Mecklenburgischer Seen Cycle Route

The Mecklenburg Lakes Circuit weaves through one of Germany's most expansive water landscapes, connecting glittering lakes, fragrant pine forests, and medieval towns across two pristine nature parks. Starting and finishing in Crivitz, this circular route takes cyclists on a rewarding journey through the Sternberg Lake District Nature Park and Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heath Nature Park, where over ninety lakes sparkle beneath the Mecklenburg sky. Along the way, Slavic history comes alive at ancient temple sites, Cistercian monasteries offer peaceful rest stops, and countless secluded bays invite refreshing swims on warm summer days.

The route showcases the gentle, undulating terrain that characterizes this glacially sculpted region. Deciduous forests reach down to lakeshores, meadows bloom with wildflowers, and the narrow streets of towns like Sternberg transport visitors back to the Middle Ages. Whether you seek cultural treasures, wildlife encounters, or simply the tranquillity of cycling through unspoiled nature, this circuit delivers an authentic Mecklenburg experience.

Essential Route Information

• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate, suitable for recreational cyclists and families
• Elevation profile: Predominantly flat with gentle rolling hills typical of the Mecklenburg lake district
• Surface types: Mostly well-maintained cycling paths with a mix of asphalt and forest trails
• Route type: Circular route through nature parks with dedicated cycling paths and quiet rural roads
• Recommended direction: Either direction works well; counterclockwise allows a grand finale through the Sternberg Lake District
• Recommended bike: Touring or trekking bike; e-bikes are excellent for covering longer daily stages comfortably

Route Marking and Navigation

The circuit follows established regional cycling routes through the Sternberg Lake District Nature Park and Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heath Nature Park. Signposting is generally reliable throughout the route, with the nature parks maintaining good waymarking standards. The Visitor Information Centre in Warin serves as an ideal starting point to gather maps and information about the route, including details on the landscape's formation and unique flora and fauna. Tourist information offices in Sternberg and Krakow am See can also provide local cycling maps and arrange bicycle hire if needed.

Best Direction and Season

This circular route can be enjoyed in either direction, though cycling counterclockwise allows you to save the scenic Sternberg Lake District for the final stages. The predominantly flat terrain and abundance of bathing spots make this route particularly rewarding during the warmer months when you can combine cycling with swimming.

• Late spring (May to June): Ideal conditions with blooming meadows, comfortable temperatures, and longer daylight hours
• Summer (July to August): Perfect for swimming enthusiasts, though popular bathing spots may be busier
• Early autumn (September): Pleasant cycling weather with stunning autumn colours beginning to appear in the forests

Main Stages and Highlights

The circuit naturally divides into four stages, each offering distinct landscapes and attractions as you journey through the heart of the Mecklenburg lake district.

Stage 1: Crivitz to Neukloster via Lake Schwerin
The journey begins in Crivitz, and within just a few kilometres, Lake Pinnow appears, followed by the expansive waters of Lake Schwerin. Wonderful deciduous forests line the shores, and secluded bays offer early opportunities for a refreshing dip. The bird paradise at Döpe on the lake's northern tip rewards patient observers with excellent birdwatching. The path continues to Dorf Mecklenburg, named after the former Slavic Michelenburg that gave the entire region its name, before reaching Neukloster with its historic monastery on the lake.

Stage 2: Through the Sternberg Lake District Nature Park
The Sternberg Lake District Nature Park encompasses approximately ninety larger and smaller lakes along with two meandering rivers. A highlight of this stage is the breakthrough valley of the Warnow near Groß Görnow, where the river has carved a dramatic path through the landscape. The ancient Slavic temple village of Groß Raden stands as one of Germany's greatest archaeological treasures, offering a fascinating journey back a thousand years. The route then winds through the fragrant pine forests of the Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heath Nature Park to Dobbertin Monastery and its picturesque lake.

Stage 3: Krakow am See and Nature Reserves
Continuing through the nature park, cyclists reach the climatic health resort of Krakow am See and circle the lake of the same name. The Nebeldurchbruchstal nature reserve extends to Seerahn, where the Nebel river flows into Krakow Lake. This river boasts the most fish and cleanest flowing water in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The Krakower Obersee nature reserve, with its eight islands, shallow bays, and deep lake areas, provides vital habitat and breeding grounds for numerous bird species, including white-tailed eagles.

Stage 4: Return via Sternberg and Kaarz
The final stage offers excellent opportunities for swimming enthusiasts, as one lake after another beckons with refreshing waters. Behind wooded hills, the magnificent town church of Sternberg comes into view, its impressive size a testament to when Mecklenburg Prince Heinrich II made this his main residence in the 14th century. The narrow streets of the small town retain a distinctly medieval atmosphere. The last kilometres lead through woods and meadows, passing the picturesque Kaarz Castle, which sits enthroned amid a beautiful landscape park featuring ancient oaks and exotic sequoia trees.

Key Attractions Along the Route

The circuit connects an impressive array of historical, natural, and cultural highlights that reveal the rich heritage of Mecklenburg.

