The Oberbarnim Fieldstone Route is a clear starting point for getting active in Oberbarnim: it is suitable for cycling and can be hiked on foot in two daily stages. Ihlow adds a noteworthy ensemble of a castle, church, park, fieldstone barns and ponds, as well as the Hagedorn Art Gallery, to the route. This makes it possible to plan activity, local history and fine art as distinct aspects of a trip to Oberbarnim.

Cycling and hiking days on the Fieldstone Route

The route passes through Klosterdorf, Ihlow, Pritzhagen, Bollersdorf and Grunow in the municipality of Oberbarnim. It is a suitable tour for cyclists and can be hiked on foot in two daily stages. The stages give the hike a clear structure in terms of time. When planning your trip, you can therefore first decide whether to explore Oberbarnim by bike or tackle the route as a hike spread over two days. The five place names make the route through the municipality concrete. Since Ihlow is part of this route, you can also combine the focus on activity with its architectural and artistic themes.

Ihlow: fortified church, ensemble and art

The noteworthy ensemble in Ihlow comprises a castle, church, park, fieldstone barns and ponds. The fortified church was originally built in the 13th century and restored after the destruction of 1945. The history of this building thus adds a distinctive historical perspective to the various elements of the ensemble.

Alongside the architectural history, the Hagedorn Art Gallery offers its own focal point. On around 60 square metres, the gallery exhibits gestural painting and conceptual art by Udo Hagedorn. Visitors interested in both historic buildings and fine art can view Ihlow from two different cultural perspectives: through the ensemble and the history of the fortified church, and through the gallery’s specifically named art forms.

More topics in the wider travel destination of Märkisch-Oderland

In the wider travel destination of Märkisch-Oderland, the Brecht-Weigel House in Buckow is a cultural focal point in its own right. It has been a museum since 1977. The literature museum hosts readings, concerts, talks, discussions, films, exhibitions and special guided tours throughout the year; the individual offerings vary. In contrast to Ihlow’s architectural and artistic themes, the focus here is on a year-round programme featuring a range of events.

Märkisch-Oderland also offers a variety of options for nature trails. In Märkische Schweiz, you can explore the 17 km Natura Trail; the certified Märkische Schweiz Nature Park Route is just under 21 km long. The two routes differ in their stated lengths. The Oberbarnim Fieldstone Route, by contrast, is described as a hike in two daily stages—another way to plan hiking days. Check trail conditions locally before planning a route.

The Sparkassen Ski Arena in Bad Freienwalde offers another sporting activity available across seasons. All ski jumps can be used in summer and winter. Special mats and weather-independent inrun tracks make year-round ski jumping possible; operational access may vary. So check current operating conditions before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Seelow, Neuenhagen, Strausberg, Bad Freienwalde, Wulkow Bei Booßen, Hönow, Reitwein, Treplin.

Back to the wider travel guide: Märkisch-Oderland.