Auf den Spuren der Treidler - A fascinating hiking trail around Storkow (Mark)

Freight was once transported laboriously over sandy land routes, but thanks to this waterway, goods could be conveniently towed on barges. As you walk along the picturesque towpath from Philadelphia to Kummersdorf, you will learn more about the fascinating history of towage.

Start / Finish Storkow Castle (Mark)
Length / Duration 17 km / approx. 4 - 5 hours
Route Philadelphia, Kummersdorf, New Boston

Tour description

The hike starts at Storkow Castle, the visitor centre of the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park. It has a free car park and is easily accessible by public transport.

The circular route is approx. 17 kilometres long and can also be covered by bike. We do not recommend cycling with small children as the towpath is very narrow and runs close to the water.

Passing the historic market square, the route leads along the green signposted ‘Salzweg’, a circular route through the Luchwiesen nature reserve with its typical salt plants such as beach trident and salt clover.

The next town is called Philadelphia. The small street village has nothing in common with its American counterpart, but a historical connection through the ‘Old Fritz’ cannot be denied.

The towpath begins at the end of the village before the canal bridge and runs for around 3 kilometres in a north-westerly direction to Kummersdorf. The path runs parallel to the water and is picturesquely lined with trees.

Following the ‘Straße der Jugend’, you pass the railway line of the RB 36 (Berlin-Frankfurt (Oder)) after around 2 km, followed by smaller wooded areas and the main road (L23), before the path reaches the small village of Neu Boston. Frederick II had a hand in this too.

Passing the Lebbiner See lake, you soon see the first houses of Storkow. The MitMachPark Irrlandia (open May - October) is well worth a detour.

Over the bascule bridge and through the old town centre, it is only a short distance back to the castle, where the circular route ends.

Sights along the route

• Storkow: Storkow Castle, Luchweisen nature reserve, Irrlandia
• towpath

The best restaurants

• Restaurant Storchenklause, Storkow (Mark)

Local information

• Tourist information centre at Storkow (Mark) Castle