Around the Havel Lakes near Potsdam

Potsdam – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is impressive not only for friends of garden art. The Havel lakes as well as the surrounding forest and lakeland scenery characterise the city. The 35-kilometre hike reflects this natural and cultural diversity. As you walk around Lake Templiner See and Lake Schwielowsee you will encounter plenty of stunning countryside and impressive sites of cultural interest. For example, you will pass the castles in Caputh and Petzow. There are many eateries and accommodation facilities by the lakes that allow you to get to know the hospitality of the people of the Havelland region.

Distance: 34 kilometres (2-day tour)

Start/finish: Potsdam Neustädter Bucht

Route sign:

• Blue bar from the starting point at Potsdam Neustädter Bucht to the “an der Pirschheide” crossing
• Red bar from Bahndamm Templiner See to the end point in Potsdam (Fontane Trail 6)

• Please note our recommended maps-

Individual stages:
Potsdam – Ferch: 16 kilometres
Ferch – Potsdam: 18 kilometres

Route:
Potsdam West – Bahndamm Templiner See – western side of Lake Templiner See – Geltow –  Petzow – Ferch – Caputh – eastern shore of Lake Templiner See – Potsdam
(shortcut via Geltow – Groß Wentorf – Caputh (ferry) – eastern side of Lake Templiner See – Potsdam)

Points of interest along the route:

• Potsdam: Waterworks/mosque, Charlottenhof Villa, Sanssouci Palace and Park, Einsteinturm tower, Freundschaftsinsel island, Filmmuseum Potsdam, St. Nicholas’ Church
• Caputh: Caputh House and Estate, Fährhaus Caputh, village church in the style of an Italian basilica, Einstein’s Summer House
• Ferch: thatched half-timbered houses, half-timbered church, watchtower (observation tower) on Wietkikenberg mountain
• Petzow: Schinkel castle and church, Lenné landscape garden
• Geltow: Local history parlour, “Aktives Museum Weberei” interactive weaving museum

How to get there:

• Public transport: via Potsdam central station; other station along the route: Caputh-Geltow station
• to Potsdam’s city centre, parking opposite the waterworks/“mosque” in the Marktcenter multi-storey car park

Recommended maps:
“Havelseen Werder-Potsdam” Rad-, Wander- und Gewässerkarte, 1:35.000, Verlag Grünes Herz, ISBN 3-929993-93-7