Haby: Village History and Walking Trails

Haby combines village history with routes through a variety of landscapes. When planning your trip, you can choose between a short walk to the commemorative trees, a longer hike and a cycling loop. Local businesses also each have their own character, ranging from horticulture and regional cuisine to crafts involving wool and yarn.

Exploring on Foot and by Bike

The Groß Wittensee–Schlaukweg–Haby hike is about 8 km long and takes approximately two hours. It initially follows Lake Wittensee and passes a bathing area. Another approach to Haby takes you through the meadow landscape of the Habyer Au. Another option is to follow the trail through Haby recreational forest, where the Brobach meanders naturally. The sections described therefore differ not only in their surroundings: the hike begins beside the lake and bathing area, while the Au meadows or the forest and stream offer a different landscape. Check local trail conditions before your visit; the bathing area and water conditions may change.

Haby is also listed as a starting point for a cycling tour: the Wittensee–Goosefeld–Holtsee–North-Ostsee Canal loop names the village as one of its starting points. In addition, Rendsburg-Eckernförde district offers five long-distance cycle routes, five e-bike tours and twelve themed routes. These figures apply to the district and describe the wider regional offering, not the number of routes in Haby. When choosing a suitable tour, you can therefore distinguish between starting in Haby specifically and the district’s broader cycling network.

Commemorative Trees and Village History

You can find Haby’s commemorative trees on a short walk through the village. The Friedenseiche (Peace Oak) ensemble stands at the intersection of Eckernförder Straße and Wiehenredder. It includes a stone inscribed “Peace! 1870–71”. An ensemble consisting of the original double oak and a commemorative stone has also been preserved on the large village square. A Unity Oak stands there too; its commemorative stone recalls German reunification on 3 October 1990. The sites differ in their inscriptions and commemorative associations, providing specific stops along the walk.

Another historical trace is the partly preserved Old Church Path near Haby. It connected Haby with Sehestedt for church services and other cultural occasions. Three stepping stones still mark the path’s northern section. The account of the church path thus complements the village’s memorial sites with a link between two places; it also offers a glimpse of the path’s former use. Haby itself was first mentioned in 1283 under the historical spelling “Hagebe”. Finds from burial mounds and megalithic tombs in the surrounding area point to early human activity.

Horticulture, Cuisine and Crafts

Blumen Colmorgen is a horticultural business in Haby that has been run for five generations. Flowers and plants are grown in greenhouses. The shop sells plants and gardening supplies, and floristry services are also available. The business adds a glimpse of local horticulture to the impressions of the village square and walking routes.

The Landgasthof Haby-Krog combines modern Mediterranean cuisine with regional country cooking and serves fresh country-style dishes. Herbs from its own herb garden are used in the food, and the inn also offers handmade chocolates. According to the inn, it sources most of its vegetables and salad from organic farms in the region. The country inn is located in Haby in the Hüttener Berge Nature Park. Dishes and offerings may change; check in advance if you are planning a visit.

UnsHabyLand is dedicated to using and preserving old domestic animal breeds, including sheep and other animals. Products made from the animals are sold in the farm shop. The offerings also include sheep’s wool, hand-spun yarn and a spinning group. If you are interested in these products or crafts, check in advance for current offerings and availability.

Discover more destinations: Schönhagen, Oldenbüttel, Hohn, Osterrönfeld, Barkelsby, Brodersby, Thumby, Osdorf.

Back to the regional travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.