The MĂĽritz-Elde Waterway separates Matzlow and Garwitz. Cycling routes into the Lewitz, activities on the water and historic churches offer different ways to shape your stay. You can choose how to experience Matzlow-Garwitz based on the interests that will define your trip.
Cycling and the Lewitz Landscape
A newly built cycle path leads from Neustadt-Glewe via Neuhof through the Lewitz directly to Matzlow-Garwitz. It is about nine kilometres long and is rated as easy. The Garwitz-Damm Elde hiking trail is a recommended destination for walks and bike rides into the Lewitz nature reserve. The area is characterised by woodland and meadows. On the Garwitz circular canoe route, the Lewitz European bird sanctuary is a point of interest.
The routes are not interchangeable when planning an outing: the cycle path leads from a specified starting point to Matzlow-Garwitz. The Elde hiking trail is suited to walks and bike rides into the Lewitz; on the canoe route, the bird sanctuary is a point of interest. This distinction helps you tell a direct cycling connection to the village apart from outings with different connections to the Lewitz.
Waterways, Marina and Outdoor Pool
The Matzlow-Garwitz marina has a rest stop for waterway travellers, or a boat mooring, parking spaces for motorhomes and boat hire. Garwitz has a marina with around 50 berths. Boats can stop at Lewitzcamp, where campers can stay overnight in a tent or caravan. Garwitz has an outdoor pool supplied with water from the Elde.
Eldebad Garwitz has a baby pool, a non-swimmers’ pool and a swimming pool with four 50-metre lanes. Facilities also include a water slide, play areas and a volleyball court. It is open seasonally, and opening times may vary; check the current hours before your visit. The water-based facilities serve different purposes: the marina and boat hire are for activities on the water, Lewitzcamp offers the option of an overnight stay in a tent or caravan, and Eldebad is a swimming facility.
Village Churches and Crafts
The present half-timbered church in Matzlow was consecrated in 1789. Its battered west tower was also added in half-timbering in 1831. Matzlow’s chapel acquired a Sauer organ in 2020. Garwitz has a different architectural history: its village church is a Gothic fieldstone and brick church dating from the 14th century. Inside are unique memorial plaques and a valuable carved altar from the 15th century.
The dates trace a timeline from the medieval village church in Garwitz to the consecration of Matzlow’s half-timbered church in the 18th century; the Sauer organ adds an event from 2020 to Matzlow’s church history. This places the different architectural and interior features in context without combining them into a single building history.
Another local speciality is functional ceramics: at Kunstpöttchen in Matzlow, Iris Thees makes handcrafted pieces ranging from egg cups to complete dinner sets.
Discover more destinations: Boizenburg/Elbe, Amt Sternberger Seenlandschaft, Amt Dömitz-Malliß, Amt Ostufer Schweriner See, Hagenow, Amt Hagenow-Land, Amt Plau Am See, Ludwigslust.
Go to the main travel overview: Ludwigslust-Parchim.
