Gutow: Mare Parade and Nature Experiences

Gutow lies at the entrance to a varied terminal moraine landscape south of Güstrow; the landscape is part of the Mecklenburg Lake District. Insel and Sumpfsee lakes border the municipal area. Gutow’s fruit orchards also shape the seasonal scenery: they are worth seeing when in bloom. The landforms, lakes and fleeting sight of the blossoms offer different highlights for nature enthusiasts.

Swimming spots and protected area

There are municipal swimming spots in Bülower Burg and Gutow, within the Gutower Moor and Schöninsel Nature Reserve. Seasonal conditions may vary. Swimming opportunities are set within a protected landscape with specific visitor rules: the moorland areas of the nature reserve are off-limits, and Schöninsel may not be entered either.

Small information boards describing the area’s special features are located at two entrances to the protected area. Motorized watercraft with combustion engines are not permitted on the waters of the nature reserve. These notices help distinguish swimming areas from protected zones and keep restrictions on activities on the water and on land in mind.

In the vicinity of Gutow, numerous geese and ducks, as well as kingfishers and black kites, can be observed on Lake Inselsee during the breeding and migratory stopover seasons. A flow-through mire with rare moorland plants has also been preserved on the western shore of Lake Inselsee within the nature reserve. Seasonal wildlife watching and the distinctive moorland landscape are two different nature experiences in the area.

Horses and the Ganschow Mare Parade

The Ganschow Mare Parade in Gutow is a highlight in its own right. The event attracts several thousand visitors each year and takes place over three weekends in July. Check the specific dates with the organizers if you would like to plan your trip around the parade.

The Mare Parade is a family event: more than 200 horses and their handlers present a combination of breeding, sport and show. The program includes around 20 performances. These include Germany’s largest tandem quadrille, with 32 harnessed horses, led by Manfred Ulrich. The parade brings together different insights into horse breeding, performances and horse-drawn teams.

On the days of the Mare Parade, visitors can tour the stud’s stables from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. At Ganschow Stud, visitors can also get to know the horses under saddle or in harness and see how they were raised. These offer different ways to explore the world of horses: the parade program and a closer look at the stud’s horses.

Choosing a season for nature and travel

When planning your trip, you can distinguish between the parade’s regular July dates and the area’s other nature experiences. If you are coming for the Mare Parade, the three July weekends offer a guide; check the specific dates. If you are more interested in observing nature, you can focus on the breeding and migratory stopover seasons at Lake Inselsee or the fruit orchards’ blossom season. These periods are not interchangeable: they offer different highlights in Gutow and its surroundings.

The landscape also offers several options to consider when choosing a destination as part of your travel plans: the lakes bordering the municipality, the terminal moraine landscape south of Güstrow, the protected moorland areas and the horse-related attractions in Ganschow. Access restrictions in the nature reserve are just as important as the designated swimming spots. If you primarily want to experience the Mare Parade, plan your search around the event dates; for nature interests, blossom and wildlife-watching seasons are more relevant.

Nature in the wider Rostock destination

The wider Rostock destination also offers other nature experiences. Sternberger Seenland Nature Park, with its deeply incised breakthrough valleys along the Warnow, numerous lakes, picturesque hills and extensive forests, is particularly suited to hiking and cycling. Also within the wider Rostock destination, visitors can explore Wildpark-MV independently or join guided walks, including wolf, owl and evening walks.

Discover more destinations: Sarmstorf, Plaaz, Gülzow-Prüzen, Lüssow, Kuhs, Glasewitz, Klein Upahl, Mühl Rosin.

View the wider travel overview: Amt Güstrow-Land.