Some books end up sitting on your coffee table. And some see you standing on a train platform at 8 am on your next free Sunday. Von See zu See by Daniela Bialk belongs to the latter category. Following the 66-Lakes Trail that loops around Berlin, this guidebook reveals what we often forget: Brandenburg as a vast natural playground filled with quiet shorelines, forest paths, and easy escapes from city life. What I particularly love about this softcover book is that it feels more like a recommendation from a good friend than a traditional hiking guide. Across 202 pages, author Daniela Bialk guides readers through eighteen stages around Berlin. Originally from Koblenz, Bialk is a graphic designer and passionate hiker who brings together her love of water, forests, photography, and design in this book. Instead of dry route descriptions, readers are met with personal observations and a visual language that immediately inspires you to start planning your next outing. The full route covers 416 kilometers, but can easily be broken down into individual sections — perfect if you’re not looking to embark on a long-distance hike just yet.
Helpful GPX tracks are available for download, and practical information on reaching each stage by public transport makes spontaneous adventures easier. What makes the book especially appealing is that it isn’t focused on endurance or ticking off kilometers. Instead, the lakes, rivers, and stretches of woodland are presented as an invitation to slow down and be more intentional about the journey itself. So if you’ve been thinking about rediscovering Brandenburg, consider this your next read. In the end, it might only take a single stage to realize just how much nature is waiting at your doorstep.
Text: Meta Leschik / Photos: Mohit Amlani
Von See zu See by Daniela Bialk, published by GU Verlag in German.
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