Just under 40 kilometers south in Bestensee, you’ll discover a surreal natural highlight. The Pätzer gravel pit is a nature reserve spanning about 16 hectares, whose light-colored sand dunes are reminiscent of a dry steppe landscape.
All year round, this area is the perfect spot for anyone who loves to hike, unwind, and experience unspoiled nature off the beaten path. If you’re looking to escape not from but to the capital, then be sure to check this place out!
The Pätzer Gravel Pit: A Hike Through the “Markish Desert Sand”
Nature has now impressively reclaimed the former quarry site. As you walk along the narrow trails at the edge of the gravel pit, you’ll look down upon a fascinating, almost otherworldly landscape. (You can find more otherworldly views in Berlin here!)
In the middle of the otherwise typical pine forest, a hilly sandy area opens up. Hardy pioneer plants grow here , and rare animal species such as sand lizards have found a safe haven.
Large parts of the area are protected nature reserves. So don’t go scrambling recklessly through the dunes—instead, enjoy the spectacular panorama from the official trails above the slopes. A picnic with a view of this mini-desert is definitely worth it!
The perfect combination with the lake
Your detour to the gravel pit can be perfectly combined with a long circular hike around the directly adjacent Pätzer Hintersee. The idyllic lakeside trail leads you through dense wet meadows, past deep marshlands, and rustic black alders. If you want to gain a few more meters in elevation, scramble up the 77-meter-high “Kahlkopf.”
Here’s how to reach your destination completely relaxed
By car, take the A13 to the Bestensee exit and park in Pätz near Friedensstraße. By public transit, take the regional train to the Bestensee station and start your hike from there.
📍 Pätzer Gravel Pit
📆 As long as you like
⏳ About 3 hours
💵 Free
ℹ️ Here’s a great hiking route
