The circular hiking trail around Machnower See provides a thread for exploring Kleinmachnow: it passes through the historic town center and continues to the Machnow Lock. Woodland and cultural attractions add further highlights. When choosing a destination, you can weigh up whether walks, local history or culture best suit your stay.
Circular trail, lake and finding your way
The route passes the foot of the old Neue Hakeburg, goes through the historic town center with the Old Village Church and Medusa Gate, crosses the Bäketal Landscape Conservation Area and continues to the Machnow Lock. The circular trail thus connects Machnower See with the surrounding landscape, village history and the Teltow Canal. If you are planning a particular hike, maps showing the signposted hiking routes can help you find your way.
These maps are available at the lock, at FriedensbrĂĽcke and at the entrance to town on Karl-Marx-StraĂźe. Before setting out on a specific tour, check whether the maps are available at the locations listed.
Old Village and Machnow Lock
Kleinmachnow’s historic village center, known as the Old Village, includes the church, the Medusa Gate and the ruins of the Old Hakeburg. The Medusa Gate is named after the Medusa’s head on its crown and can still be seen in the historic village center today. The village church in the Old Village was consecrated in 1597 under the patronage of the von Hake family. All that remains of the Old Hakeburg is the cellar vault, uncovered in 2003. The route also passes the foot of the old Neue Hakeburg.
On the Teltow Canal, the Machnow Lock is a historic landmark in its own right: it is the canal’s only lock and served as a model for the Panama Canal lock system (1909–1914). Right next to the lock is Schleusnerbude, an information center about the Teltow Canal, the lock’s special features and the cultural history of the surrounding area. Local history and canal-related topics are therefore among the themes you can explore while discovering Kleinmachnow.
Woodland and protected areas
Kleinmachnow’s woodlands border directly on its residential areas and are mostly accessible via natural paths. The municipal forest is used for walking, jogging and cycling. If you are looking for a specific route, Machnower See has the circular hiking trail described above; the municipal forest, in contrast, is characterized by several popular activities. Both offer ways to choose the focus of an outdoor stay without assuming a particular walking time or level of difficulty.
The Parforceheide Landscape Conservation Area runs through Kleinmachnow’s municipal area along the Teltow Canal. Since 2018, a 12.88-hectare Fauna-Flora-Habitat site with EU number DE 3645_301 has been located in Kleinmachnow, south of the Stolper Weg residential area. These protected areas add a more precise geographical context to the local nature-related highlights.
Culture and events
There are also several ways to focus on culture. The Kammerspiele were originally built between 1936 and 1938 as a dedicated cinema; the Neue Kammerspiele now show films. The cultural program includes readings, music and theater events, as well as a varied program for children.
Another place with historical significance is the surviving command tower of the former Drewitz East German border crossing. Today, it serves as an exhibition and event venue for the Checkpoint Bravo association. Along with the village church, Medusa Gate and lock, the tower brings different chapters of local history to life; the Kammerspiele complement these historic sites with cinema and cultural events.
Discover more destinations: Gräben, Päwesin, Michendorf, Borkheide, Groß Briesen, Petzow, Wusterwitz, Stahnsdorf.
Back to the regional travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.
