Explore One of Berlin’s Cleanest Lakes

As temperatures slowly climb, the summer hunt begins for the perfect lake in Berlin. The city itself and surrounding state of Brandenburg are full of beautiful waters, but not all lakes (or see in German) are created equal. Therefore, finding a pristine spot is essential for a memorable summer outing.

I had heard rumors of a large lake up north that might fit the ideal criteria. With visibility up to 3 meters and an island (Großer Werder) reachable by ferry or by a strong swim, the surroundings of idyllic German forest and charming country mansions made this lake sound mythical. Consequently, I felt the need to check out these claims for myself and decided it was time to plot a trip up to Liepnitzsee.

A holiday Monday (Pfingsten or Pentecost) proved the perfect opportunity. I mapped my route, grabbed a beach towel, and headed out to the water with friends. My little party arrived at the sleepy country train station of Wandlitz and followed the steady stream of visitors and signs toward the lake.

Visiting Liepnitzsee from Berlin

We weren’t alone in our quest. There was a buzz of visitors to and from the lake, with crowds joining us as early as Karow train station. We saw several bicyclists struggle to find a space for their bike aboard the packed cars. However, we chugged along toward our day trip getaway.

The holiday crowd included a mix of teenagers equipped with beers, families on a sunny outing, and even middle-aged FKK bathers. Interestingly, this area was once a summer escape for prominent East German VIPs, boasting an exclusive waldsiedlung (summer house colony). There are still fine estates lining the way to the park, providing ample fodder to imagine life as a moneyed country-dweller just a short ride from the capital.

Although there are a few shops around the train station, it’s advisable to load up on supplies before heading to the lake for better options. The warm June air noticeably cooled off beneath the leafy canopy, and a 15-minute trek brought us to our first glimpse of the emerald green waters meeting the lush forest.

However, any hope of privacy was quickly dashed upon encountering towel after towel of sunbathers. Therefore, we trudged on for another 20 minutes in search of our ideal spot along the invitingly clear water and gently sloping beaches. We passed the area for boat rentals, the paid beach (3 euros), and finally found a perfect place to lay our towels and rest our weary sandal-clad feet. Shady trees loomed overhead along the shoreline, offering much-needed sun protection.

We could wait no longer and hurried into the tranquil waters. We watched our feet slowly shuffle off the sandy shelf and propelled us toward the island. Almost chilly beneath the trees, swimming out past the shadows had us once again feeling the sun’s warmth. Paddle boats and rafts serenely floated by, and the sunny beach area across the lake was a glimmering mass of humanity as we swam until the air turned cool enough to return to land. While I don’t know if it was perfect, I was happy to end our search for that day.

How to Get to Liepnitzsee

By Berlin Public Transport: Take the S2 to Bernau or a regional train to Wandlitz (not Wandlitz See which is one stop further from Berlin). Plan your trip with the BVG journey planner.

By Car: Drive the A11 until taking the Lanke exit in the direction of Ützdorf.

Path to the Lake: Bike or walk toward Liepnitzsee (maps are posted) through the forest. The path is marked with a red circle surrounded by a white rectangle sprayed on the trees. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the lakefront when walking. If you are feeling adventurous, this is a popular biking destination.

Staying at Liepnitzsee

If you really want to avoid the crowds, there are a few hotels scattered around the area, as well as a campground that lets you immerse yourself deeper into nature.

However, one of the appealing aspects of this lake is its easy accessibility from the city via public transport, taking roughly an hour to reach.