The days are getting shorter and it’s time to adapt your hiking route planning to the few hours of sunshine. In other words: it’s time to set off earlier and seek out Brandenburg’s hiking highlights close to the city. Hellsee is one such highlight. In my opinion, it gets far too little attention, which is probably because its neighboring lake, Liebnitzsee, with its deep blue and clear water, is an “all-time favorite” among Berliners. But in the fall, we don’t want to go swimming, we want to get away from the urban hustle and bustle. So it’s off to Gesundbrunnen station, from where it’s just a 30-minute ride north-east to Rüdnitz, a sleepy little village in Barnim. After a short distance, you’ll end up in an idyllic beech forest. Most of the leaves have now fallen from the trees in late fall and the reddish-brown foliage crunches under the soles of your hiking boots. But Hellsee has more to offer than just beech forests. To get from Rüdnitz to the lake, you walk past the lush green “Uppstallfliess”, the dead trees rise from the green still water, the untouched nature reserve is diligently shaped by beavers and if you are observant, you can discover one or two of their wooden dwellings at the water’s edge.
At Hellsee, a sunny path leads along the shore. Toppled trees jut into the water and balancing on their trunks and looking down to the bottom of the clear and calm lake is a pretty good little activity. But what we want on fall hikes is coziness and some warmth to regulate our cold hands and noses back to body temperature. It’s a good idea to make a little detour to the restaurant Bellevue halfway along the trail. The charm of the Hungarian restaurant is most welcome. Hot chocolate, apple strudel and pancakes with apricot and mango jam or curd cheese strudel help to warm you up, but you shouldn’t get too cozy (before the sun sets). Autumn is perhaps my favorite hiking season, but Hellsee is definitely one of my favorite destinations. I think it’s because of the peace and quiet to be found there — and the delicious pancakes.
Text & Photos: Laura Iriondo
Hellsee Tour
@fortuna.forest
