An autumn walk is a real experience for the senses: the leaves rustle under your feet, the air is wonderfully fresh and the last rays of sunshine warm your face. Now is precisely the right time to wrap yourself up warm and go on an excursion. Experience pure nature in the city’s forests, discover the surrounding area of Berlin or stroll through the city centre. We have 11 excursion tips for lovely walks and hikes in Berlin and Brandenburg.
Tip 1: Enjoy variety on the Havelhöhenweg
The ten kilometre long Havelhöhenweg is particularly diverse and takes you past many beautiful places in the Grunewald forest. Especially in autumn, the air along the river is wonderfully clear and fresh. The best place to start your hike is in the north under the Stößensee bridge on the banks of the Havel. From there you continue to follow the water until you finally arrive at the Strandbad Wannsee lido. The Grunewald Tower is a particularly nice place to take a breather.
Start: Heerstraße/Stößenseebrücke. Charlottenburg / Zehlendorf
More information about lake Wannsee
Tip 2: Marvel at the glowing sea of leaves in Charlottenburg Palace Park
In the park next to the famous Charlottenburg Palace you can enjoy a great autumn afternoon and dive into the world of the Prussian nobility; your way through the baroque palace gardens does not only lead you over small, enchanted bridges over the water and past lots of old statues. As you stroll through the large, expansive park, you will also find a small garden palace, the Belvedere and the Mausoleum. Since there are so many trees here, the palace park turns into a brightly coloured sea of leaves from September to November.
Start: Charlottenburg Palace Gardens, Charlottenburg
More iformation about palace Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Stroll through Mitte
Not only in nature can you enjoy a wonderful walk, but also in the heart of the city. This route is just right for you if you want to stroll at leisure through the streets of Berlin. Start at Museum Island and stroll through the famous archways towards Hackesche Höfe. From there, continue along Auguststraße to Rosenthaler Platz.
Start: Museum Island, Mitte
If you're interested in contemporary art, you'll find numerous galleries around Auguststraße. For more exciting gallery districts, check out our overview of galleries and exhibition spaces in Berlin.
GALLERIES AND EXHIBITION SPACES
Tip 4: Experience harvest time in the Herzberge Landscape Park
The Herzberge Landscape Protection Area in Lichtenberg has a lot to offer: sheep pastures, orchards and biotopes. In autumn particularly, it is worth a visit because it is harvest time. In addition, the park is densely wooded and you can now collect beautiful colourful leaves and chestnuts. The best way to start your autumn hike from the stop is to head south. Here you will soon be greeted by the friendly black Pomeranian sheep that take over the work of the lawnmowers. The trails through the landscape park are varied and there is plenty to discover, including a cemetery, a disused marshalling yard, a museum and a children's playground.
Start: Evangelisches Krankenhaus Königin Elisabeth stop, Lichtenberg
More information about Landschaftspark Herzberge
Tip 5: Work out on the Wuhletalweg
If you want to undertake a more strenuous hike in Berlin, the Wuhletalweg is the place for you! The temperatures are at last cool enough to go on a longer tour through the north-east of Berlin. The 14-kilometre tour starts in Ahrensfelde and continues along the Wuhle to its mouth on the Spree. This route offers an abundance of nature and varied landscapes. A special highlight on the hike is the Kienberg hill, from whose viewing platform Wolkenhain you can enjoy the view over the autumn landscape.
Start: Wuhletal stop, Marzahn and Hellersdorf
More information about Wuhletalweg
Tip 6: Find peace and relaxation in the Schöneberger Südgelände nature park
Hardly any other park deserves the name "green oasis" as much as the Nature Park Schöneberger Südgelände. If you are looking for peace and quiet you should make sure to visit Schöneberg, because in the heart of the city you will experience a biotope with many rare animals and plants. In the landscape and nature reserve, which used to be a marshalling yard, there are circular trails along the former railway lines. Especially in autumn this is a real highlight: as the fog rises from the meadows at the beginning of the day, you can sit comfortably on one of the benches and unwind in the morning peace.
Start: S-Bahn station Priesterweg, Schöneberg
More information about Schöneberger Südgelände
Tipp 7: Discover the largest lake in Berlin
Müggelsee is the largest lake in Berlin. And there is a whole lot to experience on a long walk along the water. From the S-Bahn station you walk along the small, charming Bölschestraße shopping mile until you reach the boat jetties directly on the lake. The excursion steamboats sail here until late in the year. Make sure to pack a hat if you are planning a trip on the water, as it can get draughty on deck. From the jetty you can also reach the Spree tunnel, which takes you under the water to the other side of the shore without getting wet.
Start: S-Bahn station Friedrichshagen, Köpenick
More information about lake Müggelsee
Tip 8: Take a historical walk along the Wall Trail
If you are looking for a historical walk through Berlin, you should take a look at the Wall Trail. Believe it or not, this route is about 160 kilometres long and follows the course of the former GDR border installations. The route is broken down into 14 stages. A particularly varied seven-kilometre route leads from Nordbahnhof station to Potsdamer Platz. On your tour right through the heart of the city you will pass a number of sights, such as the Natural History Museum, the Reichstag and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
Start: S-Bahn station Nordbahnhof, Mitte
More information about the Wall trail
Tip 9: Walk along the Teltow Canal
This tour through the south of Berlin runs along the Teltow Canal to Steglitz. Start from Tempelhofer Hafen and continue walking along the banks of the Teltow Canal. The shore path is particularly beautiful during an Indian summer, when the leaves of the trees slowly change colour and the natural spectacle can be seen as a reflection on the water surface when the sun is shining. On the way to Steglitz you pass a number of bridges until you cross the canal at the Edenkobener Steg. From here it is only a few minutes to the beautiful Stadtpark Steglitz.
Start: Ullsteinstraße stop, Tempelhof
Tip 10: Discover history on the riverside path at Rummelsburg Bay
From the shore of Rummelsburger Bucht you have a great view of the lake of the same name. You can take a very relaxing walk around the Stralau peninsula, where you will come across houseboats and rafts, chic new buildings and former factories. Along the way, you will always find information boards, as the peninsula has undergone an exciting development: from a small fishing village to a lively excursion destination to an industrial site. Along the way, there are some very nice places to stop for a cosy coffee or more.
Start: Ostkreuz or Treptower Park stop, Friedrichshain / Lichtenberg
More information about Rummelsburger Bucht
Tip 11: Bring your stamina for the 66-lake hiking trails
Are you looking for a weekend destination in Brandenburg? At 416 kilometres in length, the 66 Lakes Trail cannot be completed in one day. Fortunately, however, it is divided into many beautiful stages. A particularly worthwhile stage is the almost 25-km-long tour from Hennigsdorf to Wensickendorf, which requires a general level of fitness. Especially in autumn you should also make sure to wear sturdy shoes, because the route leads along the Briese which can be wet.
On your hike through autumnal Brandenburg you will encounter a swamp area, a forest river and a small lake landscape. The oxygen-rich air of the forest and the species-rich nature will certainly provide you with an unforgettable hiking experience.
Start: Hennigsdorf, Brandenburg
