Clear air. Colorful forests. Tranquil lakes. In between, special places, warm encounters, and stories await, inspiring you to discover the Oder-Spree lake district.
Whether a short break by the water, a hike through rustling leaves, a leisurely stop for refreshments or a visit among old walls: Autumn invites you to experience the region at your own pace.
Clear air, tranquil lakes, and vibrant forests. When everyday life needs a break, hiking trails and lakeside loops invite you to take short excursions into nature. They lead to stunning vistas, peaceful shores, and cozy breaks with welcoming hosts.
The Schlaubetal valley, the Märkische Schweiz region, and the mountains around Bad Freienwalde offer a diverse range of hiking landscapes just waiting to be discovered. Lace up your hiking boots and set off: your next favorite moment often awaits just around the next bend.
Discover our hiking tips:
When the forests turn vibrant colors, the leaves rustle underfoot, and the air becomes pleasantly crisp, the most beautiful time for long hikes begins. Between the hills around Bad Freienwalde and the quiet paths of the Märkische Schweiz region, autumn can be discovered in many different ways.
Pack your hiking boots and maybe some binoculars, and set off. Whether you're aiming for a challenging summit climb or a short exploratory hike, you'll find expansive views, ancient forests, and special spots for a relaxing break along the way.
Here we present two selected hiking tours with helpful tips:
Onward to the summit!
From Falkenberg to Bad Freienwalde, the approximately 26-kilometer-long tour leads through the hilly landscape of the Oberbarnim region. Steep climbs, deep gorges, the Märkische Watzmann mountain, and sweeping views of the Oderbruch region make the hike a sporting challenge.
Nearly 1.000 meters of elevation gain and four observation towers demand stamina - and reward you with ever-changing perspectives over the Oderbruch region.
A place to stop with a view
Right at the start of the tour, a break at the Carlsburg panoramic restaurant is worthwhile. From here, a wide view opens up over Falkenberg and the Oderbruch landscape.
Refreshments and rustic regional dishes provide a suitable boost before the challenging kilometers of the summit tour begin.
Gathering prospects
The Bismarck Tower, the Owl Tower, the Ski Jump Tower, and the observation tower on Gallows Hill accompany the path through the Bad Freienwalde hills. Those who climb all four towers and have their visits recorded on their tower card receive the Bad Freienwalde Tower Diploma.
Since the towers are not open all year round, it is worth checking the current opening hours before your trip.
On a discovery tour with Stobbi
The three-kilometer discovery trail begins and ends at the Swiss House in Buckow. Nine interactive stations invite visitors to experience the nature park with all their senses.
The family-friendly tour leads through the Stobbertal valley on mostly natural paths and was specially developed for families and people with cognitive impairments.
See. Hear. Feel.
The path leads along the Töpfergraben stream to the enchanting Kleiner Tornowsee lake. Wolfsschlucht gorge, beech forest, and the tranquil Giebelpfuhl pond make this short loop a diverse nature experience.
Finally, tired feet can be refreshed in the clear water of the Stobers at the Malzmühlenbrücke bridge.
Understanding nature
The Schweizer Haus Nature Park Centre is the starting and finishing point of the Stobbi Trail. The interactive permanent exhibition "Expedition into the Märkische Schweiz" tells the story of the landscape's formation, its habitats, and the animals that inhabit the nature park.
Here you will also find the tour flyer and many more suggestions for discoveries in the Märkische Schweiz region.
A welcome break in Buckow
After exploring the area, a visit to the center of Buckow is worthwhile. Homemade soups, quiches, cakes, as well as coffee and tea await hungry hikers at Buckower Delikeiten.
The café is not a direct waypoint on the Stobbi loop, but a suitable place to stop for refreshments at the end of the trip.
Clear air, tranquil lakes, and vibrant forests. When everyday life needs a break, the lake-view trails invite you to take short excursions into nature. These short circular hikes lead to the most beautiful lakes, offer stunning vistas, and provide opportunities for relaxing breaks with welcoming hosts.
These lake-view routes and refreshment tips are intended to serve as inspiration:
A call from the reeds. A shadow over the water. A brightly colored bird among the trees. Anyone traveling in the Oder-Spree lake district can discover nature in a completely new way.
