Welcome to the Pearl of Märkische Schweiz

Because of its picturesque location between three lakes and its easy accessibility, Buckow was already a popular day trip destination and a place for summer holidays, especially for Berliners, in the 19th century. Even today, Brandenburg's only Kneipp spa can be reached quickly by train and bus from the capital in just over an hour. There are also parking spaces for your own car near the stop at the central market.

A few steps further, the Märkische Schweiz Tourist Information Centre, located in a lovingly restored half-timbered house, welcomes curious day-trippers and provides tips for initial orientation. A gallery on the upper floor, accessible by stairs, shows changing exhibitions.

Kneipp at every step

The immediate surroundings also offer plenty of leisure time: in the fragrant herb garden you will find a selection of predominantly local herbs, which health pastor Sebastian Kneipp considered particularly effective for well-being. Situated on the babbling Stöbber river and within sight of the water wheel of the historic town mill, this dreamy retreat invites you to linger. 

Anyone who wants to can try out the invigorating effect of the water at the Kneipp treadmill with handrails.

Idyllic castle park at Griepensee

The nearby castle park no longer reveals its beauty with a castle, but instead with extensive green areas and many places to take a break. The area, which was transformed from a baroque garden into an English landscape park in the 19th century, was reconstructed according to historical plans and is used as a spa park. In summer, the open-air concerts of "Klassik im Grünen" take place here, among other things. 

More than 30 marked tree species can be discovered and finally a wonderful view over the Griepensee opens up. The peace and quiet can best be enjoyed in the historic fishing hut with seating.

The turquoise Schermützelsee

After a few hundred meters you reach the strikingly clear Schermützelsee. There is a peaceful atmosphere at the jetty and at another Kneipp bathing area. Apart from the 144-year-old MS "Scherri", only two excursion boats and a few sailors and rowing boats sail on the sparkling water. Following the circular hiking trail around the lake, you go slightly uphill for about 150 m on a quiet side street past historic villas. In some places you have to overcome gradients of five to seven percent. 

You will be rewarded with wonderful views of the shimmering turquoise Schermützelsee. The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten invites you to take a break along the way with its terrace, café and restaurant - with a fantastic view of the lake, of course.

A Place of World Literature

Berthold Brecht and Helene Weigel also often enjoyed the idyllic setting of Schermützelsee. The artist couple had chosen Buckow as their summer residence in 1952 and worked in a studio house built at the beginning of the 19th century. Today's Brecht-Weigel House is one of Germany's most important literary memorials. In 1953, Brecht wrote the cycle of poems "Buckow Elegies", which deals politically with the situation in the GDR, among other things. Now the beautiful resort with its enchantingly landscaped barrier-free garden and access to Schermützelsee awaits literature lovers from all over the world, who can also see the recently opened visitor center.

The dreamy Buckowsee

The Lunapark begins right behind the Brecht-Weigel-Haus. A paved forest path leads through Buckow's second spa park and finally to the third lake on the tour. The name of the Buckowsee, like the name of the town, goes back to the Slavic settlement period - buk = beech. A covered viewing point and several seating areas offer the best panoramic view of the small town skyline with the distinctive Buckow parish church. The park also houses the adjacent Ice Age Garden, where large boulders and display boards remind us of the formative power of the last Ice Age, which formed the Märkische Schweiz and also Buckow with its lakes.

Enjoyable conclusion

Before returning to the pretty market and the starting point of the tour, a short detour to the railway museum with its local history room and adjoining Kneipp adventure garden is a good idea. These are lively places that reflect the enthusiasm of Pastor Kneipp's railway and health fans in Buckow. If you want, you can use the nostalgic museum train on weekends in the summer months to return to Berlin.

If you would like to end the tour with Buckow delicacies, choose one of the many gastronomic options around the market or town mill and enjoy watching the cozy hustle and bustle. Or how about a homemade ice cream from the ice cream basket to enjoy the view over the Buckowsee and the rolling landscape once again - that must be the much-quoted Buckow flair.