Brandenburg is the federal state that entirely surrounds the city-state of Berlin without containing it, stretching from the Baltic-facing Uckermark lake district in the north to the Lusatian mining lakes in the south. Its capital, Potsdam, is home to the UNESCO-listed Sanssouci Park and Palace, once the summer residence of Frederick the Great. Beyond Potsdam, Brandenburg is a patchwork of glacial lakes, pine forests, and slow rivers, including the UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve, where villages are still reached by flat-bottomed punting boats through a maze of canals.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Hagelberg Circuit, Naturpark Hoher Fläming
A circular walk to the summit of the Hagelberg (200m), Brandenburg's highest natural point, in the rolling glacial moraine hills of the Hoher Fläming Nature Park south of Potsdam. The route passes through beech forest and open farmland with views unusually long for such a flat state, and the surrounding Sternenpark Hoher Fläming is one of Germany's officially certified dark-sky reserves.
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2
Wolfsschlucht Trail, Märkische Schweiz
A scenic loop through the Märkische Schweiz Nature Park near the town of Buckow, an area of unusually hilly terrain and small lakes nicknamed 'Brandenburg's Switzerland.' The Wolfsschlucht (Wolf's Gorge) section descends through a narrow, forested ravine before the trail continues around the Schermützelsee lake.
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3
Criewen Wetland Trail, Lower Oder Valley National Park
A flat wetland trail through the Nationalpark Unteres Odertal (Lower Oder Valley National Park) along the German-Polish border, starting from the national park's visitor centre in Criewen. The floodplain habitat is one of Germany's best areas for observing migratory birds, particularly cranes and geese in spring and autumn.
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4
Lehde Village Walk, Spreewald
A flat walking path connecting Lübbenau to the tiny floating village of Lehde, where houses are still reached mainly by canal. The path runs alongside the Spreewald's canals through alder forest, offering a walking alternative or complement to the area's famous punting boats.
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5
Liepnitzsee Forest Loop, Naturpark Barnim
An easy forest loop around the Liepnitzsee, a clear lake within the Naturpark Barnim north of Berlin, with an island (Großer Werder) accessible by a small ferry in summer. A popular half-day walk combining forest, lake views, and swimming spots.
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6
Werbellinsee Forest Trail, Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve
A shoreline and forest trail around part of the Werbellinsee within the Schorfheide-Chorin UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest continuous forest areas in northeastern Germany, known for ospreys and other birds of prey.
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7
Grumsiner Forst UNESCO Beech Forest Trail
A walking trail through the Grumsiner Forst, part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe' listing, protecting one of the largest unmanaged beech forest areas in northern Germany.
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8
Rheinsberg Lakes Forest Walk
A shoreline walk around the lakes beside Rheinsberg Palace in the Ruppiner Seenland, combining forest and lake scenery with views of Frederick the Great's youthful residence, considerably quieter than Potsdam's Sanssouci.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.
Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.
Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.