logo
ic_menu

Westhavelland Nature Park

5 Pareyer Dorfstraße, Havelaue, Brandenburg

Description

The Westhavelland Nature Park is a large nature park and reserve covering over 1,300km2. It is notable for its lakes and rivers (the Havel and its tributaries), wetlands, wide lowlands, small villages and serves as a habitat for many endangered species such as waterfowls, beavers, otters, white-tailed eagles and red kites. The park is also Germany's first dark sky park; it restricts artificial light pollution, thus favouring astronomical observations. Typical activities include hikes and bird / animal watching.

Access & Transport

The reserve is located 70km west of Berlin and best accessed by car with the villages of Havelsee, Premnitz, Rathenow, Rhinow and Neustadt strung from south to north along the B102 and the park's central axis. Rathenow in particular can be reached directly with the RE4 regional train from Berlin Central Station in just under 1h.

Instructions & Recommendations

Don't forget to wear proper walking shoes and carry some water with you. If you have some binoculars, make sure to take them with your to better observe the wildlife

Meta review

Most online reviews are from nature enthusiasts who enjoy the various landscapes and romantic little villages but warn not to look for an entrance or a main visitor centre and that it is best to have a car or at the very least a bicycle as the distances are quite large.

Environmental & Social

Eco-friendly activity Socially marginally positive as it provides some economic activity from tourism to the local villages

Conclusion

Westhavelland Nature Park is not spectacular enough to warrant a dedicated trip from afar but is a nice area for a day trip or weekend getaway for travellers on a regional road trip or Berlin residents. We recommend combining a "drive-through" with an extended hike or two.

Key positive

Easy to get to from Berlin

Not busy

Key negative

No standout natural feature

Suitability

We rate this as partially accessible for visitors with reduced mobility: can be toured by cars and some but not all paths will be smooth enough

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:1h 15m

est. visit time:4h

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. For a complete overview of all cookies used, please see MORE INFORMATION.