A network of quiet paths
From Potsdam to Wannseee - Via the Belvedere
12,2 km Hiking Time: 3:09 h
Getting there via Potsdam:
Take tram 92 (direction Potsdam, Kirschallee) from the main station and ride to the stop Potsdam, Am Schragen.
Return:
Bus stop Pfaueninselchaussee/Königstraße (direction Wannsee — a short ride).
High on the Pfingstberg, the small jewel of the Belvedere awaits you.
After descending on the far side, you pass Cecilienhof Palace and reach the Wannsee.
Cross the Glienicke Bridge, then follow the lakeside promenade with views of Pfaueninsel until you arrive at the bus stop Pfaueninselchaussee/Königstraße.
+ Refreshment stop after 5.5 km at Wirtshaus Moorlake
+ Swimming opportunity at Heiliger See: after 2.37 km, turn right twice
+ Worth a visit: Belvedere and Schloss Glienicke
- Very busy on weekends!
More than 33 three-star hikes for every type of weather await you in the Wander Different Package (€15) – compact, clear, and perfectly prepared.
Löcknitztal - A Circular Route
11,8 km Hiking Time: 3:00 h
Start: Station Fangschleuse
Return: Station Fangschleuse
"The Löcknitz is one of those many little waters in our Mark that, suddenly emerging from a marsh or a lake, draw a ribbon of parkland through our sandy and heathery countryside for a short distance. Among all these little waters, none is perhaps more charming and at the same time more unknown than the Löcknitz, which, coming from the Rotes Luch, disappears into one of the lakes between 'Erkner' and the Rüdersdorf limestone hills.
Always the same props, of course; and yet, for anyone traveling here in the late afternoon along the borderline between forest and meadow, a series of the most graceful landscapes unfolds. Here, the forest presses in from both sides and narrows the passage; there, it recedes, and the narrow strip of meadow becomes either a field or the little river itself widens into a pond, where silent water lilies float in the glow of the setting sun.” *
From Fangschleuse station, you follow the Löcknitz on a contemplative circular walk, rich in variety and quiet beauty.
+ Good resting spot after 6.8 km on a bench near Klein-Wall.
+ Short journey there and back.
– No restaurant or café along the route.
However, there is a Greek restaurant, Dionysos right at Fangschleuse station..
* Theodor Fontane: Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg. Vierter Band: Spreeland.
Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz, 1882, Kapitel „Kienbaum“.
English translation (own rendering)
From Löwenberg (Mark) to Bergsdorf
Shortened Version
12,2 km Hiking Time: 3:09 h
Start: Station Löwenberg Rückfahrt: Station Bergsdorf
You descend into a cool hollow, the mixed forest drawing you into its realm. Soon the Kleine Lankesee glimmers—emerald green, as if the woods had gifted themselves a gemstone.
At the Großer Lankesee, where the lake house of Schloss Liebenberg greets you through the trees, a short climb is worth it: sculptures wait there, quiet and contemplative.
Only when you leave the deep green for the second time and cross wide meadows does Bergsdorf appear ahead of you. A few long streets more—and along the railway embankment you already hear it: the gentle final chord.
+ Beautiful swimming spots around the Lake Kleine Lankesee after about 3.5 km.
+ More swimming spots at the Lake Großer Lankesee after roughly 5.5 km.
+ Many hiking paths intersect, offering plenty of shortcut options. You may also consider returning to Löwenberg to avoid the long sunny stretch near Bergsdorf.
+ Bakery in Bergsdorf.
- The stretch from Bergsdorf to the station feels a bit long — plan for that.
From Nikolassee to Pichelsberg - The Havelhöhenweg
12,8 km Hiking Time: 3:20 h
Start: S-Station Nikolassee
Return: S-Station Pichelsberg
The Havelhöhenweg:
Through the Grunewald to the first rise with views over the Wannsee. A coastal-style trail with plenty of ups and downs — some even say there’s a hint of the Côte d’Azur in the air.
Gentle hills and valleys, very charming throughout.
Follow the Postfenn Trail to reach the S-Bahn station Pichelsberg.
+ Short and easy to reach
+ Swimming spots after 3.08 km and 6.23 km
+ Best picnic spot after 5 km, with a view of Lindwerder Island
+ Food stop at “Alte Liebe” after 10.5 km (summer only)
– Close to the city, so very busy on weekends
Tip: Start before 10:00 (the earlier, the better) for a relatively quiet experience.
From Marquardt to Werder
14,1 km Hiking Time: 3:34 h
Start: Station Potsdam, Marquardt
Return: Station Werder
“In general, it can be said that a line drawn with a ruler is devoid of scenic charm, yet every rule has its exception…” *
One such exception is the Sacrow–Paretz Canal.
After the enchanted castle park of Marquardt, it accompanies you — silent, straight, and yet with a peculiar dignity. Its water lies still, as if it knew the beauty of order.
