Splash, splash - she's already crawling through the lake in long strokes. My daughter Franzi is the only one in the family who can dive headfirst into the water. From a standing position. All she needs is a small, grassy strip of shore like here at the Döbertstich. This ditch is a pit where clay was once mined and which has since filled with water. Here on the Brandenburg Havel, between the villages of Zehdenick and Mildenberg, there is plenty of it. They glisten in the sun like a natural pool landscape. Reeds sway on the banks, azure-blue dragonflies quiver over the water, a cuckoo calls. We have leaned our e-bikes against a bench. Franzi swims, I rummage in my panniers for my swimwear. Not bad, such a refreshment opportunity right by the wayside. Will there be more? We can rest assured. We don't know yet, but by the end of our tour we will have swum almost as much as we cycled.
Urban start at the Brandenburg Gate
We are on the 680-kilometre Berlin-Copenhagen long-distance cycle route. As occasional and leisure cyclists, Franzi and I have planned seven days for the German section of the route. It leads to Warnemünde, where the ferry to Denmark departs. The cycle route is known as "green-blue" because it winds its way through natural landscapes and along the water. At least as soon as you leave Berlin-Mitte behind you. The start at the Brandenburg Gate also had its charm: when we hung up our panniers there early in the morning and adjusted our helmets, we were the only long-distance cyclists, but not the only cyclists. From all sides, helmeted men in suits, women from the capital in Birkenstocks and young fathers on cargo bikes whizzed through the gateways, fast and purposeful, while the Victory Column glittered golden in the background. It was an exciting, urban start to our rural tour.
And now Brandenburg. After a stop at Oranienburg Palace, we drive along quiet avenues, through idyllic villages dotted with ancient brick churches and past rapeseed fields of such rich yellow that I would love to jump into them. In Mildenberg Brickworks Park, now an industrial museum with an adventure park, we wind our way between the disused ring kilns and have a picnic on the banks of the Havel. Later, we get dessert in the form of chocolates in the small town of Himmelpfort, which not only has a real chocolaterie, but also a Christmas post office where Santa Claus receives letters from thousands of children every year. By post, of course. "You never told me about that when I was little," complains Franzi. "You're from Bavaria," I justify myself. "You had the Christ Child."
Mother-daughter vacation
One hands out snacks, the other information
My daughter is 24 years old and has long been living her own life, far away from home. But every summer we go on a bike ride together. We like cycling together because you get into a kind of flow that promotes quiet harmony on the one hand and communication on the other. You can talk about so many things while pedaling side by side. Especially when, like on the 260-kilometre route through Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it's leisurely and without any major inclines and we can concentrate on the conversation.
Franzi operates the satnav on the way, hands out the snacks and reliably keeps calm when we get lost, which happens to us every now and then because of all the talking. For example, behind the pretty riverside town of Waren an der Müritz, where we take a wrong turn and end up in the middle of a real Mecklenburg fairytale forest of towering pines. However, the mosquitoes there quickly drive us back onto the route - and straight into the welcoming arms of the Fischerhof Damerow, where we make ourselves comfortable on a wooden bench.
Overlooking the Jabelschen See lake, we eat the world's best fish sandwiches, thickly topped with juicy, smoked char. I tell Franzi about fishing in the Mecklenburg Lake District and talk expertly about a two-metre-long catfish that the Müritz fishermen once caught here. Imparting knowledge is traditionally my job on our cycle tours. Nobody needs to know that I don't really know anything about the fishing industry and have only just learned a few facts myself in the Fischerhof museum. Incidentally, the stuffed two-meter catfish with its terrifying teeth was also on display there.
Plan swimming breaks!
Our tip for the Berlin-Copenhagen cycle tour
But we don't let predatory fish scare us. We also enjoy swimming in Lake Jabel again. Just like later in Lake Krakow, where we sit for a long time afterwards and talk about the future in the evening twilight before pushing our bikes over the cozy cobblestones of the old town to our hotel. Spending the night is easy on the tour; there is no shortage of hotels, inns and guesthouses along the way. Between our dips in the cool water, we also cycle a little; it's just too beautiful in this Nordic landscape, where resin-scented coniferous forests alternate with rolling fields. The sky arches higher and higher above us, light pours over the land and I get a glimpse of the Baltic Sea.
"I love all the water here," says Franzi happily in Güstrow. The sea is still a good 50 kilometers away, but we cycle along an "island lake", a "Pfaffenteich" and a river called Nebel to our cultural destination today: the Gertrudenkapelle.
Güstrow is the town of Ernst Barlach
Some of the most important sculptures by the great sculptor are on display in the Gothic Gertrudenkapelle. We gaze silently at the "Reading Monastery Student", the "Doubter" and the "Pietà", immersing ourselves in the human emotions that Barlach carved out of wood and plaster. The Expressionist lived in Güstrow for 30 years, where he is said to have been inspired by the local brick Gothic architecture as well as the rural population of Mecklenburg.
