It’s official: spring is here. As the sun gets stronger and the days longer, you might be feeling your sense of adventure growing and the need to get out and experience the change of seasons. And as nice as a busy Berlin canal might be, it’s not quite the same as a hiking trip to Brandenburg. The best rural routes offer varied landscapes of lakes, meadows and fields (not least because the forests have yet to turn green). This outing takes you to the Barnim nature reserve – or Biesentahler Becken to be precise – which until 100 years ago was used for peat extraction. Today, large areas of peatland are being reclaimed through “rewetting projects” in order to tackle the shortage of groundwater in Brandenburg. Biodiversity benefits from these efforts – as do hikers looking for a green oasis.

We start in Rüdnitz, about an hour northeast of Berlin and easy to reach by regional train and bus. A few minutes walk from there, we arrive at the Langerönner Mühle, an old mill that has been taken over by nature. Meadows, puddles and bogs abound, and if you’re attentive you’ll discover a beaver dwelling or two. Very lucky walkers might even see a kingfisher. When you reach the shore of Hellsee, we recommend a picnic on the sunny shore (bring a blanket to avoid getting wet clothes). If the spring weather is conducive, you can even take a first dip in the lake. Hellsee is connected with Wandlitzsee and Liepnitzsee, and is clear and clean. Now it’s time for trees as you return to Rüdnitz through idyllic, rolling woodland. There is no question that Berlin has a lot to offer, but the close proximity of Brandenburg with its lakes, forests, nature reserves and quaint villages is a real gift. So go escape the hustle and bustle of the big city – and if you still miss the buzz of the Landwehrkanal, you can still spend the evening with a pizza and Aperol on its banks. You’ve got to make the most of those long days, after all… 

Text & Photos: Laura Iriondo

You can view the route online here.

@fortuna.forest