Then the landscape opens up. A chain of lakes sparkles beside you: Lake Schlänitzsee, the Wublitz, Lake Großer Zernsee — a ribbon of light that shines even on gray days.
Beside the Golmer Luch meadows, your path continues until you reach the broad expanse of the Havel, where sky and water meet.
And as you cross the bridge into Werder, the quiet splendor of this Märkisch landscape once again lies at your feet.
+ Varied landscape with wide, open views.
+ Resting spots after 9.15 km (a bench after the Wublitz bridge), and a seating area after 10.4 km by the side canal.
– About two-thirds of the hike runs along a cycle path.
– No places to stop for food along the way.
*
Fontane, Theodor: Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg.
Vierter Band: Spreeland.
Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz, 1882, Kapitel „In den Spreewald“.
English translation (own rendering)
This hike is also available in a longer three-star version: from: From Marquardt to Potsdam Sanssouci.
From Atlandsberg to Strausberg (Shortened Version)
14,2 km ((ferry distance not included) ) Hiking Time: 3:35 h
Start: Bus Stop Atlandsberg, Buchholzer Allee
Return: Station Strausberg Stadt
The forgotten avenue remains a timeless classic of beauty. Like a secret entrance, it leads you into the forest’s shade, where in its cool depths Lake Bötzsee awaits your arrival.
Later you head straight for Lake Straussee. The little ferry carries you over to Strausberg and does not bother to ask whether you’ve seen Lake Fängersee.
+ Beautiful swimming spots after 7.6 km at Lake Bötzsee (shaded side).
+ More swimming spots at Lake Straussee after 12.9 km (just before the ferry).
+ The ferry runs every 30 minutes in summer.
- First 500 m run alongside a road.
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 gate into silence, a narrow path leads you out of Erkner.
The Bretterscher Graben, a whispering brook in summer, now rests beneath ice and reeds — only the wind still plays among the stalks.
The Spree River receives you quietly, its flow dull like tin.
Between Neu-Zittau and the wide winter meadows, the world seems forgotten — the light subdued, the sky distant.
At the Oder–Spree Canal, water, ice, and sky merge into a single silvery breath.
The path to Lake Seddinsee stretches on a while longer through the hush.
In Schmöckwitz, the tram awakens — as if from a long dream.
+ Place to stop for food after 13,6 km at the Schiffrestaurant Strandlust.
- Between km 3.8 and km 5.5, the trail follows a cycle path alongside a busy road.
– The final third is quite frequented on Sundays (Sunday walkers).
This hike is also available as a three-star summer tour:: From Erkner to Schmöckwitz.
From Streganz to Storkow - Nature Park Dahme-Heideseen
14,4 km Hiking Time: 3:39 h
Start: Station Streganz, Dorf Return: Station Storkow (Mark)
In Streganz, you step off the bus — it hesitates a moment before pulling away without you. Welcome to the quiet.
Past the small Lake Linowsee, where a few ducks draw circles, the path leads into the forest — dripping ferns, soft moss, and a few mushrooms gazing in wonder, as if humans were rare visitors here.
Lake Schweriner See opens wide and calm, as if to show that even the cold season can shine.
Beyond Selchow, with its little church, wet meadows lead you to the observation tower, whose view stretches far across the lake.
A narrow nature trail brings you to the Köllnitz fishery — a fine place for a long rest.
Then the path continues through Philadelphia to an old salt road, where the Luch meadows enchant with their simple grace.
A small drainage ditch keeps you company, like an old friend.
And finally, Storkow appears — a sign, a touch of wind, a little station.
The train is already waiting.
+ After 3.5 km: a lovely bench for a break (a swimming spot in summer).
+ Beautiful church in Selchow after 5.4 km (also a nice resting place).
+ 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 beautiful resting spots all along the route.
– 600 m without a marked path, crossing grassy meadows that can be very wet.
– Between km 9.8 and 10.8, the trail follows a cycle path alongside the road.
From Buch to Schönwalde
15,3 km Hiking Time: 3:53 h
Start: Station: Buch Return: Station Schönwalde
From the Buch Palace Park, the path leads you out into open land.
The Panke River accompanies you between alders and willows, then light birch forests follow.
At the granary of Hobrechtsfelde, a calm lingers as if everyday life had quietly departed.
Water buffalo graze on the meadows, lending the Mark a touch of the exotic.
Soon the Schönower Heath opens up. From a small viewing hill, your gaze drifts across sandy plains and islands of juniper before the path dips back into the green, until Lake Gorinsee lies before you.
A mossy forest trail finally brings you to Schönwalde — a quiet ending.
At Lake Gorinsee
+ After 11,4 km: Inn Am Gorinsee (game dishes; also in winter, lovely seating with a view).