Oberhavel: Nature, Culture and Special Discoveries

Nature and Trails Around Stechlin

The Stechlin Nature Reserve is shaped by landforms from the Weichselian glaciation and is considered the area with the most bodies of water in the state of Brandenburg. The interactive exhibition at the Stechlin Nature Park House offers an introduction to the special features of the Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park. Next to the building, a sensory garden invites you to discover herbs, shrubs and other plants with several senses: you can taste, smell, touch and hear them there. This offers a way to explore nature not only through the landscape, but also through direct sensory experiences.

The approximately 6 km-long forest and water adventure trail around Roofensee makes a good addition to a day that includes a visit to the Nature Park House. If you would rather follow a literary trail, THEOsWEG offers a different perspective: it leads from Meseberg to Neuglobsow, past places that inspired Theodor Fontane’s works, including “Wanderings through the Mark Brandenburg” and the novel “Der Stechlin.” You can reach the Stechlinsee circular trail by taking the RE 5 and then bus routes 836 from Gransee or 839 from Fürstenberg/Havel to Neuglobsow.

There are also longer routes to explore: the 66 Lakes Hiking Trail and the European long-distance hiking trail E 10 pass through Oberhavel district. For cyclists, the Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route runs through the town of Zehdenick. Around 260 km² of the Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park lie within Oberhavel.

Palace History and Industrial Heritage

Oranienburg is home to the oldest Baroque palace in the Mark of Brandenburg. The palace museum displays famous works of art from the 17th century, as well as a silver chamber and a porcelain chamber. One exhibition room at the Oberhavel Regional Museum is devoted exclusively to the palace’s history, from the Ascanian castle built around 1200 to its present-day use. A visit lets you explore both the long history of the site and the art and collections of the palace museum.

The Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum in Oranienburg offers a different way to engage with history. Visitors can learn about different aspects of the site’s history in 13 smaller permanent exhibitions; the institution is also a modern museum of contemporary history. It is about a 20-minute walk from Oranienburg railway station. If culture and history are the focus of your trip, these destinations can help shape your decision to stay in Oranienburg.

At Mildenberg Brickworks Park, industrial heritage and nature meet directly on the Havel, in the Zehdenick clay-pit landscape. One hands-on experience is the brickworks railway driving certificate: visitors drive a real diesel locomotive for half an hour and learn how to start, brake and operate points. Families will also find plenty of ways to play in Oranienburg Palace Park, including climbing rocks, bouncy cushions, trampolines, swings, slacklines and a playhouse. The water play area includes a muddy track, spray features, a playable eight-metre-long whale and water-spouting volcanoes.

Getting Around and Choosing What Matters Most

Boaters can find services at numerous marinas and landing stages in Zehdenick, Hennigsdorf, Fürstenberg/Havel and at Mildenberg Brickworks Park. Together with the hiking and cycling routes, these offer a range of ways to explore, without requiring every destination to share the same starting point. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether palaces and museums, walking or cycling routes, nature experiences around Stechlin, or the Havel and boating are most important for your stay. On a farm holiday in Oberhavel, you can also enjoy products from local producers.

More Places in Oberhavel

Discover more destination pages in Oberhavel: Mühlenbecker Land, Wesendorf, Amalienfelde, Kremmen, Löwenberger Land, Leegebruch, Oberkrämer, Zehlendorf, Großmutz, Großwoltersdorf, Schönermark, Oranienburg, Zehdenick, Liebenwalde, Liebenberg, Hohen Neuendorf, Hennigsdorf, Birkenwerder, Gransee, Sonnenberg, Fürstenberg/Havel, Stechlin and Glienicke/Nordbahn.

For the higher-level travel overview: Brandenburg.