Märkische Runde in Erkner

Start / Finish: Hohenbinder Weg, right next to the “Knirpsenhausen” daycare center
Length / Duration: 8 kilometers / 2 hours
Nature of the route: mainly natural paths
Course: Hohenbinder Weg, Kurpark, Albert-Kiekebusch-Weg, Karutzsee, Spreewiesenblick, Alte Eiche, Hohenbinder Weg

Route description

The route begins on the Albert-Kiekebusch-Weg, which starts at Hohenbinder Weg, through a beech grove, a remnant of the former spa gardens. The trail then leads past Lake Karutz, a toteis lake surrounded by marshy meadows with rare fen plants. Passing the settlement of Karutzhöhe, the path leads in an arc along the Spree meadows.

Interesting facts: The path was named after the archaeologist Prof. Dr Albert Kiekebusch, who lived in Hohenbinde from 1919 until his death in 1935. Kiekebusch is regarded as one of the founders of scientific excavation techniques and exhibition methods. As director of the Prehistoric Department of the Märkisches Museum, he initiated numerous excavations in the Berlin area. 

The original buildings of the Hohenbinde settlement, first mentioned in 1606, were largely destroyed by an ammunition explosion in 1944. Among the destroyed houses was the home of Kiekebusch, whose widow fell victim to this event.

Bronze Age graves were uncovered near the spa gardens in 1919 and 1958. The excavations revealed, among other things, well-preserved ancillary vessels. The artefacts are attributed to the Lusatian culture. 

The path runs parallel to the road for a short distance before turning right onto the next paved path. On the right, you pass the "Heim Gottesschutz", an institution for the disabled built in 1909.

After about 200 metres, keep left again and walk a short distance along the edge of the forest. On the right is the settlement "Alte Hausstelle", first mentioned in a document in 1652. The route now leads through the forest to the end of the path. 

The Albert-Kiekebusch-Weg ends here and the Märkische Runde continues through another section of forest to Hohenbinde. 

In the village, follow Strandschlossweg and turn left onto Gottesbrücker Weg. Follow this over the bend in the Spreeradweg and after about 160 metres turn right into the forest path. After around 1 kilometre, follow the path that branches off to the left and after 500 metres you will come to Alte Poststraße, which leads back into the city. The Alte Poststraße continues through the countryside as today's Gerhart-Hauptmann-Straße.

Interesting facts: Today's Friedrichstraße dates back to the Berlin - Frankfurt (Oder) postal line established in 1711/12. The route ran from Rahnsdorf via Arckenow (today Flakenfließ). A post office with a jug was set up there. This meant that horses could be changed in Erkner for the journey, which sometimes took several days. The postal line only lost its importance with the opening of the Berlin-Frankfurt railway in 1842.

The Märkische Runde leads to just before the motorway, where a rest area under an old oak tree invites you to linger. This is where the Alte Poststraße begins.
(Note: Alte Poststraße was converted into a cycle path as part of the Tesla settlement in 2022. Since then, the footpath has had to be shared with cycle traffic).

From the Alte Eiche, continue straight ahead for approx. 1.1 km through the Märkisch pine forest to the Karutzhöhe housing estate - detached houses on the left, forest on the right. After about 400 metres on a straight path, you leave the settlement and enter a mixed pine forest again.

From here, the path leads almost dead straight through the Märkisch forest to the A10 motorway.

The trail ends south of Erkneraner Friedhof cemetery in a large car park on Gerhard-Hauptmann-Straße, where there is also a small football pitch.

Interesting facts: Gerhart Hauptmann liked to walk along the Alte Poststraße in his day. He was so fond of it that he set the 9th adventure of his epic Till Eulenspiegel here. The work tells the story of a soldier in the First World War. At the start of the trail is a plaque from the Gerhart Hauptmann ∙ Places project with visual and textual impressions.

Refreshment tip:

• 
  Waldcafé: The Waldcafé is located halfway along the Albert Kiekebusch Trail on the grounds of the Lobetal Foundation. Here you can enjoy homemade cakes and coffee from the DEKAFFEE roastery.