Mecklenburg lakes: laid back tour

In Waren, idyllically situated on the Müritz, many beautiful cafés, restaurants and stores vie for the favor of guests between the harbor and the old town. How nice to arrive early! Overnight stay in Waren or Klink.

Your very first stage will take you to the Müritz National Park. 107 lakes belong to the national park, which was founded in 1990. With 322 km² it is the largest land national park in Germany. Numerous plants and animals have their habitat here. On the eastern shore of the Müritz you cycle idyllically through this gem on the Müritz Radrundweg.
The national park is famous for its large and impressive birds. White-tailed eagles and ospreys breed here and the trumpeting of the cranes can be heard every year in spring and autumn. But there are also beavers, otters and iridescent kingfishers to marvel at.
You will spend the night in the small village of Boek (only possible in cat. B), the gateway to the Müritz National Park.

Today you will cycle on beautiful paths through extensive forests, swamps and meadows to Neustrelitz. Look forward to this particularly charming landscape with hundreds of lakes and moors, which was formed by the last ice age. Again and again you will cross the still small Havel River, which meanders through this lake landscape. In the afternoon, explore Neustrelitz, a town that was once even the residence town of the dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Stroll through the palace garden, which is well worth seeing. It was designed as a baroque garden in 1731/ 32 and was then redesigned and expanded again and again over the years. However, its basic features are still preserved today. Visit the neo-Gothic castle church and marvel at the graceful west towers of the old brick building.

Before you set off again, you should take some time to visit the town of Neustrelitz once again from above. Climb the tower of the town church, the most important landmark of Neustrelitz. From the 52-meter-high observation deck, you can enjoy an impressive view of the market square, which was laid out in 1733 and features an eight-pointed street star. With these beautiful impressions in your luggage, you will cycle along many small lakes to the water town of Fürstenberg/Havel, which lies picturesquely on three islands between Röblinsee, Baalensee and Schwedtsee. Take a leisurely break in the medieval town center before cycling on to the area of the Müritz-Havel waterway south of Wesenberg. Observe the lively and colorful hustle and bustle of boating here ubiquitously. Houseboats, sailboats, canoes, sport boats, paddlers ... all have to pass the many small locks again and again. You will not be bored today.

Again you cycle on winding paths through an enchanting forest and lake landscape. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the many recreational captains at the locks and take a short break at the Fleether Mühle. There is always something going on in the spacious beer garden with boat dock. The Fleether Mühle is an interesting meeting point for water sports enthusiasts, cyclists, nature lovers and people looking for recreation. First mentioned in 1270, the mill once comprised a flour mill, a sawmill, a blacksmith's shop and a yard with a stable and a large barn. Today, only the huge old water wheels can be admired in the beer garden. Look forward to the town of Mirow in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District. Take a walk to the historical treasures of the town. Visit the romantic castle island with the baroque castle and the historic gatehouse (1588). Don't be fooled by the simple building, because the castle has a precious interior. The banquet hall presents itself with lush stucco decoration, many walls are made of colored marble or covered with silk wallpaper. End the day with a walk through the dreamy castle park.

Today you cycle on beautiful cycle paths first to the small Müritz near Rechlin. On your way there, you will discover prehistoric testimonies such as mounds and barrows. Afterwards, the cycling stage leads you idyllically along the Müritz to Röbel at the southern end of the Müritz.

Look forward to this old craftsman and agrarian town, which is now a small colorful harbor town. Even from a distance you will see the two imposing early Gothic church towers that greet you in all directions. The tranquil ring alleys with their many colorful half-timbered houses may also give you a pleasant feeling of security. Visit the restored windmill, which is enthroned in the middle of the city on the castle hill. Take a leisurely stroll through the medieval town center and along the pretty waterfront promenade with all its inviting restaurants and cafes. The busy landing stages of the passenger ships as well as the reed-covered boathouses give Röbel a very individual maritime flair.

On the "Mecklenburg Lakes Cycle Path" you cycle through fields and meadows to Lake Plau. You will pass the small village church of Minzow, a historic church building from 1862, as well as the listed village church of Fincken. Be sure to take a break at the bear forest at the southern tip of Lake Plauer See. Since 2006, many bears from poor animal husbandry have found a new home here. During a hike on the more than 700 m long visitor path through the mixed forest you can observe bears. Exciting exhibition stations tell about the life of these wild animals. About 16 bears currently live in the 16-hectare outdoor enclosure. Afterwards, your destination for the day is the small climatic health resort of Plau with its picturesque old town. From the lighthouse you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view from the 8m high observation deck. Stroll through the small town of Plau after your overview. Discover the renaissance town hall from 1888 as well as the art treasures of the St.Marien town church. And: be inspired by the old Plau lift bridge, which is one of the most popular photo motifs of the town.

Along the fishing harbor you cycle on the Plauer See cycle circuit to the northern tip of the lake. Many inviting bathing spots lie on your way and entice you to take a plunge into the cool water. Now the village of Alt Schwerin is quickly reached. Here, in 1963, an agricultural history museum worth seeing was established after several buildings in the village were unused. The museum commemorates the history of Mecklenburg's estates and agriculture from 1848 onward, with an extensive collection of technical and everyday objects on display. Today's Freichlichtmuseum Agroneum offers constantly changing special exhibitions. You wander through the museum and at the same time through the whole village. Discover the village church from the 13th century, the estate with manor house, the administrator's apartments, large granaries, stables and the home of a LPG member from the 1970s. After this journey through time, you will cycle along the edge of the Schwinzer Heide to the island town of Malchow. The picturesque old town center is idyllically situated on an island between Lake Malchow and Lake Fleesensee. In the afternoon, visit the pretty brick church, which also serves as the exhibition space of the Mecklenburg Organ Museum. Overnight stay only in cat. B possible.

Today you cycle through the wide open landscape south of the Upper Lakes back to the western shore of the Müritz. Enjoy the varied landscape of the vacation area "Land Fleesensee". Perhaps you will browse a little in the family-run farm store in Göhren-Lebbin to stock up for the last day of cycling or to buy some regional souvenirs.
But the closer you get to the Müritz and Waren, the more your anticipation grows for this lovely little town on Germany's largest inland lake. Stroll along the lakeside promenade, browse the old market stalls and enjoy the delicious regional specialties once again. Finally, a visit to the Müritzeum, a multimedia nature experience center, is worthwhile. Fascinating, entertaining, informative, simple and understandable, it presents the vacation region around the Müritz.

You will have spent a lot of time on this cycling tour and stroll around the Mecklenburg lakes. If you want to stay longer, which is definitely worth it, you are welcome to book additional nights.