Stage 6: “Paul-Gerhardt Path” from Mittenwalde - Groß Köris

From the historic town centre of Mittenwald, this stage soon leads into the tranquil expanses of the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park. Here, the landscape changes its character at short intervals: open fields give way to shady woods, small villages nestle between lakes and meadows, and in between, peaceful paths invite you to take a deep breath and explore.

The crystal-clear Lake Motzen, in particular, captivates visitors with its unique atmosphere. It is regarded as the cradle of naturism in Germany and remains a popular destination to this day. With a bit of luck, you might spot the dazzling kingfisher, and sometimes even a white-tailed eagle circles above the lakes and woods. To round off the walk, a technical curiosity awaits hikers in Groß Köris. The historic drawbridge is regularly in operation during the summer months.

Length (duration): about 19 kilometres (about 5 hours)

Route sign: Signets and hiking signs of the Paul-Gerhardt path

Route: 

This route takes you mainly along natural ground and only in a few pavement sections with noise pollution. Most of the route runs through quiet countryside.

Trail conditions:

Pavements in the towns, forest paths and dirt tracks, mostly without a solid surface, elsewhere.

Points of interest along the route:

Nature: Open fields, forest, Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park with the Pätzer Seen lakes, old elm tree in Motzen.

Culture: St.-Moritz church, Paul-Gerhardt memorial, Paul-Gerhardt house, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn memorial, local history museum and Mittenwalde town centre, sculptures and local history museum in Motzen, drawbridge in Groß Köris.

By public transport:

Start: St.-Moritz church in Mittenwalde near bus stop, regular bus connections to Königs Wusterhausen railway station

Finish: Groß Köris station, RB (regional train network) to Königs Wusterhausen, Lübben and Berlin and between Motzen and Mittenwalde.

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”: Flutgrabenaue, Königs Wusterhausen und Umgebung, Verlag Dr. Barthel; ISBN 978-3-89591-097-5

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, https://www.trescher-verlag.de/reisefuehrer/deutschland/paul-gerhardt-weg.html

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 here.

Possible combinations/connection to other hiking trails:

Circular trail around the Pätzer Seen lakes

Circular trail around Lake Wolziger See and Lake Kutzingsee

Prieroser Heide Circular Trail

Klein Eichholzer Heide Circular Trail