"Rund um die Schorfheide", hiking trail

The faszinating countryside of the Schorfheide (north of Berlin) could be explored in 7 etaps along the 135 km long trail „Rund um die Schorfheide“ (Around the Schorfheide“). A perfect start would be the Forest-Town Eberswalde. Then the trail goes on through the Naturepark Barnim, to the Schorfheide with its UNESCO-Naturereserve Buchenwald Grumsin (beechwood Grumsin), and the biosphere-reserve Schorfheide-Chorin back to the starting point in Eberswalde. The route is special because of its landscape: which has been embossed by the glaciers millions of years ago. Today hikers / visitors enjoy its deep woods, clear lakes and astonishing views to the far horizont.
Taking a closer look onto the route, one hikes from Eberswalde via Biesenthal heading to Eichhorst, near romantic Werbellincanal, passing on to Joachimsthal. At the most northern point of the trail - in the region of Barnimer Land - the route goes East to Abbey Chorin, famous for ist brickstone-architecture and further to Niederfinow with its – now - two shiplifts and then back to Eberswalde.

Length of tour: 135 km (shortcuts of trail or and part-routes to extend the trail are possible – also with connections to public transport)
Duration: Several Days approx. 5-7 days

Start / End of Tour: Hauptbahnhof Eberswalde (Eberswalde Main Station), other starts at further stations along the tour possible)
Logo: Blue Tree

Arrival: Hbf Eberswalde with RE 3 and RB 24 from / to Berlin, Stralsund, Stettin, with car via A10/A11

Description: the 135 Kilometer long circle-hike through the region Barnimer Land starts at Eberswalder Hauptbahnhof, heading to the centre of town. There one can provide oneself with additional information and advise at the tourist info (Museum) as well as with extra provisions in the centre of Eberswalde. Heading to Zainhammermühle, Forstbotanischen Garten and on to the Zoo. Further the route follows the nature-reserve Nonnenfließ to naturepark Barnim through Melchow-Village and to Biesenthal. The route goes on to Finowtal-Pregnitzfließ heading to Schorfheide. The hiker passes the Grafenbrücker Lock and Marienwerder. Then hike along the Werbellincanal heading to Rosenbeck. Next are the villages Eichhorst and Wildau. Arriving at Werbellinsee, follow the trail into the forests of Schorfheide Kienhorst / Köllnseen / Eichhorst further to Joachimsthal. After stopping for a while to regain strength the tour enters an etap where glacial formations can be seen and the UNESCO-Worldheritage of Buchenwald Grumsin. In Groß-Ziethen there are information about the history of glaciers of the area. Afterwards the trail leads to Chorin. Stop at the Monastery and take a break to explore ist century-old walls. Then walk on to Ökodorf Brodowin (a good stop to buy organic food) and hike further to Oderberg, the most north-easterly town of the Biosphere reserve and situated at the edge of Oderbruch. After a short stop head back to crossing and now hike towards Liepe and Niederfinow. At Niederfinow the shiplifts are worth a visit – perhaps even do a tour with a boat into the shiplift (note: this might well take 2 hrs). Afterwards walk on to via Hohenfinow and Tornow, through the forest of the town Eberswalde back to the starting point of the hike.

Sights along the tour: Foresttown Eberswalde, Naturepark-town Biesenthal, Schorfheide, Werbellin- und Finowcanal, UNESCO-Worldheritage Buchenwald Grumsin, Biosphere-Reserve Schorfheide-Chorin, Abbey Chorin and Shiplifts Niederfinow

Quality of Paths: hiking trails, tarmac and cobblestone-ways, paths

Recommended maps: Pharusplan Schorfheide with Hiking trail (German) „Rund um die Schorfheide“ and Knotenpunktsystem for cyclists, Scale: 1:42.000, Publisher: Pharus Plan, 5. Edition 2021, ISBN: 978-3-86514-142-2, Price: 5 € and additional free brochure.