Hikes in Blankensee

The Müritz National Park Trail leads through forests, moors, and lake landscapes. Peace, nature, and wide views make it one of the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Germany.

Experience on this varied route the development from a pine forest to a beech natural forest in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Serrahner Beech Forests.

The "Serrahner Buchenwälder" hike is a varied route through different forest areas suitable for families at any time of the year. Along the way, there are observation points at the moor boardwalk, a lookout tower, and lots of information.

​As the birds of the forest begin their concert, the delicate green of the sprouting leaves glows in the first light of day, and the sun slowly dispels the morning mist—it is then, early in the morning on a spring day, that we can experience the Serrahner beech forest most intensely. In summer, the ancient trees provide us with shade. Fall is a fascinating time, when the leaves of the giant trees turn golden yellow and mushrooms of every color spring up from the ground. In a few weeks, we’ll experience a different atmosphere: the brown beech leaves will drift silently to the ground, and nature will prepare for winter. And soon enough, it will all begin anew. In the Serrahn beech forest, the transient seems eternal. > We begin our hike with reverence at World Natural Heritage Pavilion 01. The parking lot is located a short distance off Federal Highway B189 near Zinow. At the pavilion, we keep to the left—that is, head east—and follow the “Brown Wild Boar” and “Green Beech Leaf” markers (the latter signifies the Serrahn Forest Adventure Trail). After a few meters, we cross the forest road; about 120 meters further on, we turn right. We hike gently uphill across a terminal moraine covered with younger mixed forest. There are a striking number of blueberries growing on the ground. Since we are still outside the core zone of the national park, snacking on these delicious and healthy berries is perfectly allowed. Blueberries are an indicator of soil acidity: where the plant thrives, the soil is acidic. Soon we’re walking through an impressive pine forest, where some trees are said to be over 200 years old. We follow the “Brown Wild Boar” and “Green Beech Leaf” trail markers and, about 2 km from the parking lot, arrive at a rest area with hammocks 02. As we sway in the hammocks, we gaze up at the treetops, then continue on the Forest Adventure Trail. We enter the core zone of the Müritz National Park—please observe the rules for access and conduct! Where the “Wild Boar Trail” branches off to the right, we follow the “Green Beech Leaf” to the left. After about 300 m, we reach an observation tower 03. From the top, we look out over the marshy surroundings of the Großer Serrahnsee. From the tower, we stroll southward and marvel at some large, old red beeches and the deadwood on the ground: This is what a near-natural forest looks like, one that is slowly reverting to a natural forest—without human intervention. Soon we arrive at the Saran village site 04: This is where the medieval village of Saran is said to have been located, a kind of pioneer settlement by the Slavs. This site was abandoned over 500 years ago. About 600 meters past the Saran village site, we use a boulder 05 as a landmark; the words “Return of the Peregrine Falcon” are carved into it. With a view of the Serrahn forest house and the silhouettes of native animals recreated as steel stencils, we can rest on the bench before continuing to the left. We cross the Serrahnbruch on a path and over a footbridge. All three species of sundew native to Germany are said to occur in this small bog: in addition to the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and the long-leaved sundew (Drosera anglica), there is also the intermediate sundew (Drosera intermedia). These carnivorous plants, commonly known as “meat-eating plants,” have adapted to the nutrient-poor environment by feeding on animal protein, mostly insects. After the Serrahnbruch, the Forest Adventure Trail meets a wide road and turns left. At this point, we leave the trail and turn right toward the Serrahn 06 forest lodge. From April through October, the exhibition “The Realm of the Beech Trees” is open (daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., free admission). In the summer, a garden café invites you to take a longer break. We continue along the wide forest road, which veers northwest a few meters past the forest lodge. We follow the “M” marker on the National Park Trail as we walk toward Zinow. About 900 m past the forest lodge, the “Braunes Wildschwein” trail joins from the right—we follow it and the “M” straight ahead. After another 800 m, we reach a prominent intersection ( 07). If we continue straight ahead on the forest trail—which is no longer marked—we can take a shortcut back to the starting point. Our “main trail,” however, turns left, following the “Brown Wild Boar” and “M” symbols. After about 600 m, we keep to the right and come to a clearing with a picnic table 08. There, the “M Trail” branches off from the “Brown Wild Boar” trail, which we follow northward to the World Natural Heritage Pavilion 01.

Short Entry Tour in the Hinterland of Röbel Although the Gliensee is not located in the Müritz National Park, the small round trip is still beautiful. The Rohrteich is spectacular in summer when half of the water surface is covered with blooming water lilies.

Hike in a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site

Teilgebiet Serrahn des Müritz-Nationalpark

Müritz Nationalpark: Dieser Rundwanderweg lädt zur Erkundung der vielfältigen Umgebung von Zinow ein. Ziel ist der Aussichtsturm am Großen Serrahnsee. Zurück geht es um den Dickeberg zum Parkplatz mit dem Welterbe-Pavillon. Der Weg ist gekennzeichnet mit dem Symbol ‘Schwarzes Wildschwein‘.

Promenade au Parc National de Müritz, secteur Serrahn