A network of quiet paths
Three-Star-Trails
1
13-17 km
As a small homage to Theodor Fontane, the short descriptions are written in the spirit of his language.
From Menz to Neuglobsow - At Lake Stechlin
13,9 km Hiking Time: 3:37 h
Start: Bus Stop: Menz, Am Friedensplatz
Return: Bus Stop: Neuglobsow
"There it lay before us, the bay-rich lake, mysterious, like a mute longing to speak." * (Theodor Fontane)
Your path begins at Lake Roofen, its water clear, its shore imbued with quiet grace. Whoever walks here drifts into reverie. At the end lies a silent moor, and beyond, toward the Great Stechlin, an old stone path — as if fallen out of time.
A pause at the little fish hut is well worth taking, before the great lake casts its spell upon you.
Down by the water you follow the path until it turns and rises, as if to greet the lake once more, before releasing you, gently, into Neuglobsow.
What more could the soul desire?
+ Many swimming spots along Lake Roofen.
+ After 9.2 km – excellent fish eatery with lovely benches by the lake.
+ After 10.8 km – swimming spots at Lake Stechlin.
+ Good time window between arrival and departure for walking + a break (mind your timing after the fish restaurant: use Komoot’s current display of the remaining hiking time).
Theodor Fontane: Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg.
Erster Teil: Die Grafschaft Ruppin – Kapitel „Die Menzer Forst und der Große Stechlin“.
English translation (own rendering)
From Lobetal to Wandlitzsee
14,6 km Hiking time: 3:47 h
Start: Bus Stop: Lobetal, Kirche Return: Station Wandlitzsee
Cool and shaded, Lake Mechsee dreams in its quiet valley.
A pasture path winds through the wide Upstall Brook, where a few cows graze in sleepy peace. Soon you turn sharply right, into a mysterious primeval forest that swallows you in green silence.
The path, however, opens again — gliding gently along the shore of Lake Hellsee, leading you through the village of Lanke, past Lake Obersee, until Lake Liepnitzsee lies before you — clear as if cast from glass.
Only in summer, when bathers seek its cool waters, does the deep solitude give way to a brief, cheerful stir.
Four small lakes follow, strung like pearls, and so the quiet chain rounds itself to eight waters — of which only one truly awakens in summer.
+ First lovely swimming spot at Lake Mechsee after 380 m.
+ At km 7 - Restaurant Seeschloss in Lanke.
+ At km 7.3 – swimming spot at Lake Obersee.
+ In Wandlitzsee, right in front of the station, you’ll find Café/Bakery Franke.
+ If you’d like to swim in Lake Liepnitzsee: after 9.5 km keep straight on, then after 300 m turn right at the car park. Follow the south-shore path, then continue on to Wandlitz Station and return from there.
+ There are two stations — Wandlitzsee Station and Wandlitz Station — don’t mix them up!
From Karow to Schönwalde
15,2 km Hiking Time: 3:52 h
Start: Station: Karow
Return: Station Schönwalde
„Here and there a little reed and rush grows up, but no boat cuts its furrows...“ *
Through the silent world of the Karow Ponds, your companion appears — the Lietzengraben.
It moves with you at a gentle pace between pastures where highland cattle and dark water buffalo graze.
An endless wetland unfolds — with reeds, sedges, and all the birdsong life that belongs to it.
Your path leads you across forgotten sewage fields, reshaped by nature and reclaimed in wild beauty.
At last you step out of the shade, and Lake Gorinsee sparkles in the light.
A final soft forest path — and Schönwalde Station is near.
– Includes a trail section where dogs are not allowed.
+ After 11.4 km: Inn “Am Gorinsee” (game dishes; also in winter, lovely seating with a view).
+ Swimming possible in Lake Gorinsee.
– In summer, Lake Gorinsee gets quite crowded. About 300 m past the main beach, there’s a smaller, quieter one in the forest.
* Fontane, Theodor: Der Stechlin. Berlin: S. Fischer Verlag, 1899.
English translation (own rendering)
From Löwenberg (Mark) to Bergsdorf
14 km Hiking Time: 3:38 h
Start: Station Löwenberg Return: Station Bergsdorf
You descend into a cool hollow, and the mixed forest takes you into its realm.
Soon Lake Kleiner Lankesee shimmers — emerald green, as if the forest had gifted itself a gemstone.
At Lake Großer Lankesee, the lake house of Liebenberg Castle greets you through the trees; a short detour uphill is worthwhile — sculptures stand there, quiet and contemplative.
Only when you leave the deep green for the second time and wander across wide meadows does Bergsdorf appear ahead of you — a few long village streets more, and by the railway embankment you already hear it: the gentle final chord.
+ Wonderful swimming spots around Lake Kleiner Lankesee after 3.5 km.
+ More swimming places at Lake Großer Lankesee after about 8.4 km.
+ Many hiking trails intersect here, offering plenty of shortcut options.
