© Hans F. Meier

Neighboring Areas

of Lake Steinhuder Meer

Lake Steinhuder Meer in Numbers

32 km

Loop Path

2

Islands

32 sq km

Water Expanse

1.35 m

Average Water Depth

Steinhude

Steinhude on the southeast coast (population 4,900) gave the large inland lake its name, but that is not the only reason the people of Steinhude are proud of their traditions. In the town center, characterized by many half-timbered houses, the fishing nets, weirs, boats and peat boats nostalgically tell Steinhude's history. The Fishing and Weaving Museum, as well as the unique antique mangle for processing linen, portray the life and work of the people in Steinhude before tourism became the main source of income. Even today, some families in Steinhude make their living by smoking eel and catching fish. What originally lured visitors was a visit to an eel smokehouse.

The Barn Quarter from the mid-18th century was reconstructed for the world exhibit in 2000. Today, the Tourist Information, several restaurants, the Nature Park Information Center and the Art Gallery are located in the barns. Many markets and cultural events take place in the central plaza between the barns. In general, Steinhude is a very active town. In the summer months there is barely a weekend without a cultural, music, water sports or festive event. Behind the half-timbered facades of Steinhude's houses guests will find a variety of stores, cafés and restaurants. Steinhude’s menus offer delicious dishes for every palate, but - of course - fish specialties are in the focus. For an unforgettable moment take a walk along Steinhude's charming promenade or watch the sunset with a glass of wine or a cold beer.

Eine Luftaufnahme der Promenade in Steinhude an einem Sommertag
© HMTG - Lars Gerhardts
Die Strasse Alter Winkel im Ortskern von Steinhude aus der Luft betrachtet
© HMTG - Lars Gerhardts
Am Nordufer in Mardorf liegen viele Boote an den Stegen
© HMTG - Lars Gerhardts
Auf der Sehbrücke in Mardorf befinden sich Spaziergänger und Radfahrer
© Florian Toffel - SMT

Mardorf

Mardorf on the north shore, facing the south and the sun, is the second important recreational center besides Steinhude and is known as the place for a relaxing family vacation. The idyllic village with its 2,000 inhabitants and a carefully maintained historic town center is located in a forest and dune landscape. In Mardorf, a vacation in nature and full of sports activities can perfectly be combined. Local guest hosts offer family-friendly vacations and riding vacations. The town center is called Aloys-Bunge-Platz and is surrounded by restored half-timbered houses, a small chapel and the House of Guests (Haus des Gastes) with the Tourist Information inside. This building ensemble gives the impression of original rural architecture. There, craft and farmers markets take place on a regular basis.

Thanks to the 5-kilometer long waterside promenade all visitors can access the lake and the beautiful sand beach at White Dune invites swimmers and sunbathers to stay. The beach located a little further east at White Mountain is a true surf and kite paradise, the vast landscape called "Neustädter Land" around Mardorf is perfect for bicycle tours. Mardorf is also popular with campers, there are several camp sites guaranteeing an undisturbed and idyllic stay.          

Rehburg-Loccum

Rehburg-Loccum is an area west of Lake Steinhuder Meer and is made up of the towns Rehburg, Loccum, Münchehagen, Winzlar and Bad Rehburg. 11,000 people live here and enjoy having their homes in the middle of the rich and ever-changing landscape of the Rehburg Mountains and the Nature Park Steinhuder Meer. The town Loccum entices visitors with a Cistercian monastery from the Middle Ages. Bad Rehburg prides itself with the only maintained spa from the Romantic period, the health club for the Royal Family of Hanover, who once called Bad Rehburg the "Madeira of the North". Besides the charming park and building ensemble, the unique and diverse cultural opportunities lure visitors into spending a day in Bad Rehburg.

The exhibition "Spa Life during the Romanticism Era" in the New Bath House takes you on a journey through time to the spa and bath life of the early 19th century in Bad Rehburg and the greater European spa and bath houses. The changing exhibits on the upper floors in addition to numerous events, such as concerts, cabarets and theater productions guarantee a diverse and exciting cultural program. The Rehburg Mountains offer wonderful walking or hiking paths. In Bad Rehburg, historical promenades lead through the Rehburg Mountains and were used by Queens in the Romantic period for walks. Many times, hikers come across remnants of this historical past, such as the chapel Friederikenkapelle or the pavilion Friedrichspavillon.

