Stage 7: “Paul-Gerhardt Path” from Groß Köris - Märkisch Buchholz

The seventh stage mostly takes you through large woodland areas away from towns, roads and tracks. This is the longest attractive hiking route along the uninhabited bank of the Dahme, which leisurely meanders through quiet woodland and meadowland. Halfway along the trail you will come across the Oberförsterei Hammer forester’s lodge, which is steeped in history and where you can take a break: After King Frederick William I acquired the Schenken dominion of Teupitz and Buchholz in 1717, the Oberförsterei Hammer forester’s lodge was set up in 1737 as part of the princely chambers of his son August William. In the 19th century, the young crown prince and later Emperor William II often came here to hunt. Towards the end of the World War II, generals and officers of the encircled Wehrmacht took up quarters in this building. Here they prepared the hopeless breakthrough plans which lead to the encirclement battle of Halbe. After the way, the building became a forester’s lodge again. It has been restored in accordance with monument preservation requirements and attracts many visitors. In the summer, it hosts the Waldkino film screenings and the traditional Waldweihnacht forest Christmas event.
Length (duration): 15 kilometres (about 4 hours)
Route sign: Signets and hiking signs of the Paul-Gerhardt path
Route: 

The route starts along town pavements with a hard surface and once you have passed through Groß Köris you continue along an 800-metre cycle path. The route then takes you through extensive woodland with excellent natural paths, which are quiet and away from road traffic.
Trail conditions:

60% natural paths, 20% partially paved and another 20% of the paths have a hard surface.
Points of interest along the route:
Nature: Woodland, Waldweisen an der Dahme, the Dahme river and gardens at the edge of Klein Köris.
Culture: Hammer forester’s lodge

How to get there by public transport:

Start: From Groß Köris RB (regional train network) station to Königs Wusterhausen, Lübben and Berlin.

Finish: From Märkisch Buchholz there is a bus to Königs Wusterhausen.

All locations are within the VBB regional tariff zone.
How to get there by car:

There is parking at the start and finish, but there is no direct transport link between start and finish.
Recommended maps/Literature:

Aus der Serie “Schöne Heimat”: Naturpark Dahme-Heideseen, Verlag Dr. Barthel; ISBN 978-3-89591-092-0

Reschke, Manfred: Paul-Gerhardt-Weg “Natur und Kultur zwischen Berlin und Spreewald”, Trescher-Verlag; 1. Auflage 2017, 168 Seiten, 80 Fotos, 25 Karten und Stadtpläne, farbige Klappkarten, ISBN 978-3-89794-354-4

Find inspiration in the diary specifically published for this trail. The tourist information centres along the way give you hiking stickers for each completed stage, which you can stick in your diary. They also give you song sheets of the poet’s most famous songs.

You can find all souvenirs of the Paul-Gerhardt path to www.dahme-seenland.de/service/souvenirs/

Possible combinations/connection to other hiking trails:

Waldleseweg project "Lesefährte Waldweisen" along the Dahme

Circular trail around Lake Klein Köriser See

Mill & Source Hike from Lake Teupitzer See to the Klingespring source