Breathing in fresh autumn air on the Havelhöhenweg

Stroll on the Havelhöhenweg: Autumn Hiking on the Steep Bank of the Havel

The Havelhöhenweg runs above the Havelchaussee along the steep bank of the Havel, from Heerstraße in the north to Wannsee Beach in the south. The approximately 10-kilometer long route takes about three to four hours. The idea for the path goes back to the garden artist Peter Joseph Lenné, and it was laid out in the 1950s. Today it is part of the Havelseenweg, one of Berlin’s 20 green main paths.

In autumn, the Grunewald turns yellow, orange, and red, and mist often lies over the water in the mornings. What distinguishes this path from many Berlin hiking trails is the constant ups and downs over the Havel hills, sometimes via stairs, sometimes via rooty paths. It is not without reason that it is often called a roller coaster hike.

Grunewald Tower, Schildhorn, and Refreshments on the Havelhöhenweg

The most prominent point is the 55-meter-high Grunewald Tower, built by Franz Schwechten between 1897 and 1899. 204 steps lead up to the platform at a height of 36 meters, from which you can look far over the Havel and the forest. Further south follow the Schildhorn peninsula with the legend of the Slavic prince Jaxa and the small island of Lindwerder. Information boards along the way explain the sights.

You can stop for refreshments at Kaisergarten by the Grunewald Tower. Bus 218 runs along the Havelchaussee and stops, among other places, at Schildhorn and the Grunewald Tower, so the route can easily be divided into shorter sections. Sturdy footwear is advisable due to the inclines and uneven ground.