• Groß Raden Archaeological Open-Air Museum: A reconstructed Slavic settlement from the 9th and 10th centuries on a peninsula in Lake Groß Raden, featuring faithful replicas of dwellings, craft workshops, and a temple. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities including pottery, spinning, weaving, and traditional baking.
• Sonnenkamp Monastery (Neukloster): Founded in 1219, the preserved monastery church contains some of the oldest stained glass windows in northern Germany, dating to around 1250. The brick Gothic stepped gable of the provost's building and the 15th-century bell tower are architectural highlights.
• Dobbertin Monastery: One of northern Germany's most beautiful surviving monasteries, founded by Benedictine monks in 1220. The abbey stands on a spit of land in Lake Dobbertin and features the only church with two towers in Mecklenburg. The monastery park contains 450-year-old oak trees.
• Sternberg Town Church (St. Mary and St. Nicholas): An unusually large town church built after a fire in 1309, when Prince Heinrich II made Sternberg his main residence. The three-aisled hall church features 14th-century paintings discovered during restoration.
• Kaarz Castle: A classicist gem surrounded by a seven-hectare listed landscape park featuring 500-year-old oaks, sequoias, and cypresses. Now a charming castle hotel with a café serving apple pie made from the estate's own orchard.
• Dorf Mecklenburg: The village that gave Mecklenburg its name, site of the former Slavic Michelenburg. The County Agricultural Museum here documents the rural development of West Mecklenburg.

• Warnow Breakthrough Valley: A dramatic landscape where the Warnow river has carved a bed up to 30 metres deep, creating almost low-mountain character with steep banks. Home to beavers and kingfishers.
• Krakower Obersee Nature Reserve: Eight islands, shallow bays, and deep lake areas providing habitat for numerous bird species including breeding pairs of rare waterfowl.
• Bird Paradise Döpe: Excellent birdwatching location at the northern tip of Lake Schwerin.
• The Nebel River: The river with the most fish and cleanest flowing water in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a sign of exceptional water quality.

• Historic Bathing Establishment Krakow am See: One of 13 inland lake bathing establishments in Germany, flying the Blue Flag for excellent environmental management and water quality since 1998. Features diving towers, water slides, and volleyball courts.
• Neuklostersee Bathing Area: Large sunbathing lawn, playground, kiosk, and boat rental on the charming lake at Neukloster.
• Numerous natural bathing spots: The route passes lakes including Klein Pritzer See, Sternberger See, and Luckower See, all offering excellent swimming opportunities.

Culinary Highlights

The route passes through authentic Mecklenburg countryside where regional food traditions remain strong. Local specialties reflect the landscape of lakes, forests, and farmland.

• Freshly caught fish from the numerous lakes, particularly at lakeside restaurants in Krakow am See and around Lake Dobbertin
• Regional dishes featuring locally raised beef and game from the surrounding forests
• The famous Kaarz apple pie at Kaarz Castle café, made with fruit from the estate's historic orchard
• Monastery products including oils, mustards, and vinegars from Rühn Monastery
• Organic produce from local farms, with farm shops like the SaBö-Hof offering homemade cakes and asparagus meals
• Homemade cakes and coffee at the Dobbertin Monastery café, run as a social enterprise with views over Lake Dobbertin

Accommodation Options

The route offers diverse lodging choices, from simple campsites directly on lakeshores to atmospheric castle hotels. The small towns along the circuit have adapted well to cycling tourism, with many establishments catering specifically to touring cyclists.

• Castle and manor house hotels: Kaarz Castle offers elegant rooms in a historic setting with castle park; Hasenwinkel Castle provides atmospheric accommodation in the Sternberg Lake District
• Cyclist-friendly hotels: Small hotels in Krakow am See and surrounding villages welcome cyclists, some offering Eastern European cuisine and secure bicycle storage
• Campsites: The 4-star campsite at Krakow Lake offers direct lake access and excellent facilities; Goldberg campsite provides lakeside camping with bathing area
• Farm stays and guesthouses: Rural accommodations in manor houses like Zietlitz, Gremmelin Estate, and various country lodges throughout the nature parks
• Holiday apartments: Available in most towns along the route, many with lake views

Access and Transportation

Getting There

The starting point of Crivitz has a railway station, making it accessible by train from Schwerin and other regional centres. Dorf Mecklenburg also has rail connections, offering flexibility for starting the circuit. From Hamburg or Berlin, regional trains connect to Schwerin, from where local services reach Crivitz. The state capital Schwerin, with its magnificent palace and old town, makes an excellent base for preparing your tour before setting off.

Getting Back

As a circular route, you return to your starting point in Crivitz, where you can connect to regional rail services. The circuit's design means no complicated return logistics are required. If you need to cut the tour short, rail connections are available at Crivitz and Dorf Mecklenburg. Bus services supplement the rail network in smaller towns like Sternberg and Krakow am See.

Practical Considerations

The route presents few significant challenges for reasonably fit cyclists. The terrain is predominantly flat to gently undulating, typical of the Mecklenburg glacial landscape. Forest sections may include some unpaved paths, so while road bikes can manage much of the route, touring or trekking bikes provide more comfort and versatility.

• Tourist information offices in Sternberg and Krakow am See can arrange bicycle hire
• The Visitor Information Centre of Sternberger Seenland Nature Park in Warin provides maps and route information
• Shops and services are available in the larger towns; plan provisions when cycling through more remote nature park sections
• E-bike charging may be available at some accommodations; confirm in advance if required
• Swimming gear is essential in summer; the route passes so many inviting lakes that you will want to stop frequently

Final Tips

This circuit rewards cyclists who take their time. With so many lakes beckoning for a swim, archaeological treasures to explore, and monastery cafés inviting a peaceful break, the four-stage structure works well as a leisurely four-day tour. However, fitter cyclists could complete the route in three days, while families with children might prefer spreading it over five or six days to fully enjoy the bathing opportunities and child-friendly attractions like the Groß Raden open-air museum with its hands-on medieval crafts.

The route connects beautifully with other cycling options in the region. The Warnowtal Circular Route follows the river from Rostock through the breakthrough valley near Groß Raden, while the Residence Cities Circuit takes in the baroque splendour of Ludwigslust and Schwerin's fairy-tale palace. For those seeking an even longer adventure, the Mecklenburg Lakes Cycle Route stretches from Lüneburg to the Baltic island of Usedom, passing through this same magical landscape of a thousand lakes.