25 years of Mecklenburg Switzerland Nature Park and Lake Kummerow

Published: October 13, 2025

The nature park trail in Mecklenburg Switzerland - a couple standing on a flat hill in the morning mist — ©© MV-T/Gänsicke

The Mecklenburg Switzerland and Lake Kummerow Nature Park was founded in spring 1997 and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2022. Many guided tours throughout the entire nature park make it possible for locals and visitors alike to experience the diversity of the landscape, the lakes and ground monuments as well as natural treasures such as moors, forests and old oak trees.

A special highlight will once again be the canoe tours with the ranger on the Peene, which will take place every Thursday from July to September next summer.

You are cordially invited to explore the nature park and celebrate with us! There is a lot to discover!

1. treetops and poets

Discovery tour from Ivenack to Stavenhagen

There is plenty to discover in Ivenack, a remote village in the heart of Mecklenburg Switzerland. The ancient 1000-year-old oak trees can still be admired in the former castle park. There is also a zoo with fallow deer and a treetop path on the 70 hectare site. Those who climb the path will be rewarded with a unique view and a panoramic view of the region at over 40 meters above sea level.

Once back on solid ground, you can discover imposing baroque buildings during a walk through Ivenack - the castle with its church and stables as well as the orangery and teahouse.

Just a few kilometers from Ivenack, the tour takes you to the Reuterstadt Stavenhagen. The life and work of the North German poet Fritz Reuter can still be felt throughout the town today. In the heart of Stavenhagen is the Fritz Reuter Literature Museum, which provides information about the poet in a modern and vivid way. The impressive statue on the market square at the entrance to the museum is impossible to miss and causes many a visitor to pause in amazement.

A few minutes' walk away is the restaurant „Café am Markt“, which is popular with locals and visitors alike.

Excursion destinations

on the discovery tour

To the map

Treetop path Ivenacker oaks

Tiergarten, 17153 Ivenack

The accessible treetop trail is 620 meters long. The highlight is the 40-meter-high observation tower with elevator and visitor platforms. The facility is located in the Ivenack Zoo.

Knorrige Stämme ragen in den Himmel, ihre Rinde erzählt von Jahrhunderten. Die Ivenacker Eichen gehören zu den ