Müritz: Discover nature and landscapes in the national park

On the eastern shore of the Müritz, the landscape reveals its origins in the last major glaciation: the shore is a sandy outwash plain that slopes very gently. Extensive reed beds, moors and swamp forests shape this part of the Müritz; water levels in the moors and swamp forests fluctuate considerably with the seasons. Around the Müritz, Germany’s largest lake, the Müritz National Park encompasses a protected area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for your stay, you can first plan your days around the nature experiences you want, whether that means views, cycling and hiking trails, wildlife watching or outings on the water.

Forests, moors and wildlife watching

The landscape of the Müritz National Park extends beyond the eastern shore: forests, moors, lakes and wide meadows define its scenery. At the same time, the national park provides protected habitats for many endangered animal and plant species, including cranes, ospreys, white-tailed eagles and red deer. Crane watching is especially popular in autumn; ospreys and white-tailed eagles are also among the wildlife you may spot. However, sightings cannot be planned with certainty. Nature watching is therefore a seasonal experience, whose appeal lies precisely in taking a closer look at these habitats.

Viewpoints and trails with their own character

For an overview of the landscape, the Käflingsberg Tower offers views across the entire Müritz section of the national park. From the observation tower at Lake Großer Serrahnsee, you can look out over the lake and the surrounding forest. Two towers, two different views: one over the national park area by the Müritz, the other over the lake and forest at Serrahn.

The trails also offer different experiences. The “Blauer Radfahrer” circular route between Boek and Schwarzenhof lets you explore the landscape on the eastern shore of the Müritz by bike. The forest nature trail from Zinow to Dianenhof passes through the forest landscape around Serrahn, with its ancient and primeval beech forests, which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. More than 600 kilometres of marked hiking and cycling trails also lead through unspoilt nature in the Müritz National Park. Check the conditions for your chosen route before setting out.

On-the-water experiences and local information

Environmentally friendly boat and canoe trips are permitted on many lakes in the Müritz National Park. This does not apply to every lake, and the national park’s rules must also be observed. If you are planning an outing on the water, take these conditions into account when choosing your route.

Nature trails, ranger-led tours and information centres offer insights into the local flora and fauna. The national park information centres feature exhibitions about nature and the landscape, as well as personal tips and advice from rangers on worthwhile tours and wildlife-watching spots. Individual exhibitions and opening hours may change; check these details before planning a specific visit.

Which experiences should guide your choice of location?

When choosing your holiday apartment, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip: should your time be devoted mainly to viewpoints, a cycling or hiking route, wildlife watching or a permitted trip on the water? The circular route between Boek and Schwarzenhof, the forest nature trail near Serrahn and the two observation towers each offer a different experience. Compare them according to the kind of experience you are looking for, rather than treating them as interchangeable activities. Decide which destinations matter most for your holiday, then choose your accommodation based on where you would like to spend your time. This keeps your search for a holiday apartment focused on specific plans for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rostock, Mecklenburg Lake District, Northwest Mecklenburg, Vorpommern-Greifswald, Vorpommern-Rügen, Ludwigslust-Parchim, North Vorpommern.

See the main travel overview: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.