Liesbüttel and Steenfeld lie in the quiet heathland of central Holstein, right on the Kiel Canal. You should not expect big sights of their own here, but you do get a very special location: just outside, huge ships glide through the world’s busiest artificial waterway, a historic chain ferry tells of the canal’s past, and all around, meadows, water and trails invite you to breathe out. Liesbüttel, by the way, is the village where our guesthouse stands.
Proud village of Steenfeld
inhabitants
And rumour has it there are more cows than people here, but during every count the cows wander off in all directions, so the true number is bound to stay a secret of the heath forever.
Liesbüttel & Steenfeld at a glance
- Liesbüttel is a hamlet of the municipality of Steenfeld, right on the Kiel Canal
- Steenfeld has around 309 inhabitants, district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde
- On the canal around kilometre 40, between Heide, Rendsburg and Itzehoe
- Only about 3 kilometres from Hanerau-Hademarschen, around 18 km from Heide
- A municipality of roughly 11.6 km², on low heath hills by the Gieselau
- Other hamlets: Fischerhütte, Pemeln, Spann, Schnittlohe and Wilhelmsburg
- Free canal ferries at Fischerhütte and Oldenbüttel on the doorstep
- Fully connected to fibre-optic internet since 2020
- This is where our guesthouse Nord-West 1700 is located
Right on the Kiel Canal
The last surviving chain ferry of the Kiel Canal now stands as a walk-on technical monument on the south bank at Fischerhütte. Built in 1950, it pulled itself from bank to bank on a chain lying on the canal bed until 1990. A staircase lets you step aboard and experience a piece of canal history up close.
Here you can see the big ships almost close enough to touch, at a quiet, relaxed spot with a snack kiosk and seating right by the water. Around 30,000 ships pass through the canal each year, here without the crowds of the better-known spots.
The little ferry takes you across to the other bank free of charge, daily from early until late. The free crossing goes back to an imperial promise of 1895 and still applies today, a lovely short boat trip in between.
Oldenbüttel lies exactly in the middle of the canal, equally far from the North Sea and the Baltic. At the passing place, one of twelve along the canal, you can watch large ships meet and overtake.
There is also a free ferry across the canal at Oldenbüttel. A cycling tour along the water combines nicely into a little ferry round trip.
Gieselau, nature and water
The Gieselau canal, just 2.8 kilometres long and dating from 1936/37, links the river Eider with the Kiel Canal. The historic lock with its steel bascule bridges is a fine piece of engineering and the gateway to the quiet meadow landscape towards Aukrug nature park.
A few metres above the Gieselau lock there is a generous, barrier-free fishing spot, a quiet place for relaxed hours by the water.
Around Steenfeld and Oldenbüttel stretches a wide landscape of meadows and water meadows, with streams, meadow birds and plenty of calm. Ideal for walks and birdwatching.
Active: cycling, riding and walking
- The Kiel Canal cycle route, a 325-kilometre flat long-distance trail, runs right through Steenfeld
- The canal bridle path and riding and pony farms, for example at Fischerhütte
- Quiet walking and nature trails along the canal and the water meadows
- Fishing on the canal and at the Gieselau lock
A look into history
The name Steenfeld simply means “stone field”, and the village coat of arms shows exactly that: three green fieldstones above a blue bar that stands for all the water around. Besides Liesbüttel, the hamlets of Fischerhütte, Pemeln, Spann, Schnittlohe and Wilhelmsburg also belong to the municipality, most of them small, rural settlements. Tourism plays an important economic role, and the popular pony farms in particular draw holidaymakers. The school and kindergartens are in nearby Hanerau-Hademarschen. The most fascinating piece of history, though, lies by the water: the Fischerhütte chain ferry linked the two banks until 1990 and is today the last surviving example of its kind along the whole canal.
Worthwhile destinations nearby
The neighbouring village with traces of Theodor Storm, the Hanerau estate and a working watermill. Our own place page covers all its sights in detail.
The impressive railway and road high bridge spans the canal at a dizzying height. On the south side a cycle and footpath offers a great view of the ship traffic.
An archaeological open-air museum with reconstructed Stone Age settlements and original megalithic tombs, an exciting destination especially for families.
The most important megalithic tomb in Dithmarschen, with the largest capstone in Schleswig-Holstein, freely accessible in a park-like grove of lime trees.
The mighty railway high bridge with its suspended transporter ferry is a technical landmark on the canal, along with the ship greeting station and the old town.
A wide Ice Age landscape of woods, heath and ponds, from the Boxberg viewpoint to numerous walking and cycling routes.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Liesbüttel and Steenfeld?
Does Liesbüttel belong to Steenfeld?
How many inhabitants does Steenfeld have?
Is it true there are more cows than people?
What is the Fischerhütte chain ferry?
Can you visit the chain ferry?
Are the canal ferries really free?
Where can you best watch ships?
How many ships use the canal?
Can you go fishing on the canal?
Is the area around Steenfeld good for cycling?
Can you go horse riding here?
What is the Gieselau lock?
What can you do in Liesbüttel and Steenfeld with children?
Is the region worth a visit with a dog?
What can you do when it rains?
How do I get to Liesbüttel and Steenfeld?
How far is it to the North Sea?
What is the landmark of Steenfeld?
What does the name Steenfeld mean?
Which hamlets belong to Steenfeld?
Are there pony farms in Steenfeld?
Is there fast internet in Steenfeld?
Is there a school or kindergarten in Steenfeld?
Are there sights here, or mainly nature?
Is it worth visiting at all if the village is so small?
Where can I stay nearby?
What day trips are there in the area?
Stay right in the middle of it
Would you like to experience the Kiel Canal and the quiet heath at your own pace? Our guesthouse is right here in Liesbüttel, with a hearty breakfast and first-hand tips.
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