Parsteinsee: Lake, Nature and History

Parsteinsee is located in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. Lake Parstein is considered clean, and the surrounding nature largely unspoiled. Natural stretches predominate along the shores, and several quiet protected zones are part of the landscape. Water conditions may vary seasonally. This makes the lake and nature the main focus of the destination, while designated bathing areas and historic sites offer different points of interest.

Swimming spots and water activities

Swimming is permitted only at designated bathing areas. Plan your day at the lake accordingly, and also check the latest local notices. The Parstein bathing area offers rowboats, pedal boats, volleyball and table tennis. The campsite on Lake Parstein also offers swimming and boating; it also has boat and bicycle rentals, a restaurant and a place to shop. Motorboats are not permitted on Lake Parstein. Before your trip, check which facilities and rental services are currently available.

Porch-front houses and monastery ruins

Lüdersdorf preserves two historic, listed porch-front houses. Despite ongoing restoration work, visitors can find information at the porch-front house about its architecture and the way people lived in the past. The remains of the Mariensee Cistercian monastery can be seen on Pehlitzwerder. There are bathing areas and campsites both on Pehlitzwerder and near Parstein. The historic themes offer different points of interest: in Lüdersdorf, the focus is on house architecture and past ways of life; on Pehlitzwerder, it is on the visible monastery ruins.

Getting there and finding accommodation

Parsteinsee can be reached by road, as well as by cycling and hiking trails. From Berlin, you can take the regional express to Chorin; from there, it is about ten kilometres to the lake. Factor this distance into your plans for the final leg of your journey, and check timetables and connections before you set out. The train journey takes you to Chorin first, so you should include onward travel from there in your plans.

When looking for accommodation, start with the kind of trip you want: would you like to focus on the designated bathing areas and facilities at the campsite, or also include the porch-front houses and monastery ruins? This priority gives your search a clear direction. You can then assess the location of accommodation in relation to your planned activities and decide which aspects matter most for your stay.

Barnim as the wider region

The wider destination of Barnim offers additional themes. The cycle route network in Barnim district covers a total of 610 kilometres. The “Around Schorfheide” circular hiking trail is 143 kilometres long and runs through Barnim Nature Park; cycling in Barnim Nature Park is also a popular visitor activity. Chorin Monastery is a key example of North German Brick Gothic architecture. The Niederfinow Boat Lift is Germany’s oldest still-operating boat lift, and the Finow Canal is Germany’s oldest still-navigable artificial waterway. Thus, the wider destination offers cycling, hiking, architecture and technology alongside Parsteinsee’s lake and local attractions.

Discover more destinations

Althüttendorf, Friedrichswalde, Hohenfinow, Lunow-Stolzenhagen, Britz, Ahrensfelde, Melchow, Marienwerder

Back to the main travel overview: Barnim.