Discover Lauterbach: Harbour, Vilm and Bodden trails

The harbour gives Lauterbach its maritime character: guided excursions to the protected island of Vilm depart from here, and the marina provides facilities for boats. There is also a rail connection to Lauterbach Mole and a trail through the Bodden landscape linking Lauterbach with Putbus. This means you can tailor your stay to different interests—from a guided visit to the island or time on a boat to exploring on foot or by bike.

Excursions to Vilm and the marina

Vilm is accessible only on guided excursions, and places are strictly limited. Excursions are available seasonally. If you would like to include a visit in your trip, check the dates before you travel. This makes an excursion a clearly defined way to experience the protected island—not an independently planned trip at your own discretion.

The marina also offers specific information for boaters: up to 400 berths are listed for the summer; the depth is 5 metres, and the capacity accommodates boats up to 35 metres long. These three measurements describe different requirements and should be taken into account when planning a berth. As marina specifications may change, confirm them locally before making your plans.

Getting here and routes between Lauterbach and Putbus

Lauterbach Mole is served directly from Putbus by the historic narrow-gauge train, the Rasender Roland. Buses connect Lauterbach with Putbus and Bergen, and parking is available at the harbour. Rail, bus and car are therefore listed as different travel options. Timetables and parking regulations may change seasonally, so check the relevant details for your trip in good time.

Those who prefer to get around on foot or by bike will find another direct link between the two places: a trail through the Bodden landscape connects Putbus and Lauterbach. Trail conditions can vary on walks and bike rides.

Putbus as a complementary cultural and landscape destination

The wider destination of Putbus has its own historical and cultural focus. In 1810, Prince Wilhelm Malte zu Putbus planned Putbus as a royal residence with a formal layout centred on his palace. The approximately 75-hectare palace park is an English landscape garden and one of the most significant surviving park landscapes in northern Germany. This history and landscape in Putbus complement Lauterbach’s harbour and Bodden focus.

A longer tour can also be planned from Putbus: the easy Bodden loop is about 12 kilometres long. It starts in Putbus, passes through Lauterbach and the Goor Forest, and returns through the palace park. The route is flat and family-friendly, with views of the Rügischer Bodden along the way. Check trail conditions before setting out on a bike ride. This offers a way to combine time at the harbour with a specific circular tour in the wider destination, without confusing the two starting points.

The Rasender Roland is a steam-powered narrow-gauge railway with a track gauge of 750 millimetres, operating on Rügen since 1895. From Putbus, the line connects the town with Binz, Sellin, Baabe and Göhren; the network has 24.2 kilometres of track in total. For planning a trip to Lauterbach, the key detail is the direct service from Putbus to the pier. The other connections show the railway’s wider regional reach, while timetables and operations may vary seasonally.

Putbus also has several distinct cultural venues. The Orangerie hosts changing exhibitions organised by the Rügen Cultural Foundation. Built between 1821 and 1824, the Marstall served the princely family as a stable and coach house; today it is used as a venue for the Rügen Festival, whose specific programme may vary. A neoclassical ensemble of whitewashed homes and commercial buildings is arranged around the Circus. The Schlosskirche was created in the late 19th century by converting a former spa hall in the park and was consecrated in 1892.

Further insights into Putbus can be found at the Rügen Doll and Toy Museum, with exhibits spanning three centuries, and at the Putbus Theatre. Its repertoire includes drama, musical theatre, cabaret, children’s performances, concerts and guest performances; individual productions change. The theatre is a venue for the Theatre Vorpommern and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival. If you are considering Lauterbach as a place to stay, you can weigh up a stay focused on the harbour and Bodden trail against additional cultural or landscape experiences in Putbus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Groß-Stresow, Vilmnitz, Kasnevitz, Güstelitz, Lonvitz, Pastitz, Neuendorf.

To the overview of the wider destination: Putbus.