Fontane Hike – On the Trail of the Writer at Lake Werbellinsee

Even Theodor Fontane gushed about the sight of Lake Werbellinsee, the deepest and perhaps the most beautiful lake in Schorfheide. This hike follows in the footsteps of the writer along the south and east banks of Lake Werbellinsee. The starting point for the hike can be reached in comfort by taking the Redeerei Wiedenhöft steam boat (seasonally from May to October).

Length: 7 kilometres ,(about 2 hours)

Start/Finish: Joachimsthal, Reederei Wiedenhöft harbour

Start of the hike: Landing stage at Spring

End of the hike: Fontaneplatz Altenhof

Logo/route sign: Green dot, red bar

Route description:
You head off from Kaiserbahnhof Station in Joachimsthal and then take the Reederei Wiedenhöft steam boat with its harbour at the north tip of the lake. Get off at the Spring landing stage. The hiking trail runs almost entirely along the banks of Lake Werbellinsee to Wildau. Here you come to the Ascanian tower, which offers a beautiful view of Wildau and part of the lake. Theodor Fontane also spent some time at the south tip of the lake. Just after Wildau, the path crosses the bridge at the Ascanian tower to the other side of the Werbellin Canal. After the bridge, you continue on to the left along Lake Werbellinsee in the direction of Berolina camp site. In summer you can dive into the water at the camp site’s bathing area (subject to charge). After a further 3 kilometres along the lakeside path, you arrive at Fontaneplatz in Altenhof. From here, you take the steam boat or bus 915 back to Joachimsthal.
You can extend the hike by taking a detour to Eichhorst (about 3 kilometres there and back from Wildau).

Sights: Ascanian tower, Lake Werbellinsee, Kaiserbahnhof Station Joachimsthal, Fontaneplatz in Altenhof with the poetic navigation marks

Trail conditions/surface: Unspoilt hiking trail, asphalted roads in the villages

Maps/Literature: Pharusplan “Schorfheide” Rad- und Wanderkarte mit Finowkanal und Angermünde, Maßstab 1 : 40 000,
5. Auflage 2021, ISBN: 978-3-86514-142-2, unit price: Euro 5