Altenholz: Gut Knoop, the estate park and the towpath

When planning your trip to Altenholz, you can choose from specific historical and landscape-related themes: Gut Knoop, with its manor house and estate park, and the towpath along the Kiel Canal. Architecture, old trees and the path’s historic use each give these themes a different focus. If you’re looking for hotels in Altenholz, you can plan your stay around these interests. To explore more natural and scenic attractions, broaden your view to include the wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde.

Gut Knoop: Manor house and estate park

The Neoclassical manor house at Gut Knoop dates from the late 18th century. The estate’s history is also linked to a literary circle of the early 19th century that included Herder and Klopstock. This connection gives Gut Knoop cultural and historical significance in addition to its architectural history. The estate park is part of the historic agricultural landscape. Its old trees include a 250-year-old lime tree and a tree-lined avenue by the pond. Only parts of the park are accessible. Take this limitation into account when planning your visit to the park.

The towpath along the Kiel Canal

Another perspective opens up along the route to the estate: from the Holtenau passenger ferry, follow the towpath along the Kiel Canal to Gut Knoop. The towpath follows a historic route along which sailing ships were pulled through the canal. Its former use is part of the canal’s history. The themes of a stay here therefore differ: the manor house focuses attention on architecture and literary history, while the route highlights the canal’s former working life. Check the current path conditions on site.

Nature in the wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde

The wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde offers a broader view of the landscapes across the district. Four nature parks are located in Rendsburg-Eckernförde; much of their area consists of nature and landscape conservation areas, providing habitats for a diverse range of animal and plant life. The Westensee-Obere Eider Nature Park is characterized by numerous lake complexes in the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands. It includes Lake Westensee, covering around 7 km² and a popular destination for excursions. Kingfishers live along the Eider’s banks within this nature park. The natural attractions range from lake landscapes to habitats along the Eider.

Cycling and hiking routes in the district

The wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde offers options for cycling and hiking at different scales. The district has a signposted cycle network stretching 1,000 kilometers. The Nature Park Hiking Trail is 180 kilometers long and passes through the four nature parks. These figures are not interchangeable when planning: 1,000 kilometers refers to the cycle network, while 180 kilometers is the length of the hiking trail through the nature parks. The E1 European long-distance footpath runs through the Hüttener Berge, the Brekendorfer Wald and over the Aschberg; it is marked throughout with a white St Andrew’s cross. The Aschberg is 98 meters high and, in fine weather, offers panoramic views as far as the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and the state capital, Kiel.

Discover more destinations: Holzbunge, Noer, Büdelsdorf, Bokel, Lindau, Dörphof, Schinkel, Schacht-Audorf

Back to the overview of the wider travel destination: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.