The past few days have not been easy ones. The great injustice caused by the war against Ukraine, the powerlessness and the incomprehension have severely shaken all of us. I don’t want to claim that walking can be a solution – informing oneself, offering help and showing solidarity are more appropriate ways – but walking can help the mind to find some peace for a moment. If you feel that way too, this day trip might be the thing for you. This time, take the regional train (RB24) from Ostkreuz to Oderin, which is only seven stations and about 50 kilometers south of Berlin. Directly behind the train station, a kilometer-long gravel path leads through the village’s meadows and fields to the forest. We’d describe this first stretch of forest simply as a “pine monoculture” or a “steppe pine forest.” In spring, logging works are going on, so there are currently solitary tree trunks lying on the overgrown mossy green ground, and branches alongside damp moss and new seedlings. Even though this description may sound rather gloomy, the silence of the forest and its enchanting scent of freshly cut wood, moss and moist spring soil is a special experience. The quiet we experienced that day added to the tranquility, though this may be due to the drizzle of rain that accompanied us.
As we went deep into the forest, we were reminded of Shinrin-Yoku, the original Japanese term for forest bathing. Scientists have found that a day in the forest has a significant impact on breathing, pulse and blood pressure. In Japan, it’s often advised to go to the forest at least twice a month to prevent burnout and cardiovascular disease. After about two kilometers, we reached the Dahme-Heidensee Nature Park, one of the largest protected areas in Brandenburg. From here on, it becomes much hillier and more diverse in terms of flora and fauna. I recommend taking a short break on one of the fallen birch trunks and observing the treetops as they move synchronously in the wind. Notice the way the trees maintain a discreet distance from each other; this is known as “crown shyness” and mainly occurs with the same varieties of trees. About halfway through your walk, you can reach the wooden lookout tower on the “Wehlaberg,” from where you can marvel at the forest and its lakes from above – unfortunately, we missed the turnoff and ended up directly at the Schwanensee. From here, the route runs parallel along several small lakes back to Oderin, where the regional train brings its rejuvenated city dwellers back home every hour.
Text & Photos: Laura Iriondo
Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park; map
You can find more details about the route on Komoot. The RB24 from Ostkreuz will quickly connect you to Oderin.
