Bergmolchwanderweg, walking trail

Not too long, with a great deal of variety, the Bergmolchwanderweg hiking trail attracts visitors of all ages to experience the joy of nature. All sorts of flora and fauna, romantic castles, a falconry with a bird show featuring eagles, kites, falcons and owls, the chance to stop off at restaurants that boast family tradition stretching back multiple generations and, at the end, a fantastic advantage playground – what more does a family hike need? Raben Castle, Eisenhardt Castle in Bad Belzig, and Wiesenburg Castle form the Hoher Fläming region’s so-called ‘Castle Triangle’. First mentioned in 1251, the castle has changed hands many times over the years, as well as playing host to distinguished guests – King Gustav II of Sweden lodged here in 1631, and Tsar Peter I stayed at the castle in 1721. There was a youth hostel here from 1956 until 1998, and it now houses an inn that also serves food. The 30-metre-high castle keep provides a panoramic view of the landscape in the Fläming region, sculpted by the Ice Age.Length: 14 kilometres (4 hours)Start / finish: Naturparkzentrum (Nature Park Centre) in RabenLogo/route sign: Blue Alpine newt on a white backgroundHow to get there:Train: Take the RB7 (Dessau) from Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof) to Wiesenburg. From here take bus no. 591 to Klepzig, then take bus no. 592 (Niemegk) to Raben (approximately 2 hours).Car: From Berlin via the A115, A10 and the A9 to Raben (about 1.5 hours).Route: Raben, River Plane source, Planetal Valley, Rädigke, Rabenstein Castle, RabenRoute description: Start from the Naturparkzentrum (Nature Park Centre) and follow the logo with the blue Alpine newt to the right. After crossing the street, the path leads to Raben’s old public swimming pool (‘Alte Badeanstalt’). The place where the people of Raben used to go swimming is now an important spawning area for different species of amphibians. If you’re in luck you might also see the Alpine newt (called ‘Bergmolch’ in German) that gives the hiking trail its name! The next stop is the source of the River Plane, which may well disappoint some visitors. As a marshy meadow, lots of small springs form different rivulets that finally come together to create a stream that leaks out at the end of the meadow. In 1967 the Planetal Valley was declared a nature conservation area. It is the habitat for a variety of rare plants and animals including the bogbean, kingfishers, dippers, Alpine newts and several protected species of dragonfly. The aim of the 100-hectare conservation area is to maintain an uncontaminated drainage basin for spring water and the pristine biotope that includes a spring-water mire, alder-swamp forests, sedge reeds, wet meadows and reed beds.
The path is marked throughout as it meanders along the edge of the nature conservation area, varying constantly between the wet streamside meadows and the densely wooded hinterland until it reaches the old road between Grubo and Rädigke. Continue on the right along Schotterweg, crossing the River Plane again before you reach the village of Rädigke. There is a mouflon enclosure at the centre where the village square is. The circular trail follows the road uphill, past the campsite and all the way to the edge of the forest. At the summit, leave the narrow street and follow the Bergmolchwanderweg marking into the Rädigker Wald forest on the right. There are a few small changes in direction and some small elevation gains to overcome before reaching Rabenstein Castle. A tower decked with a few antennae and belonging to a falconry can be seen from far away. The castle is partially hidden within the forest. The hiking trail leads through the facility and down into the village, back to the starting point. Right opposite the Naturparkzentrum there is a very nice playground with lots of fun equipment.Sights:

Raben: Rabenstein Castle, ‘Alte Badeanstalt’ (old public swimming pool)Planetal Valley nature reserve with the source of the River PlaneRädigke: Mouflon enclosurePossible combinationsBurgenwanderweg (Castle Hiking Trail)Grüne Rummel Wanderweg (Green Valley Hiking Trail)Underfoot conditions / Surface: not specifiedMaps/Literature: "Topographische Freizeitkarte - Wandern, Reiten, Radfahren Naturpark Hoher Fläming", 1:50.000, Verlag: Landesvermessung und Geobasisinformation Brandenburg, Auflage: Neuauflage. (1. Januar 2012), ISBN 978-3-7490-4073-5, Euro 6