Surprises along the way
We also like the people here. "Everyone is so uncomplicated and open and makes great things," Franzi noted when we visited the "Manufaktur Löwenzahn" in the Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide nature park. Anja Bayler not only sells homemade syrups, herbal teas and fruit vinegars, but also serves us warm yeast plait and delicious wild plum jam in her romantic garden. A few kilometers further on, we marvel at the "Gutshaus Linstow", which Thorsten Dietzel and Franziska Hesse have transformed into a casually chic vacation paradise with lots of contemporary art, where we would have loved to book in straight away.
But we want to go further. We want to go to the sea. To Rostock, where towering harbour cranes tell of the Baltic Sea, and then the last few kilometers to Warnemünde. There we stand on the western pier, let a strong sea breeze blow around our noses and watch the ferry sail away towards Denmark. Next year, we'll be on board too. And cycle on to Copenhagen.
But for now, we're going for a swim.
Berlin-Copenhagen Cycle Route
- Length: 699 km
- Etappen: 10
Stages: 16 | Route length in MV: 260 km | Out of the metropolis and into nature. When city dwellers get hooked on the lakes, they can get in the saddle and cycle along well-maintained cycle paths past forests, lakes and fields not only to the Baltic Sea, but even beyond to Copenhagen.
32 Ergebnisse
DOCK INN Hostel Warnemünde
- Zum Zollamt, 18119 Rostock
The DOCK INN is Germany's first hostel made of upcycled overseas containers and makes active vacationers, design fans and families equally happy.
Hotel Warnemünder Hof
- Stolteraer Weg, 18119 Rostock-Warnemünde
The hotel is located in the greenery only 950m from the beach, has among other things a restaurant, garden terrace, spa area with pool, saunas and doctor's office.
The Guest House Rostock
- Warnowallee, 18107 Rostock
The guesthouse is located in a so-called Plattenbau from 1972 in the district center of Lütten-Klein. With 11 floors, it has a total of 204 rooms and residential units, offices and seminar rooms that can be rented for a shorter or longer period.
Jellyfish Hostel - central | cheap | quiet
- Beginenberg, 18055 Rostock
Jellyfish Hostel is a cozy hostel, extremely centrally located in the middle of the historic old town of Rostock in a quiet cul-de-sac.
Beach house at the Inselsee
- Heidberg, 18273 Güstrow
As a cyclist on the long-distance cycling routes, the path will lead you directly past our "Strandhaus", where quiet rooms and Italian delicacies will tempt you from "off the bike".
Manor Hotel Groß Breesen
- Groß Breesen, 18276 Zehna OT Groß Breesen
The 1st book hotel in Germany: The perfect combination of browsing, book exchange and good food - this is relaxation for the soul - with 500,000 books - a true paradise. Many varieties of tea and wine, always a suitable book and snuggled up in the spring sun, bike and canoe tours, hikes, evenings of reading aloud - for example our full moon readings - ice cream sundaes, herbal soups or regional dishes, hidden reading spots under big old trees and staff with warmth of heart complete the offer.
Zietlitz manor house
- Serrahner Straße, 18292 Zietlitz
Your hosts Tatjana and Michael Schiller welcome you to the Mecklenburg Lake District, almost at the edge of the world.
Hotel between the lakes
- Am Mühlenberg, 17192 Waren (Müritz)
Great new hotel (renovated villa) - quiet location and close to the city center
DJH Youth Hostel Waren (Müritz)
- An der Feisneck, 17192 Waren (Müritz)
The youth hostel in Waren (Müritz) is located directly on Germany's largest lake! Perfect for outdoor fans who like paddling, sailing or canoeing. In our small house it's familiar and we always have an ear for you. Music groups will find three well-equipped rehearsal rooms with us.
Ring Hotel Villa Margarete
- Fontanestraße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)
The facade with its wooden balconies and view into the Müritz National Park, as well as the neat interior design convey a pleasant atmosphere. In the restaurant with garden terrace directly at the Müritz National Park, the chef will spoil you with his special creations.
Flair Seehotel Zielow
- Seeufer, 17207 Ludorf OT Zielow
Our hotel is located directly on the south bank of the Müritz and offers restaurant, wellness area, pool, riding stable, beach and pure relaxation.
Campingplatz am Gobenowsee
- Am See - C27, 17255 Drosedow
Camping offer with special offer for water hikers
Schwaan Art Museum
- Open today
- Mühlenstraße, 18258 Schwaan
The art museum in the Kunstmühle dedicates its exhibition and collection activities to the painters of the Schwaan artists' colony. In addition to its own collection, changing exhibitions are shown. These tie in with the works of the Schwaan painters and place them in a new context.
