Hönow can be explored from two perspectives: the largely preserved layout of a Märkisch green village tells the story of the village, while the Hönow Trail and the ZR1 offer specific connections to walking and cycling routes. This makes a difference when planning your visit: you can make the village itself your main focus, or consider Hönow as the endpoint of a hike or the starting point of a cycling tour.
A Märkisch green village with its original layout preserved
Hönow was colonised in the 13th century by the Margravial brothers John I and Otto III and developed into a typical Märkisch green village. Its layout has largely been preserved to this day. The historical perspective therefore encompasses not just a single date, but also the settlement pattern that defines Hönow. When you visit, it is worth looking beyond individual buildings and taking in the village’s traditional layout as well.
Hönow Village Church is another specific landmark. As of 1 January 2026, it is listed in the State of Brandenburg’s register of historic monuments under ID number 09180476, at Dorfstraße 32. Seasonal visiting hours are given: visits are scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm from April to October; outside these hours, visits are by arrangement through the parish office. Before your visit, check whether these hours apply to your chosen date.
The Hönow Trail and the ZR1
The 23-kilometre Hönow Trail starts in Friedrichshain and ends in Hönow. Its length makes it a hike in its own right, so both the starting point and the destination matter when planning. If you include the trail in your stay, you can treat Hönow as the end of the route, rather than equating the trail with a short visit to the village.
For a cycling tour, the starting point is Hönow Underground Station; from there, the route joins the ZR1 towards Altlandsberg. It follows well-maintained cycle paths as well as field and forest tracks, which are generally suitable for cycling depending on the weather, and partly runs alongside roads. The change in route surfaces is relevant when planning your ride: weather conditions can affect how passable the field and forest sections are. Check conditions before setting off.
Historical highlights in the wider destination of Hoppegarten
The wider destination of Hoppegarten offers further historical perspectives. The 30-Morgen park belonging to Gut Dahlwitz was laid out in 1821 by landscape designer Peter Josef Lenné, commissioned by Count von Hacke. The railway station’s architecture also tells its own story: in 1890, Hoppegarten’s small station building was transformed into a stately Imperial station with a Princes’ Room. A skylight and abundant stucco give the Princes’ Room its lavish appearance.
Hoppegarten Racecourse opened on 17 May 1868. Around ten race meetings are held there each year from April to October. If you are planning your trip around a specific race day, check the dates with the operator. Dahlwitz Village Church offers another historical perspective: it dates from 1375, is the village’s oldest building and is protected as a historic monument. Thus, in Hoppegarten, park design, railway station architecture, horse racing and church architecture sit alongside Hönow’s own history as a green village.
Discover more destinations: Wilkendorf, Heckelberg-Brunow, Zechin, Buckow, Petershagen/Eggersdorf, Treplin, Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, Hennickendorf.
Back to the wider travel overview: Märkisch-Oderland.
