Nehms: Lakes, Circular Route and Farm Life

In Nehms, lakes, nature and farm life come together. There is a bathing area at Nehmser See; the walking paths at Muggesfelder See are popular with people seeking relaxation. There is also a signposted circular route, opportunities for observing nature and the Hof Hohlegruft organic farm shop. This gives you a choice of excursions by the water, a walk on foot or a visit to the farm during your trip.

Lakes and traces of the Ice Age

The lakes differ in their characteristics. Nehmser See covers 23 hectares and is very shallow, with an average depth of 2.20 metres. Muggesfelder See covers 27.1 hectares; its average depth is 9.6 metres, reaching 20.7 metres at its deepest point. The figures highlight the difference in water depth in particular. There is a bathing area at Nehmser See, while Muggesfelder See, with its walking paths, offers a destination in its own right for a walk on foot.

The formation of Nehmser See also shapes its character: it is a ribbon lake formed during the last Ice Age by meltwater that accumulated beneath the ice. Archaeological finds at the lake suggest that people used the area as hunting grounds in the Neolithic period. The finds include flint, millstones and bone remains. An excursion to the water thus brings together the landscape and early traces of human use.

On foot around Muggesfelder See

The Muggesfelder See circular route is considered family-friendly and is signposted. Check the waymarkers on site. Some sections of the route follow the edge of Muggesfelder Moor; it then runs alongside the lake through an alder carr and continues through a mixed forest dominated by beech and spruce. The route therefore passes through a variety of woodland and lakeside landscapes, rather than offering just a single view of the lake.

A bench on the southern shore offers a view of Muggesfelder See and Gut Muggesfelde. Seating may change over time; if you plan to stop at the bench, check beforehand if necessary that it is still there. Gut Muggesfelde is not accessible from the circular route. From outside, you can look into the courtyard through the main gate. Keep this boundary in mind when planning: you can view the inner courtyard from outside, but this does not include a visit to the estate.

Nature watching can also make the route interesting. Old holly trees grow in a small mixed forest southeast of Muggesfelder See. Around the lake, black woodpeckers may be seen in older European beech trees; stock doves nest in cavities made by the woodpeckers. Sightings depend on the season and are not guaranteed. So if you are primarily going out to see birds, treat them as a possible sighting rather than a sure thing.

A longer cycling route

For a cycling trip, Regional Countryside Route 1 is an option: an approximately 30-kilometre circular route through the foothills of Holstein Switzerland. The route passes through Nehms. Its section by Nehmser See follows the shore; facilities there include a bathing area, a sunbathing lawn, a jetty and a public toilet. Unlike the walking route, this trip connects Nehms with a longer cycling loop. Check the current waymarkers before setting out if you want to follow the route.

Hof Hohlegruft: Farm Shop and Visits

Hof Hohlegruft has operated an organic farm shop in Nehms since 2002. Bread, rolls and cakes are made in its own bakery. The range also includes fruit spreads and elderflower syrup, made mostly from the farm’s own fruit, as well as pork and sausage products from Angler Sattelschwein pigs. Around 70 types of cheese and about 60 kinds of fruit and vegetables, mostly sourced regionally, complete the selection. The range and availability of individual products may change.

Hof Hohlegruft is recognized as a farm animal ark and supports the preservation of endangered livestock breeds by putting them to use. This gives a farm visit an additional connection to agriculture beyond shopping. During regular opening hours, visitors can walk around the farm, pet the animals and have coffee or tea. Opening hours and visiting arrangements may change; check them before your visit.

A historical look at Gut Muggesfelde

The gatehouse of Gut Muggesfelde also tells the story of an earlier use of the estate. It dates from the mid-17th century and originally served as a riding stable and riding arena. Along with the possible view through the main gate, this story adds a historical aspect to the walk without changing the current access arrangements for the estate.

Discover more destinations: Goldenbek, Hagen, Weddelbrook, Kaltenkirchen, Todesfelde, Seth, Garbek, Bad Segeberg.

For the wider travel overview: Segeberg.