Neukalen – Harbor, Nature and Town History
Accommodation in Neukalen
Neukalen combines waterways and nature excursions with a distinctive town history. At the harbor, take in views of the Peene Canal and its connection to Lake Kummerow; in the historic town center, a ring-shaped street network defines the townscape. If you plan your vacation here, you can choose from experiences on the water, cycling tours and discoveries around town.
Plan de L´Affaire de Neuv-Kahlen le 2 de Janvier L´an 1762
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Harbor and Waterways
Redesigned in 1993, the harbor is located on the Peene Canal, which flows into Lake Kummerow. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the market square. The harbor is a meeting place and mooring for water sports enthusiasts. From Neukalen Harbor, you can explore the surrounding area by canoe; nearby waterways are also suitable for this. In the Peene Valley River Landscape Nature Park, watercraft are permitted on the Peene Canal near Neukalen.
Another way to get out on the water is to use the modern motorboats at the Yachtcharter Schulz base in Neukalen. They are intended for exploring the Peene and for trips toward the Baltic Sea coast. Canoes and motorboats therefore offer different ways to experience the water landscape.
Cycling and Experiencing Nature
Neukalen is a starting point for excursions into the flora and fauna of the species-rich Peene Valley River Landscape and Mecklenburg Switzerland and Lake Kummerow nature parks. One cycling tour leads from Neukalen to the place known as Aalbude. Its route runs along the edge of the Große Rosin renaturalization area. The flooded area provides a habitat for many animal and plant species. White-tailed eagles and migratory birds can be spotted there; an observation platform at the edge of the forest offers views of the landscape.
A cycling tour around Lake Kummerow can also be combined with a detour to Neukalen. The harbor and historic town center offer contrasting highlights: at the harbor, you’ll find access to the Peene Canal, while the ring-shaped street network reveals the distinctive layout of the old town center. The winding lanes invite you to take a stroll through town.
Rail-Biking and Walking Trails
If you’d like to take a trip along a disused railway line, you can ride a rail bike on the Dargun–Salem line, which was closed in 1996. The approximately 17 km route runs to the shores of Lake Kummerow. From the starting point in Dargun, Neukalen station can be reached in about one and a half to two hours.
A walking trail leads from the market square via Lutherstraße and the promenade, past the former railway station and into the Gartsbruch. The route to Salem is well signposted; the tour ends at Ratmannsteich in Neukalen. This gives you a choice of a cycling tour, a rail-bike ride or a walk through town.
Town History and Traditions
The Neukalen Railway Museum shows how railway workers’ uniforms developed over several centuries. Exhibits include various epaulettes dating from 1872 to 1918. Five historic railway wagons stand at the neighboring freight yard; one of them houses a café.
The oldest intact fire station in Mecklenburg also stands at Ratmannsteich. It is one of the historic features to discover when exploring Neukalen’s local history. Town festivals also shape cultural life: the Neukalen Shooting Guild of 1689 holds its annual shooting festival in the Gartsbruch at the end of June, together with the club and town festival. Carnival has been celebrated on a grand scale in Neukalen since 1958.
When choosing your vacation destination, you can decide what to focus on: waterways, cycling tours through the countryside or historic places in the town center. This lets you tailor your search for a holiday apartment to the experiences that matter most for your trip.
More places to explore: Malchin, Gielow, Basedow, Kummerow, Gorschendorf, Faulenrost and Duckow.
For the broader travel overview: Amt Malchin by Lake Kummerow.
