Living in Berlin, we’re all in need of some forest-bathing therapy. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favourite woodland walks in and around Berlin to help liven up your regular Spaziergang.
Kuhlake in Spandauer Forst
Want to get off the beaten trail? The entire Spandauer Forst is a protected nature reserve and bird sanctuary, so you’re sure to find some peace and quiet there. We recommend starting your walk off opposite the Diakonie Johannesstift on Schönwalder Allee. From there, you’ll walk along the Kuhlake, possibly spotting a deer, mouflon or wild boar in the thickets as you go.
- Starting point: Johannesstift, Spandau
- Duration: About 1 hour
Schmetterlingsplatz to Grunewaldturm
The 3,000-hectare Grunewald is dotted with lakes, so a walk through this forest is the perfect activity for a hot summer’s day. Starting at the charmingly-named Schmetterlingsplatz, not far from Grunewald S-Bahn station, you’ll amble past the Grunewald allotment garden colony before arriving at the massive sand pit at Jagen 86 Nature Reserve. Used for sand-mining between the 1960s and 1980s, the sandpit is now a protected area and home to hundreds of plant and small reptile species. The steep hill is great for year-round tobogganing, and down at the bottom of the pit, kids will happily play the day away in the sand.
Continue along through the dense forest towards Teufelsee. On warmer days, the lake is a favourite swimming spot (particularly among Berlin’s FKK community). The next leg of the journey takes you to Karlsberg. It’s the second-highest hill in Grunewald, so expect some great views once you reach the summit. Karlsberg is also home to your final destination – Grunewaldturm. Built in 1899, the observation tower provides incredible views of the forest and Havel River.
- Starting point: Schmetterlingsplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg-Wilmdersdorf
- Duration: About 1 hour
Ehrenpfortenberg
You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer to climb to the summit of the Ehrenpfortenberg. Starting from Hermsdorf S-Bahn station, you’ll make your way via Hermsdorfer Damm and Schulzendorfer Straße eventually arriving at Hermsdorf forest ranger station and Tegeler Forst Wildtier Freigehege (wild animal enclosure) – home to all kinds of red deer and wild boar. From there, it’s a steady 1.3km or so until you reach the Ehrenpfortenberg summit.
- Starting point: Hermsdorf S-Bahn station, Hermsdorf
- Duration: About 40 minutes
Naturpark Marienfelde
The expansive nature park Freizeitpark Marienfelde is home to many endangered animals including the moor frog and sand lizard, as well as rare bird species such as the red-backed shrike and skylark. Be sure to walk the 1.5km nature experience path to take in the park’s diversity.
- Starting point: Various
- Duration: About 45 minutes
Frohnau to Bergfeld
A scenic walk from one S-Bahn station to another, this route wins major points for convenience. Starting at Frohnau S-Bahn station, you’ll stroll past stately villas from Zeltinger Strasse to the Pilzteich (mushroom pond) and along the Berlin-Brandenburg state border until you reach the forest. Follow the cobbled paths of the charming Frohnau artists’ colony past the Hubertussee lake. The path will lead you through the idyllic village of Bergfelde to the S-Bahn station.
- Starting point: Frohnau S-Bahn station, Frohnau
- Duration: About one hour
Along the Panke to Buch
If you’re craving greenery but don’t feel like travelling far, the banks of the Panke canal are a great place to start. Starting your walk at the Wanderweg an der Panke (off Pasewalkerstrasse) you’ll soon feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Be sure to stop for a bonus stroll around the Karower Teiche nature reserve, which is en route, to watch birds and water buffalo. You’ll stroll along the canal for a good 8km before reaching the southern end of Bucher Forst. These acres of woodland are crisscrossed by trails, including a sculpture walk, meaning you can stroll for as long (or little), or just finish your walk with a picnic in the woods and hop onto the S-Bahn for an easy route back into the city.
- Starting point: Wanderweg an der Panke, Pankow
- Duration: About 1 hour and 45 minutes
Tegel Forest
The forest itself is a mix of ancient and young trees, and taking in the differences between the two is a good way to immerse yourself in ‘forest bathing’ (it’s a thing). We recommend starting your walk on the northern side of the woods at Tegeler Fließ, a small but picturesque stream where you’ll find water buffalo grazing. There’s a circular loop from here that takes you through the full Fließtal valley. Alternatively, head into the southern forest to completely surround yourself with trees.
Heckshorn to Pfaueninsel
Setting off from the Spieltplatz at Strasse zum Löwen 11, continue through the rather impressive villa-lined streets and before long, you find yourself in the dense Westlicher Düppeler forest. Head west, then follow the path through the woodland to the ferry that’ll transport you to car-free Pfaueninsel. It’s a really peaceful walk, the only thing that might disrupt the calm are the wild peacocks which roam free on the island – just don’t upset them!
- Starting point: Spielplatz, Str. zum Löwen 11, Wannsee
- Duration: About 45 minutes
Birkenwerder
Walk from S-Bahn Birkenwerder to Wensickendorf Bahnhof and you’ll encounter swampy lakes, green water lilies, sprawling meadows and centuries-old woodland. The ever-changing landscape feels almost primeval and it never feels like you’re taking the same walk. Take a picnic and get lost.
- Starting point: S-Bahn Birkenwerder
- Duration: Two and half hours
Sacrower See and Königswald
The sprawling Königswald is a protected nature reserve (the oldest in Potsdam), and the dense forest is the perfect place to wander aimlessly. South of the forest and Schloss Sacrow, you’ll find the Heilandskirche, an incredibly beautiful church that juts out into the water.
