Seventh Stage “66-Lakes Hiking Trail”: The Chain of Lakes in the Tunnel Valley Gamengrund – Le...

This stage is the continuation of the hike through the Gamengrund tunnel valley that starts with Lake Gamensee in the north and joins the Strausberger Seen lakes in the south. The hike is very varied, despite the fact that more than 23 kilometres of it are through the forest: The forest keeps changing, as you walk past nine lakes. Ten kilometres of the trail are on lakeshore trails that frequently allow for views of the respective body of water. This stage is a very pleasant walk, as it only has 89 metres of ascent and 123 metres of descent. You will reach a maximum height of 102 metres above sea level and a minimum height of 60 metres above sea level.Length: 28 kilometres (6 to 7 hours)Start: LeuenbergFinish: Strausberg-NordLogo/route sign: blue spot against a white backgroundHow to get there: Take the rapid transit train S75 (Wartenberg) from Berlin central station to Berlin-Lichtenberg. From here, take the regional train RB25 to Werneuchen. Then take bus no. 887 to Leuenberg (about 1.5 hours).Return journey: Take the S5 (Spandau) from Strausberg to Berlin central station (about 1 hour).Route: Leuenberg, Langer See, Mittelsee, Gamensee, Wesendahler Mühle, Fängersee, Bötzsee, StrausbergRoute description: It is clearly visible in both directions that the tunnel valley Gamengrund is a long and narrow groove that was formed by Ice Age melt water. It stretches almost as far as Strausberg. The valley is not particularly suitable for any kind of use and it is also located quite far from any big centres. This is why it is home to largely unspoilt nature without any traces of settlement. Leuenberg is yet another typical Brandenburg village with an ancient fieldstone church and old farm buildings. The area of the lakes Kesselsee and Paradiessee used to be a marshy bigger lake that dried up over the course of millennia, and peat formed. Paradiessee was formed through peat extraction in the past. This lake is particularly appealing, yet quite different from the other lakes. Those who walk around the lake on the rather marshy trail are rewarded with the most stunning views. Wesendahler Mühle is an old water mill in a very romantic setting in the woods. Only the name of another water mill – Spitzmühle – remains. The destination of this stage is the beautifully situated little town Strausberg.Sights:Leuenberg: Fieldstone church, farmsWesendahler Mühle (mill)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)