Always with the tangy scent of the sea, tantalisingly glimpsed through the bizarre forests, quaint villages and charming seaside resorts.
The Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail E9 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern starts from the Bay of Lübeck. Sea buckthorn and dog roses line the path of the dunes between the peninsula of Priwall and the Baltic resort of Boltenhagen. From atop the high bluff, the eye is immediately drawn to the Hanseatic town of Wismar, its brick churches a welcoming vision from afar. In Rerik, the eye spans the seemingly endless blue of the Baltic Sea. Via Kühlungsborn, the journey goes on to Heiligendamm where the clean white of the houses during the day competes with the sails of the ships for brightness.
Onwards up the steep coastline, where at its peak just before Nienhagen, the mighty beeches strain to reach the heavens. The smooth tree trunks with their mysterious branches gave this place its name: Gespensterwald - The Ghost Wood. The forest trail leads onto the promenade just before Warnemünde taking you through the Baltic resort with its picturesque captain’s houses and proud lighthouse. Mainly following the beach with the refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea lapping at your feet, the trail takes hikers into the seaside spa town of Graal-Müritz.
Nature and architecture are in a pristine state on the peninsula of Fischland-Darß-Zingst. Along the wild, romantic beaches with spectacular steep coasts, trees bowed by the wind and thatched houses, the trail continues through the largest National Park in Germany – the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft. Keen-eyed hikers can find unique souvenirs along the deserted beaches, such as amber, fossilised sea urchins or hagstones.
The red-sailed Zeesen boats are a constant companion right up to Stralsund. The trail continues along colourful meadows and fields on to Greifswald. Tucked away amongst the trees behind the Hanseatic town are the romantic and mystical ruins of Eldena Abbey. The new Peene bridge takes you from Wolgast to the Island of Usedom. The leisurely flow of the River Peene, the hinterland's tranquil Achterwasser, the ten kilometres of beach promenade with its graceful pier leading out onto the endless sea – on the path to Ahlbeck, the sunny island provides the perfect showcase for Vorpommern's whole spectrum of nature and cultural fascination.
Beyond Ahlbeck, the E9 continues on to the Polish side of the Island of Usedom.
General notes:
As the Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail is unfortunately not well marked along its entire length, it is advisable to take additional maps with you. You can obtain more information about the Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail from the Wanderverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Warning regarding hiking on eroding banks:
eroding banks are special feature of the coast and are constantly changing. Washouts and landslides are a common occurrence. For your own safety you should only use the marked paths near the edges and look out for the warning signs.
