Bad Saarow to Wendisch Rietz on the 66 lakes hiking trail (stage 11)

It starts through the spa gardens of Bad Saarow, initially always along the Scharmützelsee. However, the route also leads you away from the lakeshore. For example, you can cross the inland dune near Storkow (Mark) in this way. At 36 m, it is the highest German inland dune. Such inland dunes were created around 10,000 years ago as a result of the Ice Age, as vegetation could only slowly re-establish itself after the ice had melted. Fine soil particles could thus be carried for kilometers by the wind. When the wind was very strong, the resulting dunes would also have "wandered".



Length: 24.5 km, duration: approx. 6:30 h

Start: Bad Saarow

Destination: Wendisch Rietz

Logo / route marking: Blue point on a white background

Arrival by public transport: From Berlin main station with the RE1 (Frankfurt (Oder)) to Fürstenwalde, then continue with the RB35 (Bad Saarow) to Bad Saarow (approx. 1 hour)

Departure public transport: From Wendisch Rietz with the RB36 (Königs Wusterhausen) to Königs Wusterhausen, then continue with the RE2 (Schwerin) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (approx. 1.5 hours) Course: Bad Saarow, Kolpin, Kolpiner Seen, Reichenwalde, Storkow (Mark), Dahmsdorf, Wendisch Rietz

How to get there / Interesting facts: On this stage of the 66 lakes hiking trail you cross Bad Saarow and reach Wendisch Rietz via Kolpin, Reichenwalde, Storkow and Dahmsdorf. In addition to the inland dune in Storkow, the Scharmützelsee is also a highlight on this tour. After you always walk along the north bank of the Scharmützelsee at the beginning of the tour, the tour takes you away from the lakeshore. At the end of the tour you will reach the south bank of the lake in Wendisch Rietz.

As the largest lake in the Mark Brandenburg (with 12.1 square kilometers and a length of 10 kilometers) the poet Theodor Fontane gave the Scharmützelsee the nickname "Märkisches Meer". The Scharmützelsee is called Rinnensee because of its elongated shape. It and the chain of Glubigseenkette in the south are a result of the Ice Age.

Sights:
Bad Saarow: historic station building, ScharmützelseeStorkow (Mark): Castle, drawbridge and lock system, water buffalo enclosure, church St. MariaWendisch Rietz: amusement parkRoad conditions / route expansion: predominantly unpaved roads

Maps / literature:"66-Seen-Weg, Hikeline hiking guide", publisher: Esterbauer GmbH, edition: 3 (2019), ISBN: 978-3-85000-760-3, 11.90 euros