ActivitiesCulture and enjoymentDevelopment zoneDömitzExperience natureFair weather offersMeckSN-MapMeckl-SchwerinMeckl. SchwerinMecklenburg-SchwerinMecklenburg-SchwerinPOI base entry: CategoriesPOIsProduct linesRegionsTMVTVMeckSN campaignsViewpointsWest Mecklenburgto-mv.de

Inland dune Klein Schmölen

Inland dune Klein Schmölen
There are not many natural elevations in the Elbe valley floodplain, which should certainly please cyclists. This makes the inland dunes at Klein Schmölen near Dömitz, which can be seen from afar from the Elbe riverbank road, all the more interesting. The largest inland dune in Europe rises impressively on the edge of the Mecklenburg Elbe Valley Nature Park. From its highest point, around 42 meters above sea level, visitors have a magnificent view over the Löcknitz lowlands in Mecklenburg, the Lenzener Wische in Brandenburg and the Elbe foreland on the Lower Saxony side. The fascinating dune complex with a length of a good two kilometers was formed at the end of the last ice age, around 12,000 years ago. Special climatic and very different soil conditions have allowed an extremely diverse plant world to develop here, which in turn provides a habitat for rare and protected species of birds and insects. The dune can be walked through on designated paths, and information boards along the way provide information about the special features of the geological formation. Guided tours are also offered on a regular basis.

Inland dune Klein Schmölen - Europe's largest shifting sand dune in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

On the edge of the Mecklenburg Elbe Valley Nature Park, not far from the Mecklenburg Baltic Sea coast, rises a geological natural monument of special dimensions: the inland dune at Klein Schmölen near Dömitz. With a length of around two kilometers, it is considered the largest inland dune in Europe. Formed at the end of the last ice age around 12,000 years ago, it is visible from afar from the Elbe riverbank road - an unusual sight in the otherwise flat Elbe valley floodplain.

Panoramic view over three federal states from the highest point of the dune

From the highest point of the dune, around 42 meters above sea level, an impressive panorama opens up: the view extends over the Löcknitzniederung in Mecklenburg, the Lenzener Wische in Brandenburg and the Elbe foreland in Lower Saxony. Anyone familiar with the natural landscapes of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - from Rügen to Fischland-Darß-Zingst and Greifswald - will discover a completely different, tranquil side to the state here.

Rare plants, birds and insects in a unique habitat

Special climatic conditions and very different soil conditions have given rise to an exceptionally diverse plant world on the dune. This in turn provides a habitat for rare and protected bird and insect species. The dune complex can be hiked along designated paths; information boards along the way explain the geological and ecological features. Guided tours are also offered on a regular basis.