Mecklenburg Lake District: Nature, Water and Culture

Hiking trails through forests, moors and lakes

Müritz National Park is part of the Mecklenburg Lake District. Forests, moors, lakes and wide meadows characterize the national park. The Müritz National Park Hiking Trail covers the area's landscapes and distinctive features over nine stages. It runs along lakes, through ancient forests, past inland dunes and to the source of the Havel.

The nine stages give the hiking route a clear structure; the landscapes described highlight the transitions between water, forest and open areas. If you prefer to explore nature with an expert guide, you can also look into tours led by certified nature and landscape guides. They offer informative tours through Müritz National Park, including tours in the UNESCO World Heritage beech forest of Serrahn and tours from the water.

Bison reserve and forest discovery trail

The Damerower Werder Bison Reserve is located on a peninsula in Lake Kölpin, in the Mecklenburg Lake District and Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heath Nature Park. You can observe the animals there. The reserve also has a forest discovery trail with climbing opportunities, an ant house, an exhibition with touch-and-see panels, and a dendrophone.

Here, wildlife watching goes hand in hand with several hands-on activity stations. This makes the visit different from a hike on the Müritz National Park Trail, whose nine stages take in a variety of landscape types. When choosing a nature outing, consider whether you would rather focus on animals and individual activity stations or on a structured hiking route.

Waterways and special crossings

From Neustrelitz town harbor, paddlers and other water travelers can explore Müritz National Park and the Strelitz Small Lakes via the Upper Havel Waterway. This offers a different way to experience the region's landscapes: rather than following a route on foot, the focus is on exploring from the water. In the Feldberg Lake District, there is also a hand-operated cable ferry across Lake Schmaler Luzin.

For planning, the difference between a hiking trail and a waterway is a practical place to start: one option takes you through varied landscapes over nine stages, while the other leads from Neustrelitz along a waterway toward the national park and the Strelitz Small Lakes. The cable ferry adds a distinctive crossing over Lake Schmaler Luzin. Decide in advance which of these activities you would like to include in your trip.

Museums and walks in a castle park

Cultural destinations offer different experiences, too. AGRONEUM Alt Schwerin is an open-air museum in Alt Schwerin, in the Mecklenburg Lake District, with a history spanning more than 60 years. The Rechlin Aviation Technology Museum is located in Rechlin Nord.

At Mirow Castle Park, the focus is on walks along the lakeshore, through baroque avenues and to Love Island. A walk in the park can therefore be planned as a distinct activity alongside museum visits and outdoor pursuits. When choosing a hotel, first decide which type of outing matters most for your trip, then tailor your search accordingly.

A nearby destination

Near the Mecklenburg Lake District, BÄRENWALD Müritz is located in Stuer. This 16-hectare sanctuary is a natural habitat for rescued brown bears. BÄRENWALD is open daily year-round; check its opening hours again before your trip. You can reach it by bike via the cycle path around Lake Plau or the Mecklenburg Lakes Cycle Route.

Discover more destinations: Neustrelitz, Waren / Müritz, Dargun, Demmin, Neubrandenburg, Feldberg Lake District, Demmin-Land Administrative District, Friedland Administrative District, Malchin Administrative District on Lake Kummerow, Malchow Administrative District, Mecklenburg Small Lakes Administrative District, Neustrelitz-Land Administrative District, Neverin Administrative District, Penzliner Land Administrative District, Röbel-Müritz Administrative District, Waren Lake District Administrative District, Stargarder Land Administrative District, Stavenhagen Administrative District, Treptower Tollensewinkel Administrative District, Woldegk Administrative District, Vielist, Groß Dratow.