History and Hidden Spots: A Scenic Scharmützelsee Cycle

Lake Scharmützelsee is one of Brandenburg’s most beautiful bodies of water and it’s only an hour from Berlin, making it the perfect day trip. On this scenic cycling tour, you’ll circle the lake while taking in surrounding natural beauty, listening to local history, and stopping for optional refreshing swims.

The tour starts and ends in Bad Saarow, the largest town around the lake. As you follow the 27-kilometer route along gentle lakeside paths with optional forest detours, I’ll share insider knowledge about the best restaurants, hidden beaches, and fascinating stories that shaped these lakeside communities.

The tour takes you through charming towns like Wendisch Rietz, where nine different lakes converge, and historic ones like Storkow. You’ll hear about the elegant 1920s villas built by Berlin’s wealthy elite, what became of the Jewish families who once called this area home, and how properties were transformed from East German state properties to modern resorts and spas.

Along the way you’ll have the chance to:

• Take a dip in the refreshing and clean lake, or just sunbathe on the beach
• Stop for coffee, drinks, lunch, or delicious ice cream
• Gaze at the storks in the fields, or nesting on top of stork-tower
• Marvel at some unique houses built by adventurous architects including Villa Parolo (Egg House), and Schwedenhaus (Swedish House)
• Pet lamas at Scharmuntzelland Freizeitpark Wendisch Rietz, a children’s amusement park
• Watch stand-up-paddlers, kayak riders and boat motorists on their way through canals and locks

The tour takes about three hours and extends over 27 kilometers. There are wonderful places to stop along the way, such as restaurants, beaches, canals, and ice cream parlors so you can easily make this an all-day trip.

So pump up your bike and let’s head out on a fun, adventurous tour through beautiful scenery and amazing nature.