A network of quiet paths
Winter Tours
Of course, all of the three-star tours can be hiked in winter as well — you’ll find some of them here again.
This collection focuses on routes that are particularly suitable for the colder season: shorter in length, easy to reach, and ideally with a café or inn to warm up in if possible.
It’s an ideal that doesn’t always work out — but a thermos can also become a hiking highlight.
From Potsdam, past Babelsberg Castle, to Wannsee
12,0 km (or shortened: 7,9 km) Hiking Time: 3:44 h (2:30 h)
Start: Potsdam Central Station
Return: Bus stop Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz
(shortened version: Bus stop Pfaueninsel)
Babelsberg Castle
“Babelsberg Palace and little Tegel Lodge,
Nymphs, swans, and glinting sails —
Be they red brick or stone-grey walls,
You, Havel, bathe it all in blue." *
Between viewpoints and the small historical park buildings scattered through time in Babelsberg Park, the path leads you to the Italian-inspired Glienicke Palace.
From there, you continue along the Havel River all the way to Großer Wannsee.
+ Many castles along the route — magical photo spots in winter
+ At km 6,24 - Restaurant Wirtshaus Moorlake
+ At km 7,8 - Restaurant Wirtshaus zur Pfaueninsel
+ At km 11,6 - Restaurant Bootshaus Bolle
- On weekends, especially on Sundays, this close-to-the-city tour is very busy.
A classic route that doesn’t really belong here. BUT:
In winter it’s much quieter – and because castles look especially picturesque in snow and frost, this one becomes a true tip for the colder season.
– Some sections run along a cycle path
*
Fontane, Theodor: Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg.
Dritter Band: Spreeland.
English translation (own rendering)
This hike can also be ended after 7.8 km. From the ferry to Pfaueninsel, a bus runs to Wannsee station.
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)
Eight more wintry fairytale trails lie hidden here, as part of the Wander Different Package.
On the Hiking Info Page, you can discover where you’ve landed — and what makes these tours special.
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.
Along the Sacrow-Paretzer Canal
+ 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 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.
This hike is also available as a longer three-star summer tour (16.5 km): From Lobetal to Wandlitzsee
It is identical up to Philadelphia, then continues along an old towpath by the Storkow Canal to Kummersdorf.
From Lobetal to Wandlitzsee
At Lake Liepnitzsee
14,6 km Hiking Time: 3:47 h
Start: Bus Stop: Lobetal, Kirche Return: Station Wandlitzsee
Frost lies over the valley of Lake Mechsee, resting still beneath ice and mist.
A path through the Upstall Brook leads between bare willows and frozen ditches, where only the wind sweeps across the fields.
In the forest, ice crackles on the branches, and Lake Hellsee shimmers faintly between the trunks.
At Lake Liepnitzsee, the silence opens completely — the water like glass, the shores as if forgotten.
Four small lakes follow, each a mirror of its own calm, until the light fades into the final water.
+ After 7 km, place to stop for food at Seeschloss in Lanke.
+ In Wandlitzsee, right in front of the station, there’s Café/Bakery Franke.
+ Note: there are two stations — Wandlitzsee Station and Wandlitz Station — don’t mix them up!
This hike is also available as a three-star summer tour: From Lobetal to Wandlitzsee
From Basdorf to Lake Mühlenbecker See
Dammsmühle Castle
14,6 km Hiking Time: 3:46 h
Start: Station: Basdorf Return: Station Basdorf
In search of the sources of the Tegeler Fließ, you enter a quiet, almost enchanted forest.
The forest path follows the young brook; beeches wait patiently for spring, and a clearing opens for just a moment.
Then comes Lake Mühlenbecker See — wide, calm, with that kind of sheen that tells more than words can say.
A stretch of marshland, an old forest track — and the café by the station welcomes you with warmth.
The path then leads on to Dammsmühle Castle and its mill pond, which tenderly mirrors the building, as if wishing to preserve its story.
A little further along the Tegeler Fließ — by now an old acquaintance — until the circle closes and Basdorf is reached.
+ After 7.8 km: Café in the old station (Schönwalde).
(The tour can also end at the nearby new Schönwalde Station.)
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).
From Lubolz to Lübben
16,0 km Hiking Time: 4:04 h
Start: Station: Lubolz Return: Station Lübben
Before you have quite passed through Lubolz, the path turns right and leads you out into open country — across fields, wet meadows, and the narrow ribbon of the Kabelgraben.
The stream accompanies you, winding in many arms through the plain, guiding you with a constant interplay of light and water until you reach the Hartmannsdorf Lock.
Then come ponds, herons, reeds — and finally, the Spree River enters the scene, calm and of gentle dignity.
Together with the North Flood Canal and the small Berste River, you continue through a landscape drawn by water itself.
Thus you reach Lübben, the city of rivers — quiet, wide, and filled with light.
Small pond near the Hartmannsdorf Lock
+ Place to stop for food after 13.4 km: Gasthaus Lehnigsksberg.