Willibald Alexis Hiking Route

This hike covers every aspect of the forest and lake area around Lehnin. In medieval times, this area was still inaccessible. In a vast landscape of forests, lakes and moors, Cistercian monks built the monastery in Lehnin. It is very close to the starting point of the hike and well-worth a visit. A mixture of deciduous, conifer and mixed forests, meadows, lakes, moor and wetland areas makes for an interesting hike that can be rounded off with a swim in the lake Gohlitzsee on hot days. Along the way, there are various information panels with information about the life and work of the poet Willibald Alexis.

Length: 8 kilometres (about 2.5 hours)

Start/finish: Lehnin

Logo/route sign: yellow circle

How to get there:Train: Take the regional train RB21 (Golm) from Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof) to Potsdam Charlottenhof. From here, take bus no. 580 (Bad Belzig) to Lehnin (about 1.5 hours).Car: From Berlin via the A115, A10 and A2 to Lehnin (about 1 hour).Route: Lehnin, Gohlitzsee, Gohlitzhof, Emstaler Schlauch, Mittelsee, Lehnin

Route description: The hike starts at the statue of Willibald Alexis on Puschkinstrasse. At the start, you will walk through a varied mixed deciduous forest. After a few minutes, the path reaches the lakeshore of Gohlitzsee and continues along the shore. There are a number of bathing areas that are lovely places to linger for a while. After fifteen minutes, the path will continue towards the east and then the south through a woodland, before reaching Gohlitzhof. Soon after, the path curves towards Emstaler Schlauch in north-easterly direction. This interesting lake and moor region is characterised by its scenic beauty and it allows for insights into the bird life of the Havelland region. After a little while, the path reaches another vast moor area around the lake Mittelsee. You now return to Lehnin first in westerly, then in northerly direction.

Possible combinations: Circular Trail around Lake Klostersee in Lehnin

Trail conditions/surface: not specified

Maps/Literature: “Havelland - Wandern und Rad”, 1:50.000, KOMPASS-Karten, Innsbruck, Auflage: Neuauflage. (Februar 2009), ISBN 978-3854915058, Euro 9.95