A wild, undeveloped beach walk from the seaside resort of Prerow along the Weststrand, one of the last stretches of untouched natural coastline on the German Baltic, backed by dune forest within the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park.
This out-and-back walk follows the Weststrand from the seaside resort of Prerow toward Darßer Ort, one of the last remaining stretches of completely undeveloped natural coastline on the German Baltic Sea, protected within the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. The trailhead is the main Prerow beach access at the end of Waldstraße, a short walk from the village center and its bus connections to Barth and Ribnitz-Damgarten. The 12-kilometer round trip follows soft sand along the open beach, with almost no elevation gain but slower going underfoot than a packed trail, backed on the landward side by dune forest and the wind-bent pines of the Darßer Wald. Unlike the developed beach resorts elsewhere on the Baltic coast, the Weststrand has no boardwalks, beach chairs, or facilities once past Prerow's immediate shorefront, giving a sense of wilderness that draws walkers specifically for its emptiness, especially outside the July-August peak season. Driftwood, dune grass, and occasional bird colonies mark the shoreline, and the beach's width and shape shift noticeably after storms, since the coastline here is actively eroding and reforming rather than stabilized by artificial groynes. There is no reliable turn-around landmark beyond a distance marker roughly at the halfway point, after which most walkers double back to Prerow rather than continuing the full distance to Darßer Ort. Water and food are available only in Prerow itself; there are no kiosks or facilities anywhere along the open beach.
| Difficulty | easy |
|---|---|
| Best season | May to September for swimming; year-round for walking |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, Prerow
What to bring
Walking shoes or sandals; sand can be soft and slow-going
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Highlights
- One of the last fully undeveloped natural beach stretches on the German Baltic coast
- Actively shifting dune and beach system, unmodified by artificial coastal defenses
- Dune forest and Windflüchter pines backing the shoreline
- Bird colonies and driftwood typical of an unmanaged coastal habitat
Tips for visiting
- Wear sandals or shoes suited to soft sand, as the beach has no packed path
- Carry water and snacks, since there are no facilities once past Prerow's immediate beachfront
- Visit outside July-August for a quieter experience, as the trail's appeal is its emptiness
- Check the tide and recent storm reports locally, since beach conditions and width vary considerably
When to visit
Early morning or evening outside the July-August peak season offers the quietest walking conditions and softest light along the open coastline.
Accessibility
The soft, unpacked sand of the open beach is not suitable for wheelchairs or standard strollers.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Weststrand a developed beach with facilities?
No, apart from the immediate area around Prerow, the Weststrand has no boardwalks, kiosks, or beach chairs, making it one of the few undeveloped stretches of coastline on the German Baltic.
Can this walk be shortened?
Yes, a shorter out-and-back to the halfway distance marker and back to Prerow covers roughly 6 kilometers instead of the full 12.
Is swimming possible along the Weststrand?
Yes, swimming is possible from May to September, though there are no lifeguards or facilities away from the main Prerow beach area.
How do hikers reach Prerow without a car?
Regional bus service connects Prerow to Barth and Ribnitz-Damgarten, both of which have train stations.