A picnic area on the southern shore of Lake Katerbow offers views of the water; from there, the circular hiking trail follows natural paths through the forest, passing Charlottenhof and Buchenwald. The Netzeband Theater Summer also features classical plays on an open-air natural stage. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on the lake and trails or on a summer theater performance. The source of the Temnitz is near Pfalzheim, by Rägelin, in the municipality of Temnitzquell. Lake Katerbow, about two kilometers long, is in the village of Katerbow and lies on the edge of the Mecklenburg Lake District.
Lake Katerbow and the circular hiking trail
On the southern shore, the picnic area offers a viewpoint overlooking the lake. The circular hiking trail starts and ends at the village church in Katerbow. From the picnic area, it follows natural paths through the forest, passing the two villages of Charlottenhof and Buchenwald. This offers a choice of two different perspectives: views of the lake from the picnic area, or a hike with stretches through forest and villages. The church, which marks the start and end of the route, and the two villages are helpful landmarks for finding your way. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Summer program in Netzeband
Since 1996, the Netzeband Theater Summer has presented classical plays every summer, including works by Fontane, Brecht, and Shakespeare. The performances are staged as synchronized theater on the large open-air natural stage in the manor park below Temnitz Church. This provides a seasonal highlight alongside the natural attractions around Lake Katerbow. If you would like to include a performance in your trip plans, check the current dates and program in advance.
Getting to Netzeband
The Prignitz-Express RE 6 runs from Berlin via Neuruppin, or from the direction of Wittstock, to the Netzeband stop. Bus route 762 runs from Neuruppin to the Netzeband Kirche stop, Monday through Friday. The two services stop at different locations in Netzeband, so check which destination is relevant to your plans. Check the current timetable and operating days before traveling.
Ostprignitz-Ruppin as the wider regional context
The wider destination of Ostprignitz-Ruppin offers a landscape that extends beyond individual towns. The district is predominantly rural, with expansive countryside, beech and pine forests, meadows, shady tree-lined avenues, and numerous lakes and rivers. The Ruppin Lake District is one of the district’s tourist regions. Another regional natural attraction is the Kyritz-Ruppin Heath: it covers 12,000 hectares within Ostprignitz-Ruppin, has been part of Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park since 2021, and is one of Europe’s largest contiguous areas of Calluna heathland. The nature park lies partly within the district and invites visitors to hike and cycle. Lake Katerbow and its circular trail offer a way to explore the area locally, while the heath and nature park open up a wider view of the region.
Discover more destinations
Wittstock/Dosse, Wusterhausen/Dosse, Rheinsberg, RĂĽthnick, Langen, Zernitz-Lohm, Kyritz, Vielitzsee
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