Weg der Auenblicke, walking tour

The Wetland Views Trail takes hikers right into the heart of the Lower Oder Valley National Park. The hike features scenic highlights at any time of the year: admire the flooded polders in spring, observe migrating birds in autumn, or enjoy the icy landscape in winter. The flood plains are exciting at any time.

Length: 10 kilometres (about 3 hours)

Start / finish: National Park Centre in Criewen

Logo / route sign: Not specified

How to get there / return journey:By train: Take the RE3 (Stralsund) from Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof) to Angermünde. From here take bus no. 468 to the National Park Centre in Criewen (about 2 hours).By car: From Berlin via the A11, B198, B2 and L284 to the National Park Centre in Criewen (about 1.5 hours).Route: Criewen, northern shore of the Hohensaaten-Friedrichsthaler waterway, Stützkow, southern shore of the Hohensaaten-Friedrichtsthaler waterway, Criewen

Route description: The starting point of the hike is the National Park Centre in Criewen, where the landscape and the natural conditions of the Lower Oder Valley are illustrated and explained. Next up is the Lenné Park at Criewen Castle that is waiting for visitors to come and explore. The hiking trail now passes fallen trees as it meanders through the hillside forest of the Oder wetlands. It is the national park’s original natural state that makes it especially appealing. The Spring Adventure Path is a great way to explore the park. The particular flora and fauna by the fox spring are introduced along the just over 100 metres long walkway. Thanks to the board walk, visitors can walk through the ash forest without getting wet feet, despite the fact that there are a number of springs along the path. Once you have left the forest, you will climb up a steep hill that is home to some rare dry grassland species. Among the Oder hills and the woods, the trail continues towards the left and on to Stützkow. Those wishing to enjoy wonderful views of the Oder Valley should not miss climbing the stairs to the viewpoint by the side of the trail. After you have crossed the Hohensaaten-Friedrichsthaler waterway, the route returns to Criewen along the river plain.

If you would like to finish your hike with some extra impressive views, you should take the return route along the Oder and right through the wetlands that is about 1 kilometre longer. To do so, follow the signs to the (Natur)Beobachtungsturm (nature observation tower) from the bridge. Here you can watch ducks, geese, herons and eagles. You then walk along the river Oder and at the crossroads you turn left to go on through the polder meadows. Back in Criewen you can round off your day of hiking in a restaurant or a café.

The tour can be combined with the following other routes:Märkisch Overland TrailWild Woods Way - Hiking in the Lower Oder ValleyTrail conditions/surface: Please enquire at the National Park Centre, whether the polder path is accessible. The meadows are often flooded after periods of extensive rain.

Maps/literature: Nationalpark Unteres Odertal: Topographische Freizeitkarte, 1:50,000, Landesvermessung und Geobasisinformation Brandenburg, edition: New edition. (June 1, 2012), ISBN-13: 978-3749040995, Euro 6,00