To the enchanting Zweribach in the Black Forest
Switch off. Exhale. And really recharge your batteries. Where better than in the middle of nature? To the ...
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Wer hätt’s gedacht: Berlin besteht beinahe zur Hälfte aus Grün-, Wald- und Wasserflächen, private Flächen nicht einmal eingerechnet. Wem das nicht ausreicht, der macht einen Ausflug nach Brandenburg, dem immergrünen Vorgarten mit endlosen Möglichkeiten, durch Natur und Wildnis zu schlendern.
This article comes from the Book 52 small and large escapades in and around Berlin from DuMont Reiseverlag.
This book cannot even begin to give a complete overview of the green excursion possibilities in and around Berlin, but it does offer some ideas of what is possible in what is probably the most exciting of all capitals: How about a delicious slice of cheesecake in the city's most beautiful greenhouse, a wild and witty ride on the trolley or a leisurely houseboat tour always along the Havel?
Whether hiking, biking, paddling or enjoying nature at leisure: 52 small and large escapades make you want to discover the most beautiful corners in and around Berlin. For a few hours, a day or a weekend - irresistible excursions into the countryside await. Frog concert with cake, photo safari in the forbidden city or with the houseboat into the wilderness - it is so easy to experience more than the known. So get outside! Written by Inka Chall.
The Teufelsberg, the mountain of rubble in Grunewald with the old U.S. listening station on top, is known to all Berliners. The Drachenberg, also a mountain of rubble, is right next door, but is less well known. That's a pity, because from here there is a magnificent view of the city. The Drachenberg gets its name from all the paragliders and hang gliders that soar through the air here on weekends. You can get up there on foot in a number of ways: by forest walk, you approach from the Grunewald S-Bahn station via Teufelsberg, for example, along the former cable car route and past the climbing rock. The direction through the deep green and partly densely overgrown Grunewald is best determined with the help of smartphone navigation or a compass. There are countless small trails that lead from Teufelsberg to Drachenberg. Alternatively, you can climb the Drachenberg cross-country. If you start from the southern slope, you will experience a real scramble, because the Drachenberg is quite steep here. From the north, on the other hand, the climb is quite flat.
Wer es, als dritte Variante, direkter und einfacher haben möchte, fährt bis zum S-Bahnhof Heerstraße. Von dort aus geht’s entweder die Teufelsseechaussee entlang bis zum Parkplatz und über die steile Holztreppe zum Ziel. Oder – spannender – man biegt nach ca. 500 Metern von der Straße rechts auf einen der vielen Wege ins Grüne ab. Nach kurzer Zeit gelangt man auf einen recht breiten Weg, der in Schlangenlinien und gemäßigter Steigung auf den Berg führt. Auf dem platten Rücken des immerhin 99 Meter hohen Berges ist die 360-Grad-Aussicht spektakulär: der Teufelsberg mit der Abhörstation und der tiefgrüne, von oben dschungelartig aussehende Grunewald Richtung Südwesten, der Funkturm und noch weiter hinten der Fernsehturm im Osten.
On secluded summer evenings, you can end the day here and watch the surroundings being bathed in delicate pastel tones. You're rarely alone, but the atmosphere is peaceful, sitting on the grass, listening to the music of other sunset worshippers and drinking Berliner Weiße. With a bit of luck, one of the many foxes will drop by. Please do not feed them; they find enough food here and should not be accustomed to human gifts. Especially when it has become dark, it is best to go back in a group and be sure to take the path along the road. In the Grunewald there are many wild boars, which, depending on the season, sometimes defend their offspring. By the way: Also during special events like the famous blood moon, the Drachenberg offers a perfect view of the spectacle - and you are definitely not alone.
Take the train to Berlin comfortably and without traffic jams: Plan arrival.
Conclusion
From which place you can experience the most beautiful sunset panorama, the Berliners argue for decades. This mountain is guaranteed to make it onto the winner's podium.
There & away
From Zoologischer Garten take the S5/75 to the S-Bahn station Heerstraße, then walk south along the Teufelsseechausee.
Best time
Summer/autumn to sunset
Duration & Route
1 to 3 h. Easy route from Heerstr approx. 1 km, through Grunewald with detour via Teufelsberg approx. 4 km, can be extended as desired.
Equipment
Mosquito repellent, blanket to sit on and wrap up, flashlight for the way back. Don't forget Berliner Weiße.
For all those who want to get out of the daily grind quickly without having to travel far! Eskapaden are the new active guides from DuMont: Whether hiking, biking, paddling or simply quietly enjoying nature. The Eskapaden offer 52 small and large excursions and mini-vacations in Germany's most popular regions and cities. Whether for a few hours, a day or a wonderfully long weekend, whether alone, with friends or family - irresistible excursions into the countryside await. So off you go outside!
Cover image: © Inka Chall
