Altenhof on Lake Werbellin offers several visitor facilities along the shore: a landing stage for a passenger boat service, boat and bicycle hire, a lakeside promenade and a bathing lawn. This gives you a range of options for spending time by the lake. Altenhof is also a starting point for hiking and cycling trips through the Schorfheide. When planning your stay, you can therefore decide whether to focus on the lakeside facilities or on excursions on foot and by bike. The infrastructure is available year-round; individual services may operate seasonally. If boat hire or the boat service is important to your plans, it is best to check the relevant conditions in advance.
Lakeside Activities and Local History
Altenhof’s cultural heritage includes the cellar vault associated with Breten Castle. It is protected as an archaeological monument and adds a specific connection to local history to the lakeside activities.
More things to do in the wider Schorfheide destination
The Schorfheide Wildlife Park is located in Groß Schönebeck. Its spacious enclosures are home to large wild animals and very rare traditional domestic animal breeds whose populations are at risk. The park also has seven kilometres of hiking trails with rest and picnic areas, as well as a large playground and a petting enclosure. This allows visitors to combine wildlife viewing with walks and places to spend time around the grounds.
The village of Werbellin offers a distinct landscape experience within the wider Schorfheide destination: it is located in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, amid a hilly terminal moraine landscape, parts of which are under special nature protection. The biosphere reserve offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, paddling, sailing, swimming and donkey-assisted hikes. The permits required depend on the activity and location. Before setting out, check the applicable permits and route conditions.
Cycling Routes and Navigation in the Schorfheide
The Lake Werbellin circular cycle route is signposted with numbered junctions and a dedicated route logo. Joachimsthal, Eichhorst and Altenhof are possible starting and finishing points. From Wildau, the route follows well-maintained forest paths directly along the lakeshore, crossing the wooden bridge at the Askanierturm, and continues to Altenhof. Altenhof is the only village situated directly on the lake. The tourist information office in Groß Schönebeck advises visitors on planning cycling and hiking tours as well as excursions to places of interest.
Exhibitions and Events in Groß Schönebeck
The station in Groß Schönebeck houses an exhibition about the natural areas of the Schorfheide and its Polish partner region, Drawsko. Concerts are regularly held in the Protestant church in Groß Schönebeck. The “Hunting and Power” exhibition includes an approximately 40-minute film shown on three screens about the history of the Schorfheide. It is screened every quarter of an hour during opening hours in the coach house of the hunting lodge. If you plan to see the screening, check the opening hours in advance. The landscape and history offer different thematic perspectives.
For the wider travel overview: Schorfheide.
