In the western neighborhood of the town Rathenow lies Steckelsdorf with the lake named after it. The dense juxtaposition of dry and marshy terrain makes this lake circuit a scenic and varied hike.
The path leads, starting at the campsite, initially only a short stretch along the lake before you pass through Steckelsdorf. The typical street village was completely destroyed in a fire in 1819 and then rebuilt in its original layout. Next to the church stands the lovingly designed Frau-Harke waymark. Frau Harke is the patron saint of the Havelland region from Germanic times, and under her protection, it is particularly pleasant to rest at this Knorpelschänke.
You hike out of the village along lush green wet meadows and horse paddocks. The lake remains hidden on the left behind locust trees and tall reeds for a while. After leaving the garden settlement behind, a higher path always leads in view of the lake through the forest. On the right, there are occasional old pines that have herringbone patterns on their trunks. These traces are a reminder of resin extraction during the time of the GDR. The draining resin was collected and used as a raw material for colors.
The water surface now gives way to the lake's marsh zone. An impressive alder swamp forest takes its place, and on the right, the wooded slope grows steeply upwards. At the western end of the lake, you cross the Bruchbach, which leads water from the nearby Trittsee into the Steckelsdorfer See. It carries very little water and is hardly recognizable as a stream in the summer months. Therefore, a low footbridge is sufficient to cross it. Once you have reached the south bank again, the lake comes back into view, and the path now leads directly along the shore back to the campsite, where you can take a refreshing dip in the lake to finish.
TIP: Let local history be told at the village green! At the listening point, Steckelsdorf residents will tell you stories from the past of the village at the push of a button.
Trail marking: red dot on a white background
Start/Finish: Campingplatz Rathenow
Length/Hiking time: 4.1 km/1 hr.
Suitable for: Family with child(ren), 60+
Parking: Parking lot at Campingplatz Rathenow
Public Transport: Stop Steckelsdorf/See, Bus 672