The best city hikes and walks around Wohldorfer Wald

Origin and Function The lock pond is not a natural lake, but a dammed section of the Alster River, created by the construction of the lock and weir. The Poppenbüttel Lock was built in the 18th/19th century to regulate the water level and facilitate shipping on the Alster. The weir dams the Alster upstream, forming the present-day lock pond. The pond served as the upper reach of the lock and as a buffer during floods. Hydrological Significance Calming the current upstream of the lock Compensating for water level fluctuations Sediment trapping and creating an ecological still-water zone within the otherwise flowing Alster system Landscape-Ecological Today, the lock pond is: a structurally diverse still-water area with reeds and riparian vegetation, a habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, and fish, part of the historical cultural landscape of the Alster Valley.

The Historic Heart of the Walddörferbahn The Volksdorf U-Bahn station is much more than just a stop – it's an architectural landmark and the central hub in Hamburg's northeast. Architectural Highlight: The striking station building with its clock tower was designed by the renowned architect Eugen Göbel and built between 1912 and 1920. It embodies the classic style of the Hamburg elevated railway and is a listed building. The Major Interchange: Volksdorf is where the U1 line splits: one branch continues to Ohlstedt, the other to Großhansdorf. Look out for the historic signalman's hut on the platform – a great photo opportunity! Newly Renovated (2025/2026): As part of the major "Volksdorf Bridges" project, the surrounding bridge structures were comprehensively modernized by the end of 2025 to preserve the historic fabric for decades to come. Gateway to nature: From here you can reach the moorland hiking trail in just a few minutes, which leads you directly to the Rittmeisterkoppel and the Lottbeker reservoir.

The U1 subway line runs here, with which you can reach Hamburg Central Station in about 35 minutes

Today, the operating practice of the subway in Volksdorf is such that every second subway train coming from the city alternates between Ohlstedt and Großhansdorf. Since the basic frequency is 10 minutes, trains on the branches run every 20 minutes. During rush hour, the frequency on the branches can be increased to 10 minutes, even though the Großhansdorf line is still single-track. During late-night rush hours and early mornings, when the U1 only runs every 20 minutes anyway, the train generally continues to Großhansdorf. A little later, a train arrives from the reversing track, which travels to Ohlstedt two minutes after the Großhansdorf train. In the opposite direction, the train coming from Ohlstedt stops in Volksdorf, while at the same time a train arrives from Großhansdorf and continues towards Norderstedt Mitte. Up until the 1980s, it was common for trains coming from the city to be cut short in Volksdorf. This practice is no longer used because the costs for additional personnel exceed the energy costs for longer trains to their final destinations. Likewise, train splits (similar to the airport S-Bahn in Ohlsdorf) generally do not occur in Volksdorf. There are reversing and siding tracks both north and south of the subway station. https://www.u-bahnnetz-hamburg.de/station/volksdorf

A subway station that stands out in every way. It has three tracks, has had two platforms since its inception, and an impressive station hall made of concrete and stone. Volksdorf is considered one of Hamburg's most desirable residential addresses, as this district offers a wealth of greenery and nature, yet is still excellently connected to the city center by the subway. By 1900, Volksdorf was already one of the larger villages in this area and was an exclave of Hamburg. On September 29, 1904, the village was connected to the railway network by the Altrahlstedt-Volksdorfer Kleinbahn. The Volksdorfer Kleinbahn station was located west of the current subway station in the area where the weekly market is now held. Although there was now a transport infrastructure, the city of Hamburg wanted to remain independent and aimed to build its own railway with the construction of the Walddörferbahn. In 1912, excavation work began along the entire length, from Barmbeck to Volksdorf, as well as to Ohlstedt and Großhansdorf. Between Volksdorf and Ohlstedt, the line was to run directly alongside the narrow-gauge railway, which had only been extended there in 1907. Starting in 1914, Volksdorf station with its large hall was built. By 1918, the structural works were completed and all the tracks laid. Only the electrical equipment was still missing. On September 12, 1918, provisional steam service began from Barmbeck (now Barmbek) - Volksdorf - Wohldorf-Ohlstedt (now Ohlstedt). https://www.u-bahnnetz-hamburg.de/station/volksdorf

It was formerly a chamber lock with two weirs, of which only the upper weir remains today. The lower weir, which closed off the chamber lock, was located where the Bäckerbrücke (Ring 3) now crosses the Alster. From the 15th century to the early 20th century, the lock, with its lock function, was part of the Alster shipping route, which was of great importance for Hamburg's urban development.

The Poppenbüttel Lock on the upper Alster in Hamburg-Poppenbüttel serves to regulate the water level of the Alster.

A beautiful place to observe waterfowl.