Altarm der Schwentine Nature Reserve Trail

The Schwentine altar is a designated part of the Schwentine between Raisdorf and Klausdorf. It received this protection status, because the watershed remains close to nature because of its steep bank slopes and is habitat for a number of rare plants and animals. The area is 19 hectares in size. In addition to the course of the river, it also includes an old arm as well as a tributary brook, Knicks, herbaceous banks and hillside forests as well as small bodies of water. The Schwentine Valley, where the reserve is located, was formed by a chain of dead ice fields left behind after the last ice age. After thawing initially a chain of dammed lakes and after breakthroughs the current river valley of the Schwentine was formed.

Here a narrow forest path leads directly on the banks of the Schwentine.
Sometimes not that easy to drive, but totally idyllic 😊

The approx. The 19 hectare nature reserve "Altarm der Schwentine" in the Plön district outside the gates of the city of Kiel was placed under protection in 1984. It serves to preserve the Schwentine Valley between Rastorfer and Oppendorfer Mühle as a habitat for partially endangered flora and fauna. In addition to the near-natural sections of the Schwentine, its oxbow lake and a tributary, the nature reserve includes low and medium forest areas rich in herbs, small bodies of water, kinks and grassland areas.
The reserve is known in ornithological circles for its dipper and gray wagtail, which often overwinter here, and for the kingfishers that can be regularly observed here. From a hiking trail, the Schwentine oxbow lake, the water level of which is regulated by a weir, can be easily experienced by visitors without disturbing them. Entering the area off the beaten track is forbidden for reasons of protection, dogs must be kept on a leash. It is also forbidden to ride outside the bridle path on the east bank of the Schwentine because of the impairment of the path surface.

schleswig-holstein.nabu.de/natur-und-landschaft/nabu-schutzgebiete/altarm-schwentine/03003.html