In the mood for some nature? Berlin has more than enough to offer in the spring , but sometimes you just need to get out. Fortunately, the surrounding Brandenburg countryside offers everything from waterfalls and lakes to vast hiking areas. You’ll also find a nature reserve like this in the Biesenthal Basin. Located north of Berlin, it captivates visitors with its unspoiled, almost Nordic-like nature.
Hiking like in Scandinavia
Geologically, the Biesenthal Basin is a vast depression formed by meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age, about 15,000 years ago . Today, the area is a nature reserve and is characterized by the constant change in landscape features. You hike through deep, mystical alder swamp forests, cross marshy bogs on wooden walkways, and suddenly find yourself in open pine forests on sandy hills.
The area is crisscrossed by numerous small streams—such as the Hellmühler Fließ. The water is so clear in places that even the rare brown trout and the kingfisher are native to some areas. From around 1830 until shortly before World War II, the lowland bogs here were even used for peat extraction.
A paradise for endangered species
Today, the Biesenthal Basin is perfect for hiking. A 12-kilometer circular hiking trail starting and ending in Biesenthal takes you through the nature reserve. Especially now in spring, there’s a good chance you’ll be accompanied by cranes along the way .
In fact, the Biesenthal Basin is a paradise for various animals. With a little luck, you might even spot endangered species, including otters, beavers, black woodpeckers, and kingfishers. You can find more information on the NABU website.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, this is the place for you: Unlike the crowded lakes in the immediate vicinity of Berlin, the Biesenthal Basin offers a sense of vastness and solitude that is sometimes more reminiscent of Scandinavian national parks.
