Discover Karow

Karow can be explored through two very different themes: the landscape of the nearby Karow Ponds and the historic village street of Alt-Karow. Water, reeds and birdlife define the nature reserve; a 13th-century church and 19th-century farmhouses define the village street. If you are looking for accommodation, this distinction can help you plan your trip: do you want nature watching to shape your stay, or would you also like to make time for the history of the place?

Nature watching at the Karow Ponds

The Karow Ponds nature reserve consists of four former peat-cutting sites and fishponds. From four viewing platforms, you can look across reed beds to the water. The area is an important resting and breeding ground for waterbirds and reed-bed birds. Water, reeds and birdlife together give the reserve its character, making it especially interesting for people who enjoy observing the landscape closely. The circular trails let you combine nature watching with a walk. In summer, possible sightings include grass snakes, sand lizards and more than 20 species of dragonfly. Sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.

Circular trails and longer routes

The Panke Hiking Trail and the Barnim Villages Trail cross at the Karow Ponds. This supports different plans: both shorter walks and longer hikes and cycling trips can be included here. This distinction is useful when choosing a route: you can plan a manageable walk or consider the ponds as part of a longer trip. Check the signs on longer outings, as routes may change.

The nature reserve is just over a 20-minute walk from Karow S-Bahn station; there is another entrance on Bucher Straße. Treat the walking time as an approximate guide. Check local visitor conditions before setting out.

Village history in Alt-Karow

Alt-Karow’s historic village street is defined by a 13th-century village church and 19th-century farmhouses. The village ensemble and individual three-sided farmsteads are protected as historic monuments. A three-sided farmstead has buildings on three sides of a courtyard—the term describes a particular arrangement of buildings. Looking at the buildings, you will see different periods of construction alongside a protected rural architectural style. This is a different focus from the ponds: here, architecture and village history take centre stage, while the ponds are about water, reeds and birdwatching.

More park experiences in Berlin

There are more park experiences to discover in Berlin. The Tiergarten is Berlin’s largest and most visited central city park; it is suited to walks, outdoor activities and picnics. Tempelhofer Feld is a large public park where people picnic, sunbathe and play sports. These Berlin parks offer a different focus from the circular trails and birdlife of the Karow Ponds: here, the emphasis is on different ways to enjoy leisure time in the city.

When choosing accommodation, it is worth being clear about what you want to focus on: nature watching and trails in Karow, village history in Alt-Karow, or other parks in Berlin. This can help you decide which location best matches the experiences you want to prioritise.

Discover more destinations: Berlin, Berlin-Neukölln, Friedrichshagen, Velten, Pankow, Schmöckwitz, Wilmersdorf, Hellersdorf.

Go to the main travel overview: Berlin.