Kellersee and Ukleisee Lakes Loop

The Kellersee and Ukleisee Lakes Loop begins at the Seebadeanstalt Malente lido on Bahnhofstrasse in Malente, a short walk from the Malente-Gremsmuhlen regional train station in the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park. Parking is available near the lido for those arriving by car, and no permit is required to walk the route. The full loop covers 18 km with under 60 m of cumulative elevation gain across gently rolling moraine hills left behind by the last ice age, making it accessible to hikers of ordinary fitness who are prepared for a full afternoon on foot. The surface alternates between compacted gravel lakeside paths, forest tracks through beech and pine stands around the Ukleisee, and short stretches of quiet asphalt lane near village crossings; shade is plentiful along the wooded Ukleisee sections but sparser along the open Kellersee shoreline promenade. Notable landmarks include the Malente lido and boat rental at the start, the forested Ukleisee shoreline roughly a third of the way around, and the lakeside promenade approaching Eutin, where hikers get clear views across the Kellersee toward Eutin Castle. Hikers looking for a shorter outing can turn around at the Ukleisee forest viewpoint for a roughly 8 km round trip. Water is not available on the trail itself, but the lido in Malente and cafes along the Eutin shoreline sell drinks and snacks, and several public lake-access points allow a cooling swim in summer. There are no refuge huts along the route, but benches are spaced at regular intervals around both lakes. The loop can be walked in either direction; going clockwise puts the more exposed Kellersee stretch in the afternoon sun, so an early start is worth considering in midsummer.