Hiking can be done all year round and every season brings something special with it. The first balmy day of Spring, when my partner Yulia kindly reminds me again to apply sunscreen to my face and shoulders, is a clear sign that our favorite hiking season is about to begin. We pack bath towels in our backpacks, jute bags with us for treasures we find along the way (like ground ivy, elderflowers or woodruff), and bug spray is also essential! We take the regional train from Berlin’s Ostkreuz directly to Brandenburg’s “Groß Kreutz”, the train takes about an hour and takes us right through Berlin and Potsdam, with all their sights and characteristic prefabricated buildings. Once we arrive at our destination, we head straight for field paths and pine groves in the direction of Deez. Taking a detour in the woods at a clearing, we enjoy our second breakfast in the mild sunshine. The important thing about hiking is to set little rituals and traditions: picnicking, bathing, picking mushrooms and picking a bouquet of flowers for the return trip home.
After eight kilometers we arrive at the “Deezer Erdlöcher”, where clay was quarried from 1850-1950 for the production of bricks and shipped to Berlin via the Havel River. Today, fishers enjoy their hobby in the ponds, but swans, herons and beavers’ burrows can also be discovered along the narrow paths between the many tranquil pools. Whoever thought Brandenburg was characterized by lakelands and forests is mistaken: Götzer Berg with its proud 108 meters of altitude, ranked 35th among the highest mountains in Brandenburg, awaits the ascent. I promise, you can do it! Another 27 meters of climbing allow a 360 degree panorama on the lookout tower standing there. And since we were talking about rituals, we have our next one up there, a little picnic and some more tea. Down the hill stretches an idyllic landscape of moss-covered forest floor, between pines and birch trees, which resembles a green flokati carpet. If you’ve had enough of nature and spring, you can board the train back to Berlin in neighboring Götz. Ambitious hikers can continue for another five kilometers towards Groß Kreutz in a wooded area parallel to the train tracks. The loop is about 20 kilometers and can be completed in five to six hours, depending on how frequently and extensively you take breaks. The route is very quiet despite its proximity to Potsdam, and with its diverse landscape it’s an absolute favorite in our personal hiking repertoire.
Text & Photos: Laura Iriondo
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