The Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park in northern Brandenburg is the land of forests and crystal-clear lakes with many special features. On about a quarter of the natural park area there are still the large beech forests typical for this climate zone, populated by such remarkable inhabitants as the goldeneye and many hammering woodpeckers. The name for the nature park, but also for Theodor Fontane's famous novel, comes from Northern Germany's most important clear water lake, the Great Stechlin Lake, which covers an area of 425 hectares and has a depth of up to 69 metres. The nature park also boasts numerous intact moors, the Rheinsberger Rhin as a near-natural watercourse and the Upper Havel as a waterway.
In the nature park there are many excellent fishing and swimming opportunities, at Stechlinsee wheelchair users will even find a barrier-free bathing area. The best places for paddling are the Havel and Rhin waters, which are also home to otters and beavers. The osprey can be found in the nature park in high breeding density, also the white-tailed eagle can be observed. Rheinsberg, with its castle and parks, is a well-known excursion destination and one of Brandenburg's cultural centres. A visit to the NaturParkHaus Stechlin in Menz with an exhibition that inspires adults and children is particularly recommendable. Several interesting nature trails start here, including the "From Moor to Moor" tour through the fascinating moor landscape around Lake Roofensee, which is also a popular bathing lake.
Four towns in the nature park area have historic town centres worth seeing: the princely town of Rheinsberg, the bishopric town of Wittstock/Dosse, the Queen Luise town of Gransee and the Fontane town of Neuruppin.
The water city Fürstenberg/Havel has a new nature conservation facility from which particularly migratory fish species, canoe tourists and the city itself benefit: the approximately 50 metre long fish canoe pass, the largest such facility in Brandenburg. The Fisch-Kanu-Pass leads the boats directly through the town centre to the water hiking rest area. Instead of wasting your time waiting at the lock, you can now take a stroll through the city. To go by boat directly to the city center, up to 100 meters to the market place, that is not often in Brandenburg.
Regardless of whether visitors bring an hour or a whole day's holiday with them, the cultural and landscape guides show and tell something special about the unique natural and cultural landscape in the nature park at any time of the year. They also have some insider tips: about delicious regional cuisine, about cultural highlights and about the people in the nature park, who present themselves here with down-to-earth handicrafts or regional products.
In the nature park there are many excellent fishing and swimming opportunities, at Stechlinsee wheelchair users will even find a barrier-free bathing area. The best places for paddling are the Havel and Rhin waters, which are also home to otters and beavers. The osprey can be found in the nature park in high breeding density, also the white-tailed eagle can be observed. Rheinsberg, with its castle and parks, is a well-known excursion destination and one of Brandenburg's cultural centres. A visit to the NaturParkHaus Stechlin in Menz with an exhibition that inspires adults and children is particularly recommendable. Several interesting nature trails start here, including the "From Moor to Moor" tour through the fascinating moor landscape around Lake Roofensee, which is also a popular bathing lake.
Four towns in the nature park area have historic town centres worth seeing: the princely town of Rheinsberg, the bishopric town of Wittstock/Dosse, the Queen Luise town of Gransee and the Fontane town of Neuruppin.
The water city Fürstenberg/Havel has a new nature conservation facility from which particularly migratory fish species, canoe tourists and the city itself benefit: the approximately 50 metre long fish canoe pass, the largest such facility in Brandenburg. The Fisch-Kanu-Pass leads the boats directly through the town centre to the water hiking rest area. Instead of wasting your time waiting at the lock, you can now take a stroll through the city. To go by boat directly to the city center, up to 100 meters to the market place, that is not often in Brandenburg.
Regardless of whether visitors bring an hour or a whole day's holiday with them, the cultural and landscape guides show and tell something special about the unique natural and cultural landscape in the nature park at any time of the year. They also have some insider tips: about delicious regional cuisine, about cultural highlights and about the people in the nature park, who present themselves here with down-to-earth handicrafts or regional products.