Utecht: Hotels and Accommodation

Utecht is located directly on the shore of Lake Ratzeburg. Its waterside location defines the town’s geographical setting as well as the routes that lead through Utecht and its surroundings.

Cycling and Water Routes

The Elbe Valley–Schaalsee Circular Route runs through Utecht, which serves as an important gateway for cycling tourists. A signposted 26-kilometre cycling loop around Lake Großer Ratzeburger See also runs through Utecht and Rothenhusen.

Connections

Since 1995, the K5 road has connected Utecht via the Wakenitz with neighbouring Rothenhusen in Schleswig-Holstein. The Ratzeburg Lakes Cycling Tour can be reached by train and bus; Ratzeburg is recommended as the starting and finishing point.

Nature by the Lake

Following intensive conservation measures, otters have returned to the area on the eastern shore. The Kammerbruch is home to wet woodlands, spring-fed alder and ash slope forests, as well as wet and marshy grassland. Narrow reed beds along the shore of Lake Ratzeburg provide a habitat for Savi’s warbler, reed bunting and reed warbler.

On the Water

The waterway near Utecht and Campow supports canoe tourism. The Wakenitz can be explored from the northern shore of Lake Ratzeburg to Lübeck by excursion boat or canoe.

History

Utecht was first documented in 1230 under the name “Utechowe” in the Ratzeburg tithe register. The name Utecht refers to the village’s former existence as a Wendish circular settlement. Historically, Rothenhusen had a ferry crossing on an island at the outlet of the Wakenitz from Lake Ratzeburg.

More local pages: Rieps, Nesow, Schlagsdorf, Wedendorfersee, Thandorf, Holdorf, Groß Molzahn, Königsfeld.

For the higher-level travel overview: Amt Rehna.