Kleinmachnow: Lock, Village Center and Nature Trails

The Machnow Lock, the Teltow Canal’s only lock, stands on the canal. In the historic village center, the church, Medusa Gate and the ruins of the Old Hakeburg are notable traces of local history. A circular hiking trail leads around Lake Machnow; woodland also offers opportunities for walking, jogging and cycling. Kleinmachnow thus offers different ways to enjoy a trip combining water engineering, cultural history and time outdoors.

Machnow Lock and the Teltow Canal

The Machnow Lock is the only lock on the Teltow Canal. It served as a model for the Panama Canal’s lock system (1909–1914), connecting local history with a broader context of water engineering. Right by the lock is the Schleusnerbude, an information center about the Teltow Canal, the lock’s special features and the cultural history of the surrounding area. Maps of the signposted hiking routes are available at the lock, Friedensbrücke and the entrance to town on Karl-Marx-Straße. If you are planning a particular route, check in advance whether the maps are available at the locations listed.

The Old Village and its historic traces

Kleinmachnow’s historic village center, the Old Village, includes the church, Medusa Gate and the ruins of the Old Hakeburg. Medusa Gate takes its name from the Medusa head on its crown and can still be seen today. The village church was consecrated in 1597 under the patronage of the Hake family. All that remains of the Old Hakeburg is the vaulted cellar, uncovered in 2003. These details provide tangible points of reference for local history: a named gate, a dated church consecration and the surviving remains of the castle.

Cultural venues with distinct offerings

The surviving command tower of the former Drewitz East German border crossing is now an exhibition and event venue run by the Checkpoint Bravo association. The Kammerspiele were originally built between 1936 and 1938 as a cinema exclusively. The Neue Kammerspiele operates as a cinema; its cultural program includes readings, music and theater events, as well as a varied program for children. If you are planning a trip with children, this program can be a cultural highlight in its own right. If you would like an event to be a highlight of your stay, it is worth checking the current schedule.

Circular trail, woodland and protected landscape

The circular hiking trail around Lake Machnow passes the foot of the old New Hakeburg, runs through the historic village center with the Old Village Church and Medusa Gate, crosses the Bäketal nature reserve and continues to the Machnow Lock. Along this route, local history, nature conservation and water engineering come together in one outing. You can therefore view the trail as a way to combine several of Kleinmachnow’s themes on a hike.

Kleinmachnow’s woodland borders residential areas directly and is mostly accessible via natural paths. The municipal forest is used for walking, jogging and cycling. The Parforceheide nature reserve also runs through Kleinmachnow’s municipal area along the Teltow Canal. South of the Stolper Weg residential area is a 12.88-hectare Fauna-Flora Habitat site, designated in 2018 under the EU number DE 3645_301. So, alongside the clearly defined loop around the lake, there are other nature-related features to consider when planning your trip.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

If you are looking for accommodation in Kleinmachnow, your planned activities can help you decide: would you mainly like to explore local history and culture, or allow more time for the circular trail and municipal forest? You can also include a mix of both in your plans. This lets you choose accommodation based on the experiences that matter to you on your trip.

Discover more destinations

Borkheide, Radewege, Päwesin, Kloster Lehnin, Klein Briesen, Marquardt, Bad Belzig, Stahnsdorf

Back to the regional travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.