Around Lake Hohennauer See

Length: 23 kilometres (5-6 hours)

Start/finish: Hohenauen

Logo/route sign: red crossbar against a white background

Directions:

• Public transport: Take the RE4 from Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof) to Rathenow. From here take bus 684 (Neustadt/Dosse( to Spaatz. Cover the last 1.5 kilometres to Hohennauen on foot (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes).
• Car: From Berlin via the A24. From Fehrbellin via Friesack and Rhinow. Finally via the B102 to Hohenauen (approximately 1.5 hours).

Route: Hohennauen, Semlin, Ferchesar, Wassersuppe, Hohennauen

Route description: This scenic hike begins on the west bank of the lake in the village of Hohennauen. You walk past the Baroque village church towards Rathenow and cross the waterway Hohennauener Wasserstrasse, which connects the lake to the River Havel. At the first opportunity, turn left after the bridge in the direction of Semlin. After passing through a small settlement you return to the road to Semlin, from which a dirt track soon branches off to the left, leading directly to the lakeside. Walking along the reed belt and past various bathing spots, you return to the road to Semlin. When you have reached the village, turn left and you will come to the Semlin lakeside promenade. Here there are benches where you can enjoy a leisurely rest with an impressive view over the lake Hohennauener See.

Passing along a beautiful meadow path and narrow trails close to the shore, you finally reach Ferchesar. This lovely village has been known as the Pearl of Havelland” ever since the beginning of the 19th century. From here you walk back along the northern shore towards Hohennauen and pass through Ferchesar forest. The section to Buntspecht campsite again remains close to the shore, after which you walk along an elevated path through the forest from where you can enjoy the view over the lake.

Once you get to the main forest path, turn left into it and you will soon reach open fields. You then cross the canal over a small bridge that connects the lakes Hohennauener See and Witzker See before finally reaching the road to Wassersuppe. Here, keep left and pass through the village with the curious name. You finally return to Hohenauen on field tracks and along the flood protection dyke.

Havel-Elbe Hiking Trail combination options:

Trail conditions/surface: natural paths

Maps/Literature: "Havelland – Wandern und Rad", 1:50.000, KOMPASS-Karten, Innsbruck, Auflage: Neuauflage. (Februar 2009), ISBN 978-3854915058, Euro 9.95