In 1906, Kaiser Wilhelm II inaugurated the Teltow Canal aboard his private yacht, the Alexandria. Today, the boats and their owners may be a little less grand, but the walk along the water is anything but, whether it is raining or the sun is out. Griebnitzsee lies just beyond Wannsee and only a few S-Bahn stops from central Berlin. That’s where this hike begins, though not before a quick stop at the station café Buena Vida Coffee Roasters to top up on caffeine and get ready with rain capes and waterproof pants. The radar promises no quick end to the rain, but there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing, and for now our feet are still warm and dry in Gore-Tex shoes, the mood is cheerful, and the coffee is excellent. A short walk through the woods takes us along the Königsweg to the Teltow Canal. What strikes us is how rich the forest sounds: rain tapping on the leaves, birds calling from the treetops now that spring has brought them back. It’s remarkable how little we notice in the soundscape of everyday life, and all the nicer when a trip into nature draws our attention not just to its visual beauty, but to its acoustic beauty as well.
Following the canal bank, the route leads on to Machnower See, where a fine mist hangs over the water. In this setting, sunshine and blue skies would almost feel less fitting. We keep up the pace, though, because 17 kilometers is no short walk, and we want to stay warm. After circling the lake, we arrive at the historic lock in Kleinmachnow. Nearby stands a historic tram car from the former line 96, now converted into a small museum and information point. Since it no longer runs, we head back on foot toward Griebnitzsee station. Luckily, the final stretch leads through the woods again, where the trees shelter us from the rain. Back onto the S-Bahn and homeward bound. But after this walk, the saturated green all around leaves little doubt: rainy days can be beautiful after all.
Text & photos: Laura Iriondo
You can find the hike here.
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