Erkner: Dämeritzsee, Hiking Trails and Hauptmann’s Footsteps
Accommodation in Erkner
Erkner combines routes through the landscape with a rich local history. Lake Dämeritz, various hiking options, Gerhart Hauptmann’s time in Erkner and the local museums give your stay a range of different focal points. The weekly market and festivals are also part of the town’s character. You can shape your days according to your interests, alternating between the lake, outdoor activities, culture and local life.
Wooden bridge between the Löcknitz and Wupatzsee near Erkner
Photo: Photo: Thomas Völkel
Hiking and discovering Lake Dämeritz
The 66 Lakes Hiking Trail and the Way of St. James pass through Erkner. There are also short and long hiking routes, some of which have been developed as themed learning and discovery trails. One specific example is Wupatz’s Nature Trail, which loops around Lake Wupatz in Erkner. The routes differ not only in length: some also offer a themed way to learn about the area along the way.
Lake Dämeritz is the largest lake in Erkner and is bordered by Erkner to the east and south. Pedestrians can reach the water directly at several points, including via waterfront promenades and a leisure and recreation area. In the centre lies the 10,800-square-metre Rathauspark. It begins just behind Villa Bechstein, now Erkner’s town hall, and offers views of the lake.
Hauptmann’s time in Erkner and local history
Gerhart Hauptmann moved to Erkner with his wife Marie in autumn 1885. Together, they lived on the ground floor of Nicolaus Lassen’s villa. Since 1987, the Gerhart Hauptmann Museum has been housed in Villa Lassen. The exhibition provides an overview of the Nobel Prize winner’s life and work. The museum is scheduled to reopen in 2029; the permanent exhibition is currently closed.
Another place to explore local history is the listed Museumshof am Sonnenluch. It houses the Erkner Local History Museum and also has an herb and fruit garden. Exhibitions in a converted barn cover crafts and trades in Erkner, as well as the beginnings of Bakelite—the world’s first fully synthetic plastic—and the development of the chemical industry in Erkner. Groups can visit the tram depot and its historic museum vehicles on special occasions and by request.
Festivals and the market throughout the year
The annual local festival lasts three days and takes place outdoors in early summer. The programme includes market stalls and attractions, as well as cultural events and concerts. The Colonists’ Festival depicts the settlement of Palatine colonists around 1750. Visitors can see costumes from the local history association, stroll around a farmers’ market and watch craftspeople at work.
The Erkner weekly market takes place on Thursdays. Its offerings include fresh, regional products such as sausages, poultry, game, fresh and smoked fish, fruit, vegetables, eggs, honey, plants and specialities. A bakery also sells fresh baked goods from a mobile wood-fired oven. The market and festivals offer a different focus from the hiking trails and museum: they showcase local products and community events.
Which holiday apartment suits your plans?
When looking for a holiday apartment in Erkner, your priorities for the trip can help guide your choice: would you like to spend your days mainly on hiking trails and by the lake, or are you more interested in Hauptmann’s history, the Museumshof, the market and local events? These themes can help you plan your trip without prescribing a single daily itinerary. If you would like to visit the tram depot, please note the conditions: visits are available to groups, on special occasions and by request.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Herzberg, Fürstenwalde/Spree, Friedland, Neuzelle, Werder, Mixdorf, Beeskow, Rauen.
Go to the main travel overview: Oder-Spree.
