Bönebüttel: Nature, Climate Forest and Local History

For a trip to Bönebüttel, forests, nature conservation and local history take centre stage. The newly established climate forest lies where the Brammerau and Schwale rivers meet; Bönebütteler Gehege and Fledermauswald add older woodland sites and specific measures to support amphibian habitats. The documented mention of Bönebüttel and Husberg also provides a firm historical date for the area.

The Young Climate Forest

During the planting event in March 2026, 7,500 saplings were planted across around 1.8 hectares where the Brammerau and Schwale rivers meet in Bönebüttel. The climate forest is young and will change over time. It is planned as a future mixed broadleaf forest, with pedunculate oaks, hornbeams, small-leaved lime trees, wych elms, alders and ash trees. The mix of species describes the intended direction of the forest’s development.

The climate forest is freely accessible to the public and open for exploratory walks, quiet visits or a small picnic. As the new woodland develops, access arrangements may also change; check them before your visit.

Woodland and Nature Conservation

Bönebütteler Gehege is a historic woodland site in the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands natural region. Bönebüttel lies immediately west of the Bönebütteler Gehege Special Area of Conservation. Fledermauswald, a one-hectare stand of old beech trees, lies in the Schwale lowlands near Bönebüttel and forms part of the Bönebütteler Gehege Natura 2000 site.

Nature conservation work in the Schwale lowlands aims to improve habitats and spawning waters for great crested newts. Two additional spawning waters have been created on the southern edge of Bönebütteler Gehege, next to Fledermauswald. Alongside the woodland sites, the protection of amphibian habitats is therefore another concrete nature conservation focus in the area.

Local History and Architecture

Bönebüttel and Husberg were first mentioned in a charter dated 11 July 1141. A much later example of architecture is the farmstead at Bönebütteler Damm 158, which dates from the late 19th century. The charter and the farmstead mark two widely separated points in the area’s history.

In the wider Plön destination

The wider Plön district lies between the Baltic Sea and the Holstein Switzerland region and has around 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. The district includes around 80 lakes, including Lake Großer Plöner See, covering 29 km², and Lake Selenter See, covering 22 km². Large parts of the district belong to Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, which covers 75,000 hectares and offers opportunities to enjoy nature as well as see rare animals.

The district’s Baltic Sea coast offers places to swim from Mönkeberg to Sehlendorfer Strand. Sailing, windsurfing, diving, boat excursions, offshore sailing trips, cutter trips and surf fishing are also possible along the coast; specific operators and dates may change. The district’s gently rolling landscape is suitable for cycling and hiking. The options also include a signposted 850-kilometre cycling network and developed Nordic walking routes. Check the current route details before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Martensrade, Schrevenborn, Höhndorf, Schlesen, Nehmten, Barmissen, Rastorf, Probsteierhagen

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