Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes the time for new seasonal recreational activities. In addition to pumpkin displays, this naturally includes long hikes through the autumnal countryside. And Berliners are lucky once again, because there are plenty of places around the capital that offer perfect trails for hiking enthusiasts . One of these is the loop hike near Groß Köris. It winds right through the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park and, over a relatively short distance, takes in an astonishingly varied landscape.
Along the way, you’ll not only pass several lakes, but also walk through pine forests, past small dunes and rare sandy dry grasslands, all the way to a historic drawbridge. The nature park itself lists the loop hike as eight kilometers. If you start and end right at the Groß Köris train station, the hike is about nine kilometers and takes roughly 2.5 hours to complete. The starting point of the hike is Groß Köris in the Dahme-Spreewald district, southeast of Berlin. Despite its idyllic surroundings, Groß Köris is surprisingly easy to reach from Berlin. The trip by regional train from Berlin-Ostkreuz takes about 35 minutes, so you don’t even need a car for this excursion.
If you’re traveling by car, you can reach Groß Köris via the A13 toward Dresden and take the appropriate exit for Groß Köris. Parking is available near the train station, among other places. From the historic town center of Groß Köris, the loop hike leads through the Heideseen landscape north of the town. Depending on which starting point and route you choose, the trail is about eight to nine kilometers long.
The route follows a mix of paved paths, small roads, and forest trails and has virtually no significant inclines . A shorter variant, just under seven kilometers long, for example, has an elevation gain of only about ten meters. This makes the tour ideal for anyone looking for a relaxed hike without major climbs.
The hike centers on the Groß Roßkardtsee and the Güldensee. The Güldensee, which covers about 24 hectares, runs right alongside the trail for long stretches. Time and again, views of the water open up between the trees, while seating areas along the way offer opportunities for short breaks.
The Groß Roßkardtsee is also idyllically nestled in the forest landscape. There’s even a spot to swim at the lake, so on warmer days, the hike can be combined with a refreshing dip. In addition, the route passes by the Kleiner Roßkardtsee. This means hikers will encounter even more lakes on the tour than the name of the loop hike might initially suggest. The heath lakes near Groß Köris are part of Europe’s natural heritage and form a specially protected habitat. The area covers an expanse roughly equivalent to 200 soccer fields and is home to numerous animal and plant species, some of which are rare. Among others, rare dragonfly species and even otters live here.
The diversity of the landscape within such a small area is particularly remarkable. During the hike, clear-water lakes and bog lakes alternate with lichen-covered pine forests, small dunes, and rare sandy dry grasslands. As a result, the landscape changes constantly, even though the entire loop is only a few kilometers long.