+ Bakery in Bergsdorf.
– The stretch from Bergsdorf to the station is a bit long — plan for that.
More than 33 three-star hikes for every type of weather await you in the Wander Different Package (€15) – compact, clear, and perfectly prepared.
From Erkner to Schmöckwitz - To the Oder-Spree Canal
14,3 km Hiking Time: 3:38 h
Start: Station Erkner
Return: Tram Stop: Alt-Schmöckwitz
Like a hidden gate, a wooden frame draws you out of noisy Erkner and into another world.
The Bretterscher Graben, carved from the meadows in the 18th century to drain them, now whispers with reeds and trees as it accompanies you toward the unhurried River Spree.
Through the wild, overgrown Spreewald Path, you make your way upstream toward the road to Neu-Zittau.
Wide Spree meadows unfold; a green, overgrown hill with secret depths appears.
You follow a forest path that captivates you with its varied clearings and shifting light.
Then, at the Oder–Spree Canal, a sudden fanfare — water and light dance together in a kind of rapture, warming even the coolest heart.
A shore path to Lake Großer Seddinsee lets the mood linger a little longer, until in Schmöckwitz the tram awaits, ending the journey with a gentle chime.
+ After 13 km there are several hidden swimming spots.
+ Place to stop for food after 13.6 km at the boat restaurant Strandlust.
– Between km 3.8 and km 5.5, the trail runs alongside a busy road.
– The final third is quite frequented on Sundays (many Sunday walkers).
From Criewen to Stolpe - Lower Oder Valley
16,4 km Hiking Time: 4:13 h
Start: Bus Stop Criewen, National Park Center
Return: Bus Stop Stolpe (Oder), Mitte
„Like a vat it lies there, traversed by three arms of water — the Lazy, the Old, and the New Oder — hemmed in by hills on either side …
For miles nothing but meadows; only green expanses; here and there a pollarded willow; at times a boat gliding over one or another arm of the Oder, now and then a hay wagon or a red-tiled roof whose bright hue gleams like a spark in the landscape.” *
From the dreamy Lenné Park, the Path of Meadow Views rises and carries you high above the Oder, along a ridge with sweeping panoramas.
Beyond Stützkow it descends, and you drift out into the green depths of the valley floor.
At the end, one more hill: on top, the Stolpe Tower — farewell and vista in one.
– In the middle section there is no shade. Don’t forget sun protection.
* Theodor Fontange: Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg, Band II: Das Oderland, Kapitel Das Oderbruch
Abschnitt „Das Oderbruch und seine Umgebungen“
English translation (own rendering)
From Streganz to Kummersdorf
- Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park
16,5 km Hiking Time: 4:10 h
Start: Station Streganz, Dorf Return: Station Kummersdorf
At the village square of Streganz, you step off — and everything seems to stand still.
A picturesque path leads you past the small Lake Linowsee, loses itself in lonely forest tracks, and finally finds Lake Schweriner See, opening before you like a mirror.
A “lake path” takes you through meadows and pastures — cranes are frequent here — to the church of Selchow, and further on to Lake Großer Wochowsee.
Across soft grass you reach the observation tower, which invites you to climb — for its view will stay with you.
An idyllic nature trail to the Köllnitz fishery adds new impressions. From there, the route continues to Philadelphia and along an old towpath by the Storkow Canal, pleasantly varied all the way to Kummersdorf.
+ Swimming spot after 3.5 km.
+ Beautiful church in Selchow after 5.4 km (also a nice place to rest).
+ Observation tower after 7.7 km.
+ Place to stop for food after 9.4 km at Restaurant Köllnitz Naturgut
or just after that, on the left side of the road, at Aalhof Gödicke
+ Many lovely resting spots all along the route.
– 600 m without a marked path, crossing grassy meadows.
– Between km 9.8 and 10.8, the trail follows a cycle path alongside the road.
From Wiesenburg to Bad Belzig (Art Trail)
16,6 km Hiking Time: 4:20 h
Start: Station Wiesenburg Return: Station Bad Belzig
In the forest park, the old mixed woodland falls silent — oaks and beeches, with rare trees in between.
A winding rhododendron path lures you toward Wiesenburg Castle. Legend whispers of a princess who was promised to another.*
Along the Art Trail, sculptures mark the path for the eye and invite you to pause.
The Hoher Fläming unfolds its panorama: wide fields and gentle meadows open the horizon.
Avenues of fruit trees lead you over rolling hills, and quiet sunken paths guide you into cool, shaded forests.
+ From May to mid-June, the Rhododendron Path is a special experience when it’s in bloom.
* The park was created by the Prussian hussar Curt von Watzdorf, who brought back a great variety of rare trees from his travels.
He had the castle rebuilt from 1863 onward in the Neo-Renaissance style.
He loved a Württemberg princess, and she loved him — but she was promised to another and was married according to her rank.