Kotzen – Hiking, Cycling and Landscape

Kotzen combines hiking and cycling with a rest stop for guests on the Havelland Cycle Route. On the northwestern edge of the village, a species-rich hedgerow of trees and shrubs adds to the landscape. If you are looking for accommodation here, you can plan your stay around the options in and around Kotzen and consider the wider Havelland region for additional nature and cultural experiences.

Hiking, cycling and a rest stop in Kotzen

There are numerous hiking and cycling opportunities in and around Kotzen. These also include the districts of Kriele and Landin, as well as the village of Rhinsmühlen. Whether you prefer exploring on foot or focusing on cycling, both activities are among the options available locally and in the surrounding area.

For guests on the Havelland Cycle Route, the new seating and bicycle racks in Kotzen provide a place to stop and rest. If you plan to stop here, check current availability before setting out.

A distinctive feature of the landscape lies on the northwestern edge of the village: As part of a project running from 2023 to 2026, a species-rich hedgerow of native trees and shrubs suited to the local conditions was planted along a stretch of around 800 metres. The planting includes hazel, wild roses, goat willow, rowan, wild cherry and field maple. The hedgerow adds a tangible glimpse of the landscape on the edge of the village to the hiking and cycling opportunities.

The Havelland as a regional travel horizon

Beyond Kotzen, the Havelland offers different options for cycling days. The Havelland Cycle Route runs through the Havelländisches Luch via Nauen, Ribbeck and Rathenow to the Westhavelland Nature and Star Park. It is mostly paved, flat and pleasant to ride. The Havelland’s junction-based signposting also lets you put together individual cycling routes. This means there are two different ways to plan: follow a signposted route with a described course, or combine your own route.

For birdwatching, another regional highlight is Gülper See: On its southern shore, a roughly 1.5-kilometre-long educational trail with illustrated information panels invites visitors to explore. In spring and autumn, up to 100,000 geese and hundreds of cranes gather there; numerous wading birds, ducks and grey herons also visit. These seasonal changes make the time of year an important planning consideration: spring and autumn migration is a particular feature of this nature experience.

Nature and culture in the Havelland

At the Westhavelland Nature Park Centre, topics including the lowland landscape, the renaturation of the Lower Havel, Germany’s last great bustards and Germany’s first Star Park are brought to life for visitors of all ages. Those interested in the region’s history can explore further topics at museums throughout the Havelland. Opened on 1 May 2019, the Fontane Museum in Ribbeck Palace uses modern museum technology to present the connections between Theodor Fontane, his century, Ribbeck and the palace’s architectural history. In Kleßen, the Toy Museum in the Havelland displays toys from 150 years of childhood.

Stölln also combines an exhibition with a themed trail: The Lilienthal Centre presents an exhibition about Lilienthal that is significant beyond the region. The Lilienthal Trail connects the centre with the IL 62 “Lady Agnes” at the foot of Gollenberg. The Havelland thus offers a choice of nature topics, birdwatching and culture, each with its own focus, rather than limiting a stay to just one type of excursion.

Choose your accommodation and its location based on the places you actually want to visit. That way, you can consider Kotzen as a destination while deciding which regional themes you would like to include in your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Gollenberg, Schönwalde-Glien, Ketzin, Stechow-Ferchesar, Milower Land, Nauen, Dallgow-Döberitz, Seeblick.

Back to the regional travel overview: Havelland.