9th stage “66-Seen-Wanderweg”: Winner on points - walking tour

This tour is the most varied of all the stages and includes almost all the beauties that Brandenburg has to offer. Under the quality criteria of the DWV (German Hiking Association), this landscape achieves the highest number of points of all the stages. Apart from the section through the town of Rüdersdorf and the lakeside promenade in Woltersdorf, this stage follows ideal hiking trails on dirt roads until just before Hangelsberg station. In Woltersdorf, the observation tower is worth a brief detour (taking hikers about 20 minutes to climb). At 20.4 kilometres, the ascent is only 50 metres and the descent 49 metres. These are at a maximum height of 48 metres above sea level and a minimum height of 33 metres above sea level.Length: 22 kilometres (5 hours)Start: RüdersdorfFinish: HangelsbergLogo/route sign: blue spot against a white backgroundHow to get there: From Berlin central station take the RE1 (Frankfurt (Oder)) to Erkner. From here, take bus 950 (Strausberg) to Rüderdorf (around 1 hour).Return journey: From Hangelsberg, take the RE1 (Brandenburg an der Havel) to Berlin central station (around 45 minutes)Route: Rüdersdorf, Lake Kalksee, Woltersdorf lock, Lake Flakensee, Erkner, Fangschleuse, HangelsbergRoute description: On the lakeside path along Lake Kalksee, sections of the bank still in their natural state alternate with wide lake views. Woltersdorf, idyllically located between two lakes offers food and drink and the view from the observation tower on the Kranichsberg mountain across the lakes and forest is one you should not miss. The bascule bridge by the lock and the old tram are other special attractions. After the lakeside promenade along Lake Flakensee with bathing area follows the romantic Löcknitztal Valley. The little river meanders naturally through forests and wetlands. Its banks are home to a wide diversity of plants and forest species. In the heart of the forest, in a lonely, secluded location, lies a fish farm offering food and drink plus separate rest areas by its fish ponds. Hochwald forms the conclusion of the tour. The Kranichsberg with its observation tower forms the “high point” of the 66-lake hiking trail, at 104 metres plus the height of the observation tower, whilst the gorge in Rüdersdorf is its lowest point.Sights:Woltersdorf: Observation tower on the Kranichsberg mountain, bascule bridge, old tramLöcknitztal ValleyFish farmUnderfoot 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)