Stechlin: Lakeside trails, nature park visitor centre and glassmaking history

Lakeside circular trails, a wooden walkway across a moor and stories of glassmaking shape the range of excursions in Stechlin. Nature and local history offer different points of focus: the emphasis around the water and moor differs from that of exhibitions or a historic bell casting. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether hiking, experiencing nature or local history should be the defining feature of your stay.

Lakes, shorelines and moorland

Circular walking trails around Lake Großer Stechlinsee and Lake Dagowsee start in the area of the resort town of Neuglobsow. This starting point is particularly useful for visitors who like to make a walk the centrepiece of their day. The Stechlinsee circular trail follows the lakeshore to the Mordbuche, a beech tree associated with a gruesome story. The “From Moor to Moor” nature trail offers a different experience: it crosses a moor on a wooden walkway. Check current local conditions before setting out.

Experience nature in Menz

The NaturParkHaus Stechlin in Menz is the visitor centre for the Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park. It includes a sensory garden, a large aquarium with native fish and a barefoot sensory trail. The three attractions offer different ways to experience nature: a garden, the chance to observe native fish and a trail experienced through the feet. This provides a different focus for planning your day alongside the circular trails. If you enjoy combining nature topics with local history, you can weigh these offerings against the exhibitions and historic sites in Stechlin.

Glassmaking history and a bell

The exhibition “Twelve Stories of Glass” is housed in the more than 200-year-old glassmakers’ house in Neuglobsow. It tells the story of Madame Pirl, the founding of Neuglobsow, and the life and hard work of the glassmakers. The exhibition therefore covers both the town’s origins and the glassmakers’ everyday working lives. Check visitor arrangements before your trip.

Dollgow is home to a church built in 1767. It houses one of Brandenburg’s oldest bells, cast in 1490 by the Dutch master Gerhard de Wou. The dates point to two different historical periods: the bell is older than the church building. For anyone interested in regional architecture and craftsmanship, the church and the glassmakers’ house are two separate places to visit.

Choose a location that suits your stay

The locations can help when you are looking for a holiday apartment. If the circular trails around Lake Großer Stechlinsee and Lake Dagowsee are your main focus, Neuglobsow is a practical starting point. Menz is home to the NaturParkHaus; in Dollgow, the focus is on the church and its distinctive bell. Consider which of these topics matters most to your stay, then compare the location of a specific accommodation with the places you want to visit. This way, you can choose your location according to your daily plans rather than a general impression of the municipality.

Oberhavel as a wider setting

The Ruppiner Seenland tourism region is part of the wider travel destination of Oberhavel. The 66 Lakes Trail and European long-distance path E10 cross the district of Oberhavel. Neuglobsow, a starting point for the Stechlinsee circular trail, can be reached on the RE 5 and by bus routes 836 from Gransee and 839 from Fürstenberg/Havel. Check timetables before travelling. This wider regional setting complements the specific local highlights: trails around the lakes, the moor crossing, the NaturParkHaus and the history of the villages.

Discover more destinations: Hohen Neuendorf, Schönermark, Fürstenberg/Havel, Zehlendorf, Hennigsdorf, Birkenwerder, Großwoltersdorf, Oranienburg.

Back to the main travel overview: Oberhavel.