Ivenack: Ancient Oaks, Lake and Palace Park

The nearly thousand-year-old Methuselah Oak is a special starting point for discovering Ivenack. Experiences in nature, the lake and Baroque architectural history give the place its many facets. You can tailor your trip to your group’s interests, with wildlife watching and ancient trees as well as the park and palace ensemble.

Ancient Oaks and Wildlife Park

The Ivenack Wildlife Park is Germany’s first National Natural Monument. It includes a wood pasture and five thousand-year-old oaks. On July 2, 2025, the Methuselah Oak was added as the 50th tree to Germany’s National Heritage Trees list. Its long history can thus also be marked by a specific distinction.

At the Ivenack Oaks, visitors can observe fallow deer, wild horses and wild boar at close range. A nature trail and an exhibition in the Baroque pavilion round out the visitor offerings. Anyone wishing to learn more about the oaks can arrange a tour with forest educators. The offerings have different emphases: wildlife watching, nature topics or a guided exploration.

Lake, Circular Trail and Views Above the Tree Canopy

Lake Ivenack is about 1,180 metres long and 550 metres wide; its water surface covers around 97 hectares. The natural circular trail around the lake is about 5.5 kilometres long. It passes through the palace park, woods and fields, as well as the Ivenack Oaks wildlife park area. This route therefore brings several types of landscape together in a single walk.

At the oaks, a 40-metre-high viewing platform offers panoramic views over the canopies of the ancient oaks and Lake Ivenack. It can be reached by lift. The treetop path at the Ivenack Oaks is 620 metres long. The platform and path offer two specific places to visit if you want to focus on views of the ancient trees.

Palace Park and Architectural History

Ivenack preserves an almost completely intact Baroque palace complex with a palace, stables, orangery, tea house, church and park. Around 1800, the Baroque palace park was redesigned as an English landscape garden; the thousand-year-old oaks also stand within its grounds. A walk through the palace park lets you explore all parts of the palace ensemble.

Another historical landmark is the former monastery church in Ivenack, which dates back to the 13th century. Nature and culture thus stand alongside one another as distinct themes during a stay: on the one hand, the wildlife park, oaks and lake shape what there is to discover; on the other, the palace complex, park and church offer points of connection to architectural and local history.

Plan Your Accommodation and Stay

From Stavenhagen, you can reach the Ivenack Oaks on foot or by bicycle, covering about 3 to 4 kilometres. There is a nature trail at the Ivenack Oaks site; it is also accessible and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Check these details again before travelling if they are important for your plans.

There is a forest shop and forest café by the thousand-year-old oaks. As visitor services may change, it is advisable to check shortly before your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Rosenow, Stavenhagen, Kittendorf, Jürgenstorf, Mölln, Zettemin, Grammentin, Gülzow.

Back to the overarching travel guide: Amt Stavenhagen.