Melchow lies on the Eberswalde glacial valley and is a starting point in Barnim Nature Park for cycling and hiking tours for people of all ages. For a day of hiking, you can choose between the 66 Lakes Hiking Trail, which runs directly through the village, and a day hike with a specific distance and duration.

Hikes with different start and end points

The 22-kilometre day hike from Melchow to Falkenberg passes through Trampe and Gamensee and takes about five hours. It starts at Melchow Nature Park Station. In the village, the route follows the 66 Lakes Hiking Trail markings: a blue circle on a white square. The approximate duration and distance help with planning your day; you can schedule breaks at your own pace. Check the trail markings and conditions on site before setting out.

The Nonnenfließ circular trail offers a different option: if travelling by public transport, you can start at Melchow Nature Park Station and finish at a bus stop in Spechthausen. This means the start and possible endpoint are in different places. So, when choosing your route, also consider how you will get there and back, and check current connections.

For another walk, the Fairy Tale Trail in Melchow invites people of all ages to stroll, explore and marvel. This means that, alongside longer hikes, there are also trails with their own distinctive themes to choose from. Melchow Nature Park Station is also a starting point for signposted hiking trails.

Railway and local history

Melchow station is on the Berlin–Szczecin railway line and is served by Deutsche Bahn regional trains. The regional train from Berlin-Lichtenberg to Melchow is listed as the way to reach the starting point of the day hike to Falkenberg. Check current connections before travelling.

The station’s history is also part of the village’s character: Melchow Nature Park Station was built in 1904 as a small railway crossing keeper’s hut on the Berlin–Stettin Railway. There is also a listed blacksmith’s workshop on the village road along the L 200. Visits are possible by request, so do not plan one as a stop that is open at all times.

Events mentioned in Melchow include an annual Advent market and a dragon festival to which guests are invited. The Advent market takes place every year, but no regular schedule is specified for the dragon festival. Check event dates if you want to plan your trip around them.

Melchow as part of the wider Barnim destination

The wider Barnim destination offers other themes in cultural and technological history: Chorin Monastery is a key example of North German Brick Gothic, and the Niederfinow Boat Lift is Germany’s oldest working boat lift. These regional highlights complement Melchow’s specific hiking and local-history themes.

The region also has plenty to offer cyclists: the cycling network in Barnim district totals 610 kilometres. For a longer hiking route, the 143-kilometre “Around the Schorfheide” circular trail runs through Barnim Nature Park. This is a different scale from the 22-kilometre day hike to Falkenberg. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider Melchow’s local trails separately from the broader Barnim region.

Discover more destinations: Niederfinow, Joachimsthal, Ahrensfelde, Panketal, Schorfheide, Breydin, Althüttendorf, Liepe.

Back to the regional travel overview: Barnim.