Those choosing Borkheide as a place to stay will find several different points of interest locally: early aviation history, a signposted hiking trail, a natural swimming lake and cycling connections. The Hans Grade Hiking Trail links several places in the town; cyclists can follow a number of long-distance routes. This makes it possible to plan your stay around your preferred interests.
Aviation history along the Hans Grade Hiking Trail
The Hans Grade Hiking Trail starts at Borkheide railway station, is signposted and is considered easy to walk. It leads along Friedrich-Engels-Straße to the market square. There, a memorial stone and information signs commemorate the former Mars airfield. It was located in what is now the town center and was Germany’s first powered-aircraft airfield. The trail also passes the forest bath on its way to the cemetery, where Käthe and Hans Grade have an honorary grave. Hans Grade’s grave is in the cemetery; the municipality describes him as Germany’s first powered-aircraft pilot and an aviation pioneer. The memorial stone was erected in 1979 to mark his 100th birthday. Those interested in aviation history can visit several local sites connected with the hiking trail. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Church and memorial sites
The Borkheide church is a half-timbered forest chapel built around 1927. Community events include the annual Music by the Stove evening and an autumn brunch. If you would like to combine your visit with an event, check the dates before your trip.
The forest cemetery is set in a natural landscape. On the Path of Remembrance, abandoned and partly forgotten gravestones have been given a new place. The path thus focuses on how older gravestones are treated and complements the aviation memorial sites with another aspect of local history.
Forest bath and outdoor activities
A 2021 municipal description presents the Borkheide forest bath as a chemical-free, accessible natural swimming lake with a 1,000 m² swimming pond and a 3 m-high diving tower. For children, it lists a toddler pool, a children’s slide, a mud-play area, a play ship, a basket swing and a water spiral; a beach volleyball court is also listed. Check current operating details before visiting.
The hiking trail and forest bath offer different ways to spend time outdoors: walking brings the market square and memorial sites into view, while the bath offers a separate option with the water and play facilities described. Which stops you combine depends on your day’s plans; no set visit durations are specified.
Cycling routes and travel
The EuroVelo 1 route passes through Borkheide, connecting the French Channel coast near Boulogne with Saint Petersburg. The German Unity Cycle Route from Berlin to Bonn and the Tour Brandenburg also pass through the town. These routes differ in their stated endpoints and route references: Boulogne and Saint Petersburg, Berlin and Bonn, and the Tour Brandenburg. If you are choosing a route for your plans, you can start with these route descriptions.
The Asparagus Hiking Trail leads from Borkheide to the asparagus farm in Klaistow. If you plan to take this route, check current trail conditions and whether your destination is open beforehand. Passengers can take their bicycles on the Regional Express R7 to Borkheide; check the current timetable. The RE 7 runs toward Berlin and Dessau, and Borkheide railway station is the starting point of the Hans Grade Hiking Trail. Borkheide is also connected to the A9 motorway. This means both rail and road connections are available for travel, while the routes in the area offer different points of interest.
Discover more destinations: Golm, Groß Kreutz, Roskow, Zauchwitz, Beelitz, Linthe, Potsdam, Rabenstein/Fläming.
For the regional travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.
