Schmalensee: Lake, bathing area and history

The lake, bathing area, local history and cycling offer different perspectives on Schmalensee. If you are looking for a hotel in the area, first consider which of these interests will shape your stay: time by the water, historical traces or a bike ride. This helps put the local themes into context without conflating them.

Lake and bathing area

Schmalensee lies west of the village and covers approximately 90 hectares. It is part of the Bornhöved chain of six lakes and also belongs to the Wankendorf lake district. Bornhöveder See lies directly south of Schmalensee; a canal about 100 metres long connects the two lakes. These geographical relationships give you an overview of the lake landscape that shapes the village.

There is a public bathing area on the eastern shore of Schmalensee. Its facilities include a large sunbathing lawn, benches and a sandy beach. A jetty with a small water slide, toilets, a designated shallow-water area and play equipment round out the facilities. This bathing area therefore offers spaces on the shore as well as opportunities to play and spend time by the water. Check the current conditions on site before visiting.

The planned Schmalensee Trail

The former village eco-educational trail is to be renamed the Schmalensee Trail. The planned route is to feature nature and history stations, including topics such as the lake, hedgerows, meadows and an orchard. Other topics include a peace oak with a memorial stone, an ice cellar, a burial mound, a dairy and a war memorial. The planned concept thus brings together landscape features and stations on local history.

The status is time-specific: as of 14 March 2026, the first signposts had been put up, the official opening was still pending and not all the signs had yet been installed. The stations should therefore be understood as planned features of the Schmalensee Trail.

Historical traces and cycling

The earliest documented mention of Schmalensee dates to 21 October 1296. Another historical date is 25 January 1343: a document records that Counts Hinrich and Nicolaus transferred their feudal overlordship of Schmalensee to Preetz Monastery. The two dates mark different points in the documented history of the village.

Cycling offers another way to experience the area. A signposted section of the 530-kilometre Mönchsweg runs through Schmalensee between Bornhöved and Stocksee. The long-distance cycle route links cycling with the region’s medieval Christian heritage and historic churches. This route offers a different perspective from the planned Schmalensee Trail, with its local nature and history stations.

More ideas in the wider Segeberg destination

The wider Segeberg destination offers additional nature and culture experiences. Segeberger Forst covers 40 square kilometres and offers a wooded setting for nature-focused excursions. In Bad Segeberg, the Alt-Segeberger Bürgerhaus Museum presents the architectural and residential history of a house dating from 1541, as well as an exhibition on the city’s 800-year development.

Also in Bad Segeberg is St Mary’s Church. Built in 1156 from fired clay bricks, it was the first brick church of its kind north of the Elbe and the first basilica with a vaulted ceiling. These regional examples add their own themes from the wider destination to Schmalensee’s historical connections.

Discover more destinations: Lentföhrden, Garbek, Seth, Norderstedt, Bad Bramstedt, Bühnsdorf, Todesfelde, Sülfeld.

Back to the wider travel overview: Segeberg.