Stage 15 of the "66 Lakes Trail": Lake Märkisches Meer and an inland dune - Bad Saarow to Wendisch Rietz

A grand stage in Brandenburg: The stage from Bad Saarow via Storkow to Wendisch Rietz combines elegant spa town atmosphere with surprising natural experiences. On narrow forest paths, it stretches from Lake Scharmützel, the "Brandenburg Sea," and former clay pits to one of Germany's largest inland dunes. The route leads through forests and small villages with fieldstone churches. Several lakes with swimming areas lie along the way. A long tour for passionate hikers with many highlights.

Start / Finish: Bad Saarow / Wendisch Rietz
Length / Duration: 25 kilometers / about 6 hours
Logo / route sign: Blue solid circle on a white background
Road condition / route development: almost entirely unpaved hiking trails
Course: Bad Saarow, Kolpin, Kolpin Lakes, Reichenwalde, Storkow (Mark), Dahmsdorf, Wendisch Rietz
Arrival/Departure:

• Arrival: From Berlin Hauptbahnhof take the RE1 (Cottbus) to Fürstenwalde / Spree. From here take the RB35 to Bad Saarow (approx. 1 hour).
• Check out: From Wendisch Rietz take the RB36 to Königs Wusterhausen. From here continue with the RE2 (Nauen) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (approx. 1,5 hours).

maximum height of 85 m above sea level and a minimum height of 37 m above sea level. 133 meters of ascent and 132 meters of descent are overcome.

Directions
From the train station in Bad Saarow, the path leads through the spa gardens down to Lake Scharmützelsee with its lakeside promenade, lido, and marina. At the western shore, near Fontane Park, the path leaves the water. Nature has reclaimed the old clay pits. These were excavated for brick production at the end of the 19th century and are now overgrown. The route continues through open fields, then to Lake Großer Kolpiner See with its tranquil shores and a bathing area in a light forest. A typical Brandenburg fruit tree avenue, running in a straight line between the villages of Kolpin and Reichenwalde, is another highlight of this stage. From there, it's not far to Storkow, where you can climb a 36-meter-high inland dune. Following forest paths and passing through Dahmsdorf on the shore of Lake Großer Storkower See, the trail leads back to Lake Scharmützelsee. There, on the southern shore in Wendisch Rietz, a rest area and bathing spot along the way offer one last pleasant opportunity to put your feet up before the hike ends at the train station. Attractions

• Bad Saarow: historic train station building, Scharmützelsee
• Storkow: one of the oldest cities in Brandenburg; largest inland dune in Germany, Streleburg, drawbridge and lock system, water buffalo enclosure, Church of St. Maria
• Reichenwalde and Dahmsdorf: old town centers and fieldstone churches
• Wendisch Rietz: amusement park "Scharmuntzelland"

Maps / Literature

• "66-Seen-Weg, Hikeline hiking guide", 1:50.000, Publisher: Esterbauer, Edition: 2 (2012), ISBN-13: 978-3850005012, 14,90 Euro
• "66 Lakes Hike: To the Natural Beauties Around Berlin", Trescher Verlag, 10th edition (2024), ISBN 978-3-89794-623-1, 16,95 euros