What could be better than spending the coming warm days by the water? Luckily, you don’t have to travel far from Berlin to do so. Just about 25 minutes from the city center, you can swim in clear waters —but a little further on, it becomes even more idyllic. FromBrandenburg’s deepest lake, whose bottom liesbelow sea level, to crystal-clear waters amidst rolling hills —the possibilities are virtually endless. Today, however, we’d like to introduce you to a very special spot near Berlin: Lake Gorin is a small, tranquil natural lake north of the city that impresses above all with its extraordinary shape. While many lakes in the region appear elongated or irregular, Lake Gorin appears as a closed, almost perfectly circular shape.
Lake Gorin is located on the Barnim Plateau and belongs to the district of Schönwalde. Surrounded by dense pine forests and tranquil nature , the landscape has a typical Brandenburg feel —though it’s significantly more low-key than larger lakes like Lake Werbellin. It’s precisely this unpretentiousness that makes it so charming: the lake is close by, uncomplicated, and pleasantly local.
With an area of about 21 to 24 hectares and a length of around 600 meters, Lake Gorin is one of the smaller bodies of water in the region. Its maximum depth is only two to three meters, making it comparatively shallow . There are no surface tributaries; the water is fed exclusively by groundwater and perched water. Consequently, the lake is dependent on the groundwater level—in dry years, the water level can drop noticeably.
Nestled in the forest, Lake Gorin gives the feeling of a natural retreat. Pine trees, reeds, and minimal development characterize the landscape, lending it a calm, relaxed atmosphere. The water is mostly clean, though it occasionally appears slightly murky due to its shallow depth. Overall, Lake Gorin is more reminiscent of a classic forest swimming lake than a crystal-clear postcard destination.
Most of Brandenburg’s lakes were formed during the Ice Age as so-called trough lakes—elongated and narrow. Lake Gorin, on the other hand, is one of the smaller, rounder bodies of water and thus immediately stands out visually.
There are several access points to the water around the lake: from a larger sunbathing lawn with a beach area to smaller, secluded swimming spots in the woods. There are also some nude bathing areas . Due to its relatively shallow depth , Lake Gorin is particularly suitable for relaxed swimming, but less so for longer swims. This makes it perfect for quiet summer days—and less so for athletic activities.