Manufacture dandelion
- Open today
- Dorfstraße, 17214 Nossentiner Hütte
Fine food from Mecklenburg is available in this small farm store. Experience nature - with all your senses. During a herb walk, guests can also be enchanted by the abundance and magic around them.
Hotel & Restaurant Kurhaus am Inselsee
- Heidberg, 18273 Güstrow
Directly at the beautiful Inselsee in Güstrow an extraordinary house is looking forward to your visit. The house has 52 rooms and suites, the restaurant "Schröders" , five function rooms, a wellness area with sauna, steam bath and swimming pool. The hotel is located at the gates of the Barlach town Güstrow in the recreation area Heidberge between forest and lake, quiet and idyllic on the south shore of the Inselsee.
Cultural Quarter Mecklenburg-Strelitz
- Open today
- Schloßstraße, 17235 Neustrelitz
Discover. Marvel. Linger. Encounter.
Castle Bützow
- Schlossplatz, 18246 Bützow
Bützow Castle once served as a bishop's residence.
Beach "White Lake" Wesenberg
- 17255 Wesenberg
The Weißer See bathing beach is located just outside the center of Wesenberg, quietly surrounded by greenery. The arrival and departure with the Kleinseenbahn is possible.
IGA Park Rostock
- Schmarl-Dorf, 18106 Rostock
Blossoming in the IGA Park - The face of the IGA Park changes in the harmonious rhythm of the seasons. Varied garden landscape on the banks of the Warnow, rose slope, willow dome and international gardens inspire visitors.
Slavic village Neustrelitz
- Open today
- Franzosensteg, 17235 Neustrelitz
A visit to the Slavic Village at Lake Zierk is an excursion into the early medieval settlement history of the region. Here you can be active and creative.
MÜRITZEUM - The NatureExperienceCenter in Waren (Müritz)
- Open today
- Zur Steinmole, 17192 Waren (Müritz)
The Müritzeum shows the beauty and special features of the Mecklenburg Lake District and the Müritz National Park in an interactive exhibition. In Germany's largest aquarium landscape for native freshwater fish, you dive under the water surface of the 1000 lakes.
Güstrow Castle
- Temporarily closed
- Franz-Parr-Platz, 18273 Güstrow
On the edge of the old town of Güstrow, one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe surprises with its southern charm. Magnificent stucco ceilings from the time of construction have been preserved. Extensive renovation work is currently taking place in the castle. Due to this, the castle museum is not open to the public.
Old synagogue Krakow on the lake
- Schulplatz, 18292 Krakow am See
The Old Synagogue is one of the few remaining synagogues in northeastern Germany.
Holy Cross Church Waren (Müritz)
- Goethestraße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)
The Catholic Church and Parish Niels Stensen
Wesenberg castle with fishing tower
- Burg, 17255 Wesenberg
Castle complex with local history room and exhibition on fishing and regional history, tourist information, public Internet access, nationwide ticket service
Fishermen's farm Damerow
- Zum Werder, 17194 Jabel OT Damerow
Directly at the Jabel lake our guests enjoy a varied offer fresh from the smoker and our delicious fisherman's rolls. Here you will experience pure enjoyment and relaxation! For the little guests there is a water play mobile for lots of fun for children.
Motel One Rostock
- Schröderplatz, 18057 Rostock
Motel One Rostock offers comfortable and modern accommodation in the center of Rostock, a 10-minute walk from the harbor. All rooms at Motel One Rostock are designed in a modern style. They feature a flat-screen satellite TV and a private bathroom with shower.
Ernst Barlach Museums Güstrow - Gertruden Chapel
- Gertrudenplatz, 18273 Güstrow
Located not far from the center of Güstrow, the Gothic Gertruden Chapel was opened in 1953 as the first Barlach Museum in Güstrow. The chapel houses about 30 sculptures and reliefs by Ernst Barlach, all of which were created during the Güstrow period.
Country inn Wirtshaus zur Eibe
- Hoher Damm, 17194 Jabel
The country inn is centrally located on the L 205 of the small village of Jabel, an ideal place to spend relaxing days in the Müritz region. The inn convinces with six cozy double rooms and a good home cooking. The Jabel lake is about 500 meters away.
Climbing & Adventure Forest Schwaan
- Open today
- Feldstraße, 18258 Schwaan
CLIMBING, FUN & EDUCATION - all in one place! The longest ropeway in the north with 116.5 meters awaits you! In addition, seven courses with over 60 climbing tasks and an event tower with "Skyjump" from a height of over 9 meters.
Hotel Restaurant Nordischer Hof
- Markt, 18292 Krakow am See
Small hotel, very popular between cyclists, with cozy rooms and good Eastern European cuisine.
The mill villa Bützow
- Bahnhofstraße, 18246 Bützow
Lovely accommodation in monument city villa, with large garden and spa. Sustainable Bed & Breakfast with organic, regional as well as seasonal breakfast.