Birkenwerder: Briesetal, Nature and History

Briesetal Valley and Nature Experiences

The Briese River flows through Birkenwerder, forms the Briesetal valley and empties into the Havel. A trail through the Briesetal passes alder carrs, meadows, young woodland and wetlands. Numerous rare shrubs, mosses and ferns, as well as various orchids, grow in the marshy soil; the landscape is surrounded by dense deciduous and coniferous forest. A boardwalk also crosses a wetland habitat there, spanning the Briese. It gives hikers a dry footing.

The Briesetal Forest School complements its nature-focused activities with an outdoor area of around 4,400 m², designed as a nature garden with heathland, a pond, an inland dune and a bog. Inside, the forest school features, among other things, a forest diorama with taxidermy specimens of native species. Its changing programme includes nature walks, slide shows, mushroom advice, campfire storytelling evenings and craft afternoons for families. The activities range from nature education to creative activities to enjoy together.

From the Briesetal Forest School, a hiking route about 2.5 kilometres long heads southeast back to Birkenwerder S-Bahn station. If you’d like to plan a hike with a specific destination, you can take this route into account. The boardwalk and the longer hiking route offer different ways to shape your stay in the Briesetal.

Getting Around by Bike and Train

The Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route passes through Birkenwerder. Between the village district of Briese and the motorway bridge, a hiking trail also forms part of this long-distance cycle route. According to the municipality, both the Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route and the Havel Cycle Route are suitable for day trips from Birkenwerder. This means that, alongside its hiking landscape, the area offers cyclists two named routes to consider when planning their rides.

Birkenwerder can be reached from Berlin or Oranienburg on S-Bahn lines S1 and S8, and from Potsdam and Hennigsdorf on regional train R20. Birkenwerder station was inaugurated at its current location in 1924. If you’re travelling by public transport or would like to combine excursions with a cycling tour, these connections can factor into your choice of holiday destination.

Water and Summer Outings

In the village district of Briese, a newly refurbished beach on Lake Briesesee invites visitors to swim in summer. This offers another way to spend time by the water, alongside hiking and cycling. So in Birkenwerder, your holiday might include both activities by the lake and opportunities for a trip on the water.

The climbing park is also considered particularly popular with families. Together with the changing programme at the Briesetal Forest School, it offers another option for families who want to include a variety of activities in their trip, in addition to hiking.

Village History and Culture

The Protestant village church in Birkenwerder was built by Friedrich August Stüler between 1847 and 1849. The church, the school and the former rectory, now used as a community centre, are listed buildings and were built from Birkenwerder clinker bricks. These buildings make the village’s history tangible through landmarks in its streetscape.

The Birkenwerder History Room is located at the Clara Zetkin Memorial, Summter Straße 4, 16547 Birkenwerder. Visits can be arranged by phone. On display there is also a living-room cabinet made at the former local furniture factory “Heim und Gerken”. The Clara Zetkin Museum may contain the last personal belongings of the socialist and women’s rights activist Clara Zetkin, which can be viewed. Alongside nature experiences, Birkenwerder thus offers reasons to explore local history and learn about a significant figure.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Birkenwerder, you can consider what you’d like your stay to focus on: hiking trails and the Briesetal, cycling tours, water or cultural and historical discoveries. The train connections are another concrete factor to consider when choosing your holiday destination.

More destinations

More destinations: Zehlendorf, Liebenwalde, Sonnenberg, Leegebruch, Löwenberger Land, Großwoltersdorf, Hohen Neuendorf, Gransee.

Back to the main travel overview: Oberhavel.