Sophienhamm: Hartshoper Moor and Village History

Hartshoper Moor is associated with Sophienhamm. It is designated as a landscape conservation area and has NATURA 2000 protection status. Sophienhamm also offers a historical perspective on the development of a settlers’ village. This gives you two distinct points of interest to consider when planning your trip: the history of the town and the natural environment of the moor.

Hartshoper Moor: Habitats and Species

Hartshoper Moor includes raised bog, wet heathland, bog woodland, transition mires and wet grassland. The range encompasses open and wooded bog habitats. Rare bog plants such as bog asphodel, cotton grass and peat mosses grow in the restored bog. Animals found there include common snipe, red-backed shrikes, dragonflies and moor frogs. One brief seasonal highlight concerns the male moor frogs: between late March and late April, they turn blue for a few days. If you are interested in this phenomenon, you can take this time window into account when planning your trip.

Trails and Activities in the Moor

A circular trail about six kilometres long runs through Hartshoper Moor. Optional side trails along the rewetting areas allow you to extend the route. There are picnic areas at the viewpoints; benches and tables are available in some places. If these facilities are important to your plans, check their availability in advance. Cycling is permitted on the hiking trails. As trail conditions and local restrictions may change, check the current situation before setting out. Guided walks through the moor are also possible; check local availability before your trip.

To the north, a hiking trail leads directly to the Hohner See Foundation Land. Dellstedter Birkwildmoor Foundation Land lies south of Hartshoper Moor. These directions help distinguish the two landscapes.

Sophienhamm: Founding and History

Sophienhamm was founded in 1762 as the fifteenth settlers’ village in a series in the region. Over the course of its history, the town comprised 23 settlers’ farms, inhabited by 22 farmers and a teacher, together with their families. The fact that a teacher was among the settlers alongside the farmers provides an additional indication of the composition of the village community at the time.

For about 200 years, residents made their living mainly from farming and livestock raising. Some households supplemented their income by selling peat. Their livelihood was therefore predominantly agricultural, with peat sales providing additional income for only some households. The town’s history thus adds a distinct dimension to the habitats and species that characterize Hartshoper Moor.

As a point of reference, Sophienhamm is on the B202, which runs between Rendsburg and St. Peter-Ording. The historical name Oha is also associated with the area.

Cycling on a Regional Scale

The wider Rendsburg-Eckernförde destination has a signposted cycle network spanning 1,000 kilometres. This figure refers to the district as a whole; cycling is permitted on the hiking trails at Hartshoper Moor. This distinguishes a specific activity in the moor from the wider regional cycling network, without implying that the district-wide network figure applies to a particular route in Sophienhamm.

Discover more destinations: Hohn, Prinzenmoor.

View the wider travel overview: Hohner Harde.