You can discover Potsdam and its natural beauty in a variety of ways: by bycicle, from the water or on foot. In Potsdam you can find numerous possibilities for hiking.
The Europe Trails E10 Baltic Sea – Mediterranean Sea and E11 Netherlands – Masuria intersect in Potsdam. The wayside cross is located in a small green area at the foot of the hill Brauhausberg.
The 66-Lake-Bike-Trail, which invites you to discover the waterfronts of Berlin and its surroundings, runs alongside the Havel in Potsdam.
Relive Fontane’s description of the Potsdam area (The Fontane Trail), including Uetz, Marquardt, Kartzow, Bornstedt and Nedlitz.
Within Potsdam’s city limits you can find a marked system of local footpaths, which offer interesting possibilities for outings through Potsdam’s cultural landscape in an area of more than 100 km².
The Berlin Wall Trail was erected from 2002 to 2006. The Senate Department of Urban Development of the State of Berlin coordinated this project. At a length of about 160 km² the Berlin Wall Trail follows the route of the former GDR border installations to West Berlin. In particular in the state capital Potsdam area, interesting historical portions alternate with appealing landscaped routes.
Here you can find the German Hiking Association with member clubs, hiking tips, school hiking programs, and much more.
Hiking Trails in Brandenburg and Berlin
There are many hiking trails in Brandenburg and Berlin. For example, hiking trails in Potsdam lead
- from Potsdam to Nikolassee (part of the European Long-Distance Hiking Trail E11)
- from Potsdam to Werder (part of the European Long-Distance Hiking Trail E10)
- from Marquardt to Priort
- from Potsdam to Marquardt (1st stage of the 66 Lakes Trail)
- from Potsdam to Wannsee
Forest Areas
Katharinenholz is a small forest area and is therefore more suitable for walks than for extensive hikes. However, around the natural monument "Düstere Teiche," you can discover a variety of forest types, alder swamps, willow thickets, and more. The game-rich Ravensberge area is equipped with an extensive network of trails and is the region’s most popular cross-country skiing area during snowy winters. Trails around the moorlands and hilly areas are particularly popular. The Wildpark offers beautiful paths and tree-lined avenues in the forest, along with a historic star-shaped trail system and the Wildmeisterei (gamekeeper's lodge).
Protected Areas
About half of Potsdam’s urban area is under nature or landscape protection. This is intended to preserve the ecological balance and ensure the survival of animals and plants. At the same time, it provides the basis for nature-based recreation. Most of the protected areas are freely accessible.
Parks in Potsdam
In addition to large historical parks, Potsdam features many green oases, such as Freundschaftsinsel (Friendship Island), Neuer Lustgarten (New Pleasure Garden), or Volkspark in Bornstedter Feld.