 

Machen Sie eine Zeitreise in das Kur- und Badeleben des frühen 19. Jahrhundert in der Romantik Bad Rehburg
© Stadt Rehburg-Loccum
Die Klosterkirche Loccum von Außen
© Stadt Rehburg-Loccum
Das Luftbild zeigt an einem sonnigen Tag die Stadt Neustadt am Rübenberge von oben
© Jörg Müller
Einblick in das Gewölbe der Sektkellerei Duprès im Schloss Landestrost
© Duprès GmbH & Co. KG

Neustadt am Rübenberge

Neustadt am Rübenberge is formed by the city with a population of 18,000 and 33 rural towns. All in all the population adds up to 46,000. Around 90 percent of the area consist of forest and moors, heaths, marshes, meadows, fields and gentle hills, the perfect place to rest and relax. The Neustädter Land offers ideal conditions for outdoor sports and leisure activities in nature. Without any significant ascents, the paved paths lead hikers and cyclists through the landscape. Those interested in culture can follow one of the three monument routes. The moor route, for example, takes you about 50 kilometers around the dead moor and leads visitors past historical monuments.

The history of Neustadt as a residence and fortress city during the Renaissance is the theme of the guided tour through Neustadt's city center with its many half-timbered houses. The city was protected by ramparts, walls and bastions and until today the original layout of the historic city center has not been changed. The meeting point for guests is the imposing bronze lion, that sits next to the Lion’s Bridge built in 1687. The historical city tour is offered from May until October on several days. For reservations, please contact us. The cultural heart of Neustadt is Landestrost Castle built in the 16th century. Here, concerts, book readings and exhibits take place. The Peat Museum is located there as well. In the castle's garden, the 250-year-old and 70-meter long hornbeam maple hedge forms a green arch and invites you to stroll around.

Hagenburg

Hagenburg, on the southern shore of the lake, is a small town with 4,600 inhabitants. In the Middle Ages, the Counts and Princes of Schaumburg-Lippe first built the castle "Hagenborch" and later a summer palace on top of the old castle's walls. In the 18th century, Count Wilhelm had a 1.2-kilometer long trench dug out, which connected the palace to the lake, so he was able to reach his island fortress Wilhelmstein directly by boat. Even though the palace itself is in private ownership, the Rhododendron Park is open to the public. The marina in Hagenburg's canal offers enough space for guest boats as well. An eye catcher is the splendid brick Gothic church St. Nikolai built between 1869 and 1871 by the Hanoverian architect Conrad Wilhelm Hase, the Block Garden with boulders from the last Ice Age and the Moor Garden, which inhabits the flora typical for the upland and lowland moors. In the Mining Museum in the district Altenhagen, former miners of the Weser shaft show exhibits from stone and potassium mining. Starting in Hagenburg, the wetlands and the bird sanctuary in the alder swamp forest are just a short bike ride away.      

 

Drei Radfahrer fahren durch die blühende Rhododendronallee auf das Schloss in Hagenburg zu
© Florian Toffel - SMT
Das Luftbild zeigt die Stadt Wunstorf und das Umland von oben.
© BildPix.de - Fotolia

Wunstorf

Wunstorf (population 17,800) is definitely worth a short trip for guests staying at Lake Steinhuder Meer, whether it is for shopping, a stroll through the historical city center or a guided city tour. A distictive landmark is the church St. Bartholomaei, whose tower was constructed as early as in the 12th century. During the guided city tour you have the opportunity to climb the 48-meter high tower for a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding area. The church marks the entrance to the beautiful pedestrian zone. After leaving the abbey, a walk through the historical street Wasserzucht is an absolute must. Elaborately restored half-timbered houses border this medieval street on both sides. A city walk should also lead you to the hill called Stifthügel. Here looms the Roman church Stiftskirche, the city's second largest landmark. The vaulted basilica with a 36 meter tower was built between 1160 and 1180 and is known as the architectural jewel of the Middle Ages. City tours through the city center are available from May until October, please contact us for more information.

 

Großenheidorn

Großenheidorn (population 3,000) lies east of Steinhude and both towns grew together. Just a little north of the actual town in the middle of the scenic landscape on the east coast of Lake Steinhuder Meer, hides the idyllic district of Grossenheidorn-Strand called Ostenmeer. It is shaped by the large reed areas that make up the passage between the water and land as well as the cane brake islands which create canal-like passages for sailors and canoers. Several sailing clubs and exclusive homes and rental homes with direct access to the water are located on the idyllic shore.

 

Blick über die Grachten in Großenheidorn, auf der ruigen Wasserfläche spiegelt sich Häuser, Bäume und Boote
© Florian Toffel - SMT
Visit Lake
Steinhuder Meer!
21.03.2024
28.03.2024