The best walks and hikes in Standortsübungsplatz Wüstenei

Groß Steinrade was incorporated into Lübeck in 1970 as part of a regional reform from Stockelsdorf. The first owner is named in 1306 as Marquard von Sandberg, who sold Groß Steinrade and Eckhorst to the Lübeck citizen Dietrich von Ahlen. Later, there were frequent changes of ownership (v. Wickede, v. Calven, v. Brömbsen, etc.) until the estate came into the possession of Henning von Rumohr in 1732. This family remained in possession of the estate until the death of the last Rumohr, General Detlev von Rumohr (1961). The house and farm have since been demolished; the approximately 150 hectare forest property has been transferred to the federal government and has been used as the Wüstenei military training area since 1965. The grave site is also located on the training ground. The pioneer units from the Trave barracks mainly use the site, but of course also the units stationed in the Hanseaten barracks (HL) in Lübeck-Blankensee. The public part of the Wüstenei, which has been separated since 1994 and is around 100 hectares in size, is a landscape conservation area and is open to the public. The Bundeswehr still uses the Wüstenei training area today, so entering the military part is prohibited. https://pzgrendiv6.de/pzgrendiv6/standorte/stouebpl-wuestenei.html

Only the eastern part (near Groß Steinrade) is freely accessible to the public and has been designated a nature reserve since 1994. The rest of the training area is still used by the German army, although apparently only rarely. Units from Lübeck and Bad Segeberg used to train there, but their locations have all been closed since the 1990s. The numerous warning signs are apparently quite new and therefore still serious. The signs on both sides show the same warning, so you can never be really sure whether you are driving in or out.

I have cycled here many times and on January 6th, 2024 I had my first meet5 hike with 11 interested people over 14 km through all areas and on all paths. I have never seen or heard of BW exercises here. So no criticism from me! Almost all dog owners adhere to the leash requirement and there is absolute silence and no traffic here. My hiking group was thrilled! She didn't know that at all. By the way, we parked in 23619 Badendorf, Zur Wüstenei. Our tour: [https://www.komoot.de/tour/1409155027]

The entire hiking area is to be judged critically! E.g.: Target practice took place on February 8th, 2023. Since the warning notices [old normal signs: military security area] were poorly set up - so no locking away - we started on the way back to be on the safe side. Outside of the area marked red on the Komoot map, very beautiful open moor and meadow landscape that is easy to walk on!

The desert is located northwest of the Lübeck motorway junction of the A 1 and A20. Most of the 386 hectare site is located in the Lübeck area, a smaller part belongs to the Badendorf community (Stormarn district). 227 hectares are protected according to the EU Flora-Fauna-Habitat (FFH) directive.

The desert at Badendorf The Bundeswehr training site "Wüstenei" near Badendorf is around 400 hectares in size. It is a protected landscape area and a "flora-fauna habitat". The area consists of around 64% grassland with various small fen depressions and ponds, and around 27% forest in various forms. The southern part is open to civilians, unless the Bundeswehr exercises. The northern part is still a security area and entry is not permitted there. (Source: outdoor-schleswig-holstein.de)

The desert egg is partly an active military training area. The southern part of it can be walked outside of practice times. Please pay attention to the warning signs. The northeastern part is a military security area and must not be entered. Please pay attention to the warning signs! There used to be one of the many manors on the site, which long ago ensured the supply of Lübeck. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://lpv-wuestenei.de/&ved=2ahUKEwj4ncDE3t7kAhVE6aQKHTLHB6AQFjALegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw3w4V5366id2A3V3Z02S2D1

Old location shooting range of the Bundeswehr