Fourth Stage “66-Lakes-Hiking Trail”: The Briesetal Valley

This idyllic stage, which is dedicated to the Briesetal Valley, begins in what used to be a small fishing village. Along the 25 kilometre long hiking route, you will climb 55 metres and descend 38 metres, reaching a maximum height of 52 metres above sea level and a minimum height of 32 metres above sea levelLength: 26 kilometres (5 hours)Start: Hennigsdorf / Finish: WensickendorfLogo/route sign: blue spot against a white backgroundHow to get there: Take the RE3330 (Eberswalde) from Berlin central station to Berlin Gesundbrunnen. From here, take the S25 to Hennigsdorf (about 30 minutes).Return journey: Take Bus 805 from Wensickendorf to Oranienburg. From here take the RE5 (Elsterwerda) to Berlin central station (about 1 hour).Route: Hennigsdorf, Birkenwerder, WensickendorfRoute description: A route lined with oaks leads you to the town of Hennigsdorf. At the beginning of the 20th century, it experienced an economic boom with industrial companies from Berlin establishing subsidiaries there. In addition to the building of a steelworks and rolling mill, in 1913 the manufacture of railways began. The lively development of the little town was not stopped by the destruction of the Second World War. Rebuilt as a modern town, it lies at our feet in all its splendour. After the town centre, you pass Havelplatz, which opens onto the pedestrian zone.
You then follow the River Havel developed as a canal and then the River Briese to Birkenwerder. Along the Havel Canal along footpaths and hiking trails, you come ever closer to the countryside with lots of lakes. Lake Mönchsee and Lake Boddensee open up before you, followed by the picturesque valley of the little River Briese. Through forests, meadows and swamps, the little river finds its way and forms small lakes with beautiful, romantic riverside paths around them. Lake Briesesee invites you to take a break and to swim and linger for a while. Thanks to wooden jetties, this landscape conservation area can also be admired from places that would otherwise be inaccessible. Nature lovers with rambling hearts are really in their element here! In green Birkenwerder, the Briesebrücke bridge with its viewing platform promises a breathtaking view of this enchanting region. Then on to the 650-year-old Wensickendorf, which can be enjoyed from the quiet rest area at Hubertusbrücke bridge and from the Forester’s House.Trail conditions/surface: not specifiedMaps/Literature:“66-Seen-Weg, Hikeline Wanderführer”, 1:50,000, Verlag: Esterbauer, Auflage: 2 (2012), ISBN-13: 978-3850005012, Euro 14.90“Wander- und Radwanderkarte 66-Seen-Weg: Zu den Naturschönheiten rund um Berlin”, 1:50.000, Verlag: Barthel, A., Auflage: 2 (1. Oktober 2011), ISBN-13: 978-3895911552, Euro 7.90Reschke, Manfred: “Die 66-Seen-Wanderung. Zu den Naturschönheiten rund um Berlin”, Trescher Verlag; Auflage 8, aktual. A. (2017), ISBN 978-3-89794-369-8 (www.trescher-verlag.de/reisefuehrer/deutschland/66-seen-wanderung.html)