Start / Finish: Storkow (Mark) train station
Length / Duration: 35 kilometers / approx. 2 – 3 hours
Road condition / route development: partly unpaved, partly natural paths
Course: Storkow (Mark), Groß Schauen, Selchow, Schwerin, Bugk, Wochowsee, Storkow (Mark)
Arrival/Departure:
- Public transport: RB24 or S45 to Königs Wusterhausen, then take RB36 to Storkow
- Directions: Please note that there is limited space for bicycles on regional trains; reservation is recommended.
- Cars: From Berlin via the A113, A10 and B246
Directions
From Storkow Castle to the Nature Reserve
The tour starts in Storkow at the train station. After a few minutes you reach the historic Storkow Castle. Here the visitor center of the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park offers exciting insights into the surrounding landscape: alluvial forests, wet meadows, old pine forests and quiet villages characterize the region.
South of the city, the route leads through the salt marshes, a geological highlight where saline groundwater creates unique plant life. An observation tower offers a wide view over the nature reserve - ideal for observing cranes, ospreys or sea eagles.
Culinary break and nature observation
A special highlight along the route is the Naturgut KöllnitzHere, the Köllnitz fishery offers sustainably caught fish, which can be tasted in the farm shop, at the snack bar or in the Köllnitzer Hofküche restaurant. There is also the Sielmann Forum with an interactive exhibition on site, as well as a nature trail that leads to Selchow observation tower The short detour (approx. 45 minutes there and back) is worth it: from above you can enjoy fantastic views of the chain of lakes and its birdlife.
From the desert back to Storkow
We continue towards Bugk, where a special natural phenomenon awaits: the Bugker SaharaThe sandy, open area impresses with barren areas, ancient pines and rare plants. East of Bugk, the Große Wucksee - perfect for a quick refreshment at the hidden natural bathing spot.
The last stage of the tour leads back to Storkow to the Waltersberge inland duneThe 70-meter-high dune was created by wind drifts after the last ice age and offers an impressive panoramic view. An adventure trail provides information about this special habitat, where the rare ant lion can be observed.
Finally, the Storkow beach at the Storkower See with a refreshing dip or the nearby “Restaurant am Weinberg” with homemade lemonade – the perfect end to a relaxing bike tour.
Sights:
- Storkow (Mark): Storkow Castle, salt marshes, Waltersberge inland dune, Storkow beach
- Groß Schauen chain of lakes: Naturgut Köllnitz with fishing museum, nature trail and observation tower
- Bugk: Bugker Sahara, natural bathing areas at Bugker See and Großer Wucksee
Refreshment tips:
- Naturgut Köllnitz: Restaurant "Köllnitzer Fischerstuben", farm shop and snack bar
- Storkow (Mark): Restaurant am Weinberg, Café Burgstübchen, Altstadtcafé with homemade ice cream
Bathing tips & Co.:
- Storkow (Mark): lido at Lake Storkow with snack bar
- Groß Schauner See: small bathing area west of Groß Schauen
- Dobrasee: two small bathing areas
- Bugker See: bathing area near Schwerin
Seasonal calendar nature observation – don’t forget your binoculars!
- January – March: wintering Nordic geese, arrival of cranes, courtship of moor frogs in the first warm days of March
- April – June: Arrival of ospreys. Bitterns call, cranes and greylag geese breed, arrival of many breeding birds (black and red kites, red-backed shrikes, golden orioles, thrush, reed and sedge warblers), flowering broad-leaved orchid.
- July – September: Osprey and crane chicks are fledging, autumn migration of lapwings and ducks
- October – December: Arrival of Nordic geese, lapwing migration
- all year round: Sea Eagle If you are interested in more background information on nature conservation and landscape management in the Groß Schauener Seenkette area, you can find it at the Dahme Heideseen Nature Park, the Mittlere Oder Landscape Conservation Association or the Sielmann Foundation.