Nestled among lakes, forests, meadows, and floodplains, you'll find exceptional spots for birdwatching. With a little patience, you can spot cormorants, egrets, and kingfishers, as well as migrating cranes or a white-tailed eagle soaring in the sky.
A pair of binoculars, some time, and curiosity are all you need. Then a hike quickly becomes a quiet nature experience that will be remembered for a long time.
Nestled among lakes, forests, and expansive landscapes, special places await to be savored. Whether a cozy café, a charming country inn, a unique restaurant, or a regional farm: we introduce hosts who create moments of pure enjoyment with regional ingredients, creative ideas, and plenty of heart.
Discover our culinary gems:
Special places to enjoy food and drink, where regional cuisine and sweeping views of the water go hand in hand:
Historic walls, creative ideas and hosts who make every visit a special moment of enjoyment:
Tradition, short distances and honest craftsmanship bring the taste of the lake district to the plate:
Freshly roasted beans, genuine craftsmanship and short breaks with the scent of coffee:
Take part in the Tower Challenge and discover the Oder-Spree lake district from a lofty height. Observation towers, church steeples, and historical buildings offer ever-changing perspectives on this water-rich region and can be wonderfully combined with a hike or bike tour.
Those who climb at least three towers receive a small prize. Those who are particularly diligent can also look forward to an exclusive Oder-Spree Lakeland cap after 20 tower visits.
Since not all towers are open all year round, it is worth checking the current opening hours before your trip.
When the air becomes crisper and a sense of calm settles in outside, the perfect time for soothing warmth begins. Saltwater pools, saunas, massages, and quiet retreats invite you to leave everyday life behind for a few hours.
Discover your feel-good place to relax:
Sometimes you don't need a vacation to recharge your batteries. At the aja Bad Saarow, just one day is enough to escape the everyday routine for a few hours. Nestled in nature on the shores of Lake Scharmützel, the spacious spa and pool area invites you to swim, enjoy the sauna, and relax.
Enjoy the crisp autumn air in the heated outdoor pool, while the indoor pool invites you to swim laps or simply float. A Finnish sauna, sanarium, and steam room provide soothing warmth. Families will find their own space in the separate children's pool, and those seeking peace and quiet can retreat to the tranquil areas.
The wellness experience is also available to day guests. Whether a short break, a sunset spa treatment, or a full wellness day – the day spa offers make it easy to plan your personal break. A massage or individually tailored treatment transforms a day off into a mini-vacation.
Right on the shores of Lake Scharmützel lies a place where water, warmth, and tranquility come together. In the brine thermal baths and the expansive sauna area, everyday life can easily be forgotten for a few hours. Warm pools invite you to float, while outside, the view of nature unfolds.
In addition to brine baths and saunas, the SaarowTherme offers soothing massages and treatments. A special treasure comes from the immediate vicinity: the Bad Saarow natural moor. It is harvested in the Wierich meadows on the edge of the spa town and used for beneficial heat applications.
Whether after a hike or just in between – the SaarowTherme is a place to unwind, breathe deeply and recharge your batteries.
Right on the shores of Lake Scharmützel, a place awaits where warmth, water, and relaxation come together. Nine different saunas, cozy relaxation areas, and the light cuisine of the SATAMA kitchen make the sauna park a special getaway for those seeking peace and quiet and those who love warmth.
For many guests, the show sauna infusions in the SATAMA Theater are the highlight. Those who prefer a more tranquil experience can enjoy relaxing infusions in the Traumzauberbaude (Dream Magic Lodge) or the Stolln Sauna. Siberian rituals in the banya (Russian bath), a cocktail at the theater bar, or a good book in the library offer a variety of moments of well-being.
At SATAMA SPA, massages and beauty treatments complete your visit. A full day at the sauna isn't always necessary: these treatments can also be booked independently of a sauna visit. This way, a few free hours become a welcome break from everyday life.
Would you like to browse through the pages at your leisure, get to know the Oder-Spree Lake District, be inspired and experience something new?
Then order the Seeblick magazine now for free to your home!
