Escape the noise – along rivers and creeks around Berlin

What is the Müggelsee for the East Berliners, of course, is the Wannsee for the West Berliners. The long and wide bay of the Havel is a paradise for hikers, who can inspire for tours on the water. One of the most beautiful trails here is the signposted Havelhöhenweg, which meanders from Strandbad Wannsee always above the lake and the Havel up to the Heerstraße. On the hiking trail you can expect beautiful views and the rustic nature of Grunewald.As this hike is not a round trip, it is a good idea to arrive by public transport. That's no problem, because our route starts directly at the S-Bahn station Nikolassee. From here it goes on wide paths past the beach Wannsee before the Havelhöhenweg begins.A few meters above the lake shore, follow the signposted hiking trail. The Havelhöhenweg leads you along the big and old trees of the Grunewald. Again and again you will find beautiful viewpoints that offer you varied panoramas of the Wannsee, the Havel and the surrounding forests. After passing Lieper Bay with its small beach, you can also make a detour to the Grunewald Tower. Not only a fantastic view awaits you there, but also a cozy restaurant.Other options for a stop along the way are the Gasthaus Schildhorn on the peninsula of the same name and the ship's restaurant Alte Liebe. From the latter, it is only a short distance to the destination of your tour, the S-Bahn station Pichelsberg.

The Hellsee on the edge of the glacial Biesenthal Basin is still one of the absolute insiders' tips around Berlin. The picturesque lake north of the city lies in a wide, protected forest area and is the perfect destination for a day hike away from the city bustle of Berlin. Our tour will take you around the lake and through the beech gorge of Hellmühler Fließ. Quaint paths, few hikers and untouched forests make this circular walk the perfect tour for nature lovers.Starting point of your hike around the Hellsee is the small village Lanke. From here, our route takes you first along Lanke Castle Park and then through a quaint wetland on the western shore of Lake Hellsee. Here you walk on wooden bridges along dark pools and dead trees until the wide view over the lake opens in front of you.Directly on the shore, you follow the trail through a sparse, open forest of huge beech trees - a rarity between the typical pine forests in Brandenburg. With each step you enjoy the wide view over the lake and on the forest-lined shores.At the easternmost point of the lake, the Hellmühler Fließ flows into the Hellsee. You follow the stream to the north, where it has dug over time a narrow, deep valley in the beech forest. After crossing the valley, turn south. In a loop, it goes back to Hellsee and on its shore to the starting point Lanke.

Around Potsdam countless large and small lakes can be found and explored. The two Lienewitzer lakes are among the most peaceful waters and only a few hikers are traveling in the surrounding forests. Our route leads you through the dense forests above the popular Schwielowsee, up to the observation tower on the Wietkiekenberg and of course to the two Lienewitzer lakes.Starting point of your hike is the regional train station Ferch-Lienewitz, which is served every hour from Potsdam. From here you first hike on a forest road up to Wietkiekenberg. The name is program, because from the platform of the observation tower, you actually have a great view over the forest, the Schwielowsee and in the north to Potsdam. In a very clear view, even the Berlin TV tower can be seen in the distance.Afterwards you walk comfortably through the forest to the small Lienewitzsee. On the tree-lined shore, it continues to the Great Lienewitzsee. While you stroll along the lake, you can enjoy the view and the quiet atmosphere. From the northernmost point of the lake, you hike on a forest path back to the starting point of your hike.

The Briese, a small tributary of the Havel, has created a unique river landscape northwest of Berlin. On her journey through a dense forest she follows a wide glacier gully. The riverbed has widened here and the breeze flows very slowly. Rather, the river course resembles a broad, mystical marshland. Water plants and dead trees tower out of the dark water and on hiking trails and wooden planks you can explore the Briesetal on your own.The parking lot at the Waldfriedhof Birkenwerder is the perfect starting point for your hikes in the Briesetal. From here you follow the narrow street until it turns into a hiking trail and leads you past the small Briesesee. Shortly thereafter, you will reach the picturesque, primeval marshland. The hiking trail leads you right along the shore of the tough flowing breeze.At the Forsthaus Wensickendorf you can take a break at weekends before crossing the breeze and walking leisurely back to the starting point on the other bank.

Since the opening of the Oder-Spree Canal in 1891, the former peninsula Schmöckwitzer Werder is surrounded by water on all sides: in the west by the Dahme and the Zeuthener See, in the south by the Great Train, in the east by the Krossinsee and in the north through the Seddinsee and the canal. This makes the densely forested island one of the best places in Berlin for a long hike on the water.Starting point is the trail parking lot on the edge of the summer beach. From here you turn first to the north, look over the vastness of the Seddinsees and then follow the trail along the banks of the Oder-Spree-channel along. Dead straight, the channel runs through a dense forest. Shortly before the canal opens into the Wernsdorfer See, you leave the bank and wander south.Only a little later you can take a break in the restaurant "tree and branch". Strengthened then it goes on the wooded shore of Krossinsees further south. The natural trail leads along the water and numerous benches invite you to take a break and enjoy the view.At the beach in the south of the Schmöckwitzer Werder you follow the route a bit through the forest and the living place Rauchfangswerder over. On the shores of Lake Zeuthen you finally hike north back to the starting point of your hike.

The Löcknitztal on the eastern edge of Berlin reminds a little of the Spreewald with its alder-ruptured forests, the various branches of the river and the untouched nature - but without Touritrubel and sour cucumbers. Instead, you can explore the valley and the river on narrow trails and quiet forest trails and observe many waterfowl. Thanks to the S-Bahn and regional train you can reach the hike without your own car.Starting point of the tour is the S-Bahn station Erkner. On the Ernst-Thälmann-Straße it goes through the small town, until you cross the Löcknitz for the first time shortly after the local border. A little later you turn off the road on a narrow trail that leads you through dense forest to the riverbank. Soon you will come to a crossroads. Turn left on a comfortable hiking trail on the north bank of the small Wupatzsee, on the right you walk on a rustic trail directly along the reedy lake Löcknitz. Especially after rainy days, this variant is very swampy and sometimes slippery. Therefore, this section of the trail is especially suitable for sure-footed hikers - unless you have planned a bath in the Löcknitz anyway.After you have passed the south bank of the Wupatzsee, it goes on a wooden bridge once over the Neue Löcknitz. The Löcknitz was namely divided on this route for better navigability on two arms of the river. After a short section of the forest, you will also meet the unspoiled and untreated Alte Löcknitz, which flows peacefully through the forest at this point.Only on a forest road, then on a hiking trail, the route leads you along the edge of the Löcknitztal. Marshland and light forest alternate until you reach Karl-Marx-Straße in Grünheide. Here you turn right and after a short time you reach the station Fangschleuse. From here, a regional train will take you back to Erkner S-Bahn station.

If it is about hiking trails on the water, then the circumnavigation of the large and small Müggelsee must not be missing. Berlin's largest lake offers you on its banks varied hiking trails, nice rest stops and, above all, great views.The starting point of the tour, the S-Bahn station Friedrichshagen, you can easily reach with the Berlin S-Bahn. If you arrive by car, you can easily find a parking space on the Müggelseedamm in the amount of the old waterworks Friedrichshagen.From the train station, you first stroll along Bölschestraße and enjoy the small-town flair of Friedrichshagen. On the Müggelseedamm then it continues towards the lake. Just behind the waterworks, a path leads down to the water. On a narrow, unspoilt path you can walk right along the shore, enjoy the view of the water and watch many birds.Behind the lido, the shore is fully developed, so our route leads you through the forest at the toad pond and over the sandy Püttberge. Afterwards you cross the Spree in Hessenwinkel and follow the hiking trail to Kleine Müggelsee with its peaceful bathing beach. Shortly afterwards you will reach the southern shore of the Großer Müggelsee. The well-maintained path usually takes a few meters along the reedy banks, but in many places there are benches that invite you to take a break right on the water.Before you complete your round, it is worth a break in the restaurant Rübezahl. Strengthened you continue hiking to Spreetunnel. After you have crossed the Spree, you are back on the Bölschestraße in Friedrichshagen and can start the journey home.