The best hiking routes in Schwartautal und Curauer Moor

The Schwartautal und Curauer Moor nature reserve offers a distinct contrast between a damp, low-lying river valley and a former peat bog. Walkers will find two main landscape types here. The valley floor of the Schwartau river consists of wet meadows and alluvial woodland, while the Curauer Moor section features a re-wetted bog landscape with standing water, birch trees, and typical peat vegetation. It is a flat, gently rolling terrain rather than a place of dramatic elevation changes.

Underfoot, the paths vary significantly depending on which section you choose. The tracks running through the river valley are mostly grassy or dirt paths that run alongside drainage ditches and pastures. In contrast, the bog area features narrower, sometimes soft peat paths and wooden boardwalks designed to keep walkers above the wettest sections of the mire. You will notice old peat-cutting edges and drainage channels that show how the bog was historically used before restoration efforts began.

This area is generally quieter than the nearby Baltic coast, though the main circular paths can see regular local foot traffic on weekends. In late spring, around May, the bog section is particularly distinct when the cotton grass is in bloom, turning parts of the landscape white. It is a practical choice for those who prefer quiet, level walking through a mix of wetland habitats and agricultural edges without demanding climbs.