Via Potsdam’s and Brandenburg’s Havel Lakes

The River Havel and Potsdam’s and Brandenburg’s Havel lakes make up a stunning water landscape and a cultural landscape steeped in history between two historic towns. From the water all around Potsdam you can see the history and architecture of great Prussian kings, and further downstream you discover the orchards of the “Muckersche”. You pass idyllic villages and meadows and finally reach the town of Brandenburg an der Havel, the cradle of Mark Brandenburg. This is where Slavs and bishops were immortalised. A detour to Lake Beetzsee and Lake Plauer See make this the perfect boat trip.Length/duration: 87 kilometres (2-3 days)Start: Potsdam / Finish: Brandenburg an der HavelHow to get there:Public transport: From Berlin central station take the RE7 (Dessau) to Potsdam (about 30 minutes).Car: From Berlin via the A115 and Nuthestrasse (about 45 minutes).Route: Potsdam, Sacrow-Paretzer Canal, Untere Havel/Ketzin, Potsdamer Havel, Lake Schwielowsee, Havel, Brandenburg an der HavelDetour:from Potsdam - Lake Wannsee - and back (15 kilometres one way)from Brandenburg an der Havel: Beetzseen lakes (21 kilometres one way)On-shore outings:Potsdam: UNESCO World Heritage SiteCaputh: Palace and ParkWerder (Havel): Island townBrandenburg an der Havel: Cathedral, monastery, historic town centreNautical information: Charming river, lake and canal sections; parts in the form of round tripsDriving licence: The Potsdam Havel lakes from Glienicker Bridge to the Sacrow-Paretzer Canal and the Brandenburg Havel lakes including Lake Beetzsee require a charter licence, a sports boat licence (inland) is required elsewhere.Maps/Literature: “TourenAtlas Wasserwandern / TA5 Berlin-Brandenburg mit Spreewald: Oder, Havel, Spree + Nebengewässer”, 1:75.000 & 1:25.000, Verlag: Jübermann, Auflage: 5 (5. Juli 2013), ISBN-13: 978-3929540666, Euro 25