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Those seeking some peace from everyday life north of Berlin and who enjoy being in nature will really like Hellsee. The hiking path around the lake is generally not heavily frequented, although you will meet other hikers from time to time.
At the start of the route along the northern shore, there are several small access points to the water, which can be great for swimming in summer - at least if the bathing spot isn't occupied by an angler trying their luck.
The path leads through a magnificent beech forest always directly along the water. Children can have fun in the thick forest leaf litter and on the fairly steep slopes or even try the beech nuts scattered around. Also interesting are the feeding marks of beavers on many trees.
If you glance by, you will notice a small island separated from the shore only by a narrow artificial canal. This island once held the tomb of the von Wülknitz family, who owned Lanke Castle in the 18th century.
At the western end of Hellsee, you reach the overgrown park area of Lanke Castle via boardwalks through a small swamp. The park was laid out in the 19th century according to plans by Peter Joseph Lenné. Remnants of it can still be discovered today.
On the southern side of the lake, the path rises significantly, providing a truly wonderful view over the lake from some height. Here you can see how Hellsee was formed by meltwater masses from the last ice age, which carved a deep trough where the lake now lies.
At the narrowest part of the lake, the path veers away from the water to avoid a swampy bird sanctuary. It then goes through forest and meadows back to the small settlement of Hellmühle.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The route does not require any specific safety precautions. The hike can be done in any weather and at any time of the year.Roadbook
From the starting point, head to the right counterclockwise around the lake. On the northern shore, the path always runs directly along the water. Occasionally, there are short parallel path sections that soon merge again. It is best to always choose the path closest to the lake here.
Shortly past the end of the lake, the path splits. Take the left fork here. Then it goes over a boardwalk or footbridges through a small swamp into the old Lenné park of Lanke Castle. The circular route around the lake is now also signposted here (marking: green circle).
The path curves left back towards Hellsee and also runs directly along the water on the southern shore. However, the officially marked circular route leaves the shore path shortly before it reaches the highest point of the southern shore and leads away from the lake over field paths. However, it is much more scenic to continue following the path by the lake, especially since the best views over the lake are still to come.
After reaching the narrowest part of the lake, several small, poorly visible paths turn right into the forest. These paths then merge shortly after to form a distinct path that you follow through the forest and along two fields. Soon after, the official circular route around Hellsee, coming from the right, merges back into this route. From here, you can follow this circular route (marked with a green circle) again and shortly afterward come to a large meadow. The closed barrier at the transition between forest and meadow can easily be circumvented. When stepping onto the meadow, you will see a massive oak tree to the left. It marks the further course of the path, which leads back into the forest there.
From then on, stay on the marked circular lake path until you reach the small village of Hellmühle after about 1.5 km. Through the settlement, you walk on the only street (Hellmühler Weg), which leads back to the starting point of the route after leaving the village.
Parkplatz am Hellsee
Public transport
From Bernau S-Bahn station, bus 890 runs to Lanke on weekdays. On weekends, bus 903 takes this route.
You can also simply start and finish the route around the Hellsee in Lanke.
Directions
Take exit 13 'Lanke' from the A11 motorway and then drive on the L31 towards Lanke. In Lanke, at the first major intersection, turn left towards Biesenthal onto the L29. After a tight left curve, there is a wide, gentle right curve, behind which the turning option to Hellsee (Hellmühler Weg) suddenly appears. This narrow road then leads directly to Hellsee and the parking options.Parking
Before reaching Hellmühle on the Hellmühler Weg, there is a small cluster of houses about 300 m before. Here, there is a small parking lot as well as some additional parking spaces directly on the street. If all these are already full, you can drive downhill towards the lake. There are also some parking options directly on the street there.Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Sturdy footwear is recommended. Those doing the route in summer can also pack their swimwear.
Bringing some provisions is not a bad idea, as there are no dining options directly on the route. In the village of Lanke, there is the Bellevue restaurant (Lanker Dorfstraße 17).
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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