Viewed from a bird’s eye view, the Große Storkower See and the skirmish lake an oversized and kilometer-long V, with the places Storkow (Mark) and Bad Saarow at both ends of the letter and Wendisch Rietz at the lower tip. We have the last ice age to thank for these lakes and also the Rauen Mountains, which are located in the immediate vicinity and are ideal for hiking.
The Scharmützelsee, also known as the Märkisches Meer, is the second largest natural lake in Brandenburg and has been voted “Germany’s favorite lake” several times.
The state-approved spa town of Bad Saarow, located on the northern shore, impresses with its spacious Wilhelminian-style architecture. The magnificent villas are lined up along the promenade. Healing mud and thermal brine as well as pretty houses with a view of the lake attracted wealthy Berliners to the town in the Golden Twenties, which has been called Bad Saarow since 1923. Today it exudes a pure holiday feeling and offers a wide range of recreational and entertainment options. Those looking for relaxation and peace will find modern spa and health facilities as well as soothing air on a walk along the lake promenade. At the same time, active water sports of all kinds can be practiced and great events are always taking place.
Wendisch Rietz is located at the southernmost tip of the Scharmützelsee. The state-approved holiday resort attracts visitors with numerous offers for a great family time. From here, the Scharmützelsee opens up to the north and to the south you come across the idyllic Glubigseen chain, which can be explored on foot or by canoe. The Scharmützelsee is also connected to the Storkower See by the Rietzer Graben and a lock enables direct shipping to Berlin.
The town of Storkow (Mark) is located on the Great Storkow Lake. Destroyed in the Thirty Years' War, the restored and over 800-year-old Strele Castle is now the cultural centre and houses the tourist information office, the visitor centre of the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park and the town library. At the same time, the castle forms an impressive historical backdrop for various events and is the starting point for great excursions into the Sielmann natural landscape of the Great Schauener Lakes.