Zarrentin am Schaalsee: Nature and Monastery History
Accommodation in Zarrentin am Schaalsee
Zarrentin am Schaalsee is located in the Schaalsee UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You can discover the area’s nature and local history in different ways: from a short circular trail through a protected calcareous lowland mire to longer hikes and guided tours of the town and former monastery. Planning your trip around these interests lets you choose between outdoor activities, information about the region’s natural features, and historic sites.
File:Klosterkirche in Zarrentin am Schaalsee.jpg
Photo: Der Prignitzer via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
Hiking between moorland and lakes
The approximately 1.2 km Moor Experience Trail starts directly behind the PAHLHUUS. This circular trail passes through a protected calcareous lowland mire and is a clearly defined option for a short walk. The PAHLHUUS, the biosphere reserve’s central information center, is located at the starting point. An exhibition there showcases the region’s unique natural features, and tourist information is also available. The center is modern and accessible. Bicycles can also be rented there during opening hours.
Another option is the Kirchensee Circular Trail: this easy hike is about 3 km long and starts in Zarrentin. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Schaalsee and Lake Kirchensee. For a longer outing, the 8 km Monastery Route offers a different scale. This scenic circular trail combines the notable flora and fauna of the biosphere reserve with historic remains of the former 13th-century Cistercian nunnery. The trail lengths help you choose a hike to suit your preferred distance; the Monastery Route adds historic landmarks to the natural setting.
Monastery and local history
Zarrentin Monastery is a former Cistercian nunnery on the southern shore of Lake Schaalsee. It bears the name “Heaven’s Gate.” The monastery offers guided tours of the town of Zarrentin am Schaalsee and the former monastery throughout the year. These tours give visitors a chance to learn about the town and the monastery’s history with a guide. The monastery’s historic remains also feature along the Monastery Route, while the former monastery itself is the subject of the guided tours.
The Zarrentin Local History Museum adds another perspective on the town’s past. It was founded in 1988 and has been located in the present-day monastery barn at Kirchplatz since 2000. The two dates mark different milestones: the museum’s founding and its later move to the monastery barn. Those interested in the town can include the local history museum in their plans, alongside guided tours and the historic remains along the Monastery Route.
Getting your bearings around the PAHLHUUS
The PAHLHUUS is located at Wittenburger Chaussee 13 in Zarrentin am Schaalsee. It can be reached via the A 24, B 195, and L 04, as well as by buses operated by Verkehrsgesellschaft Ludwigslust-Parchim mbH. This information provides practical directions for reaching the information center. Zarrentin Beach is about 500 m from the PAHLHUUS, at Wittenburger Chaussee 98.
A cruise on Lake Schaalsee is another of the options described: it passes islands and peninsulas, Zarrentin’s promenade, and the former inner German border. This adds views of the lake and its surroundings to the hiking trails and historic sites. Other places in the same group of pages are Kogel, Gallin, Vellahn and Lüttow-Valluhn.
For the broader travel overview: Amt Zarrentin.
