Steinhuder Meer

Steinhuder Meer is the largest lake in Lower Saxony, about 30 kilometers northwest of Hannover, and a favorite day trip for cyclists, sailors and families. Covering roughly 29 square kilometers but only a few meters deep, it feels like a small inland sea. You can take a boat to the island fortress of Wilhelmstein, bike the loop around the shore, try smoked eel and watch the sunset from the waterfront in Steinhude.

Where it is and how to get there

The lake lies northwest of Hannover in Lower Saxony. The main town on its shore is Steinhude, part of Wunstorf, with the resort village of Mardorf on the north shore. Hannover is the closest major city and Deutsche Bahn hub. Cycling guides name the S-Bahn station Poggenhagen as one rail option; plan the last stretch ahead. By car, Steinhude has a large car park.

Nature and history

The lake formed about 14,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. It covers 29.1 square kilometers, is about 8 kilometers long and 4.5 kilometers wide, and is only 2.9 meters deep at its deepest. The Naturpark Steinhuder Meer was established in 1974, and the lake is an EU bird sanctuary of international importance. Motorboats are banned except electric and rescue boats. On the lake sits the artificial island of Wilhelmstein, built between 1761 and 1765 by Count Wilhelm of Schaumburg-Lippe as a fortress; in 1772 one of the earliest submarines, the "Steinhuder Hecht," was launched there.

What to do

• Visit Wilhelmstein: a boat crossing takes about 25 minutes from Steinhude or Mardorf.
• Bike the loop: the round trip is about 32 kilometers, mostly off the roads and almost flat.
• Eat local: smoked eel is a regional specialty.
• Swim and sail: Mardorf has beaches, and about 5,000 sport and sailing boats use the lake. A kitesurfing zone lies on the north shore.

Boats, hours and prices (as of October 2026)

The passenger boat company runs from March 20 to October 31, according to the operator. The "Auswanderer" boat to Wilhelmstein departs daily from 10 a.m. once at least ten adults are aboard, at 10 EUR for adults and 6 EUR for children aged 4 to 13; dogs pay 2 EUR. The two-hour "Meerhopper Total" links Steinhude, Wilhelmstein and Mardorf for 13 EUR, and the 1.5-hour shoreline cruise costs 16 EUR. Boats leave from the Strandterrassen in Steinhude (Meerstraße 2) and from Mardorf (Warteweg 23). Between November 1 and March 19 boating is not allowed for nature conservation reasons. Contact: +49 5033 1721 or info@meertouren.de. English tours are not mentioned.

Practical tips

Allow a full day for the lake, or half a day for a boat trip and a walk. Cyclists should ride counterclockwise, according to bike guides. The shore is free to enjoy, and dogs may ride the boats. Access information for the boats was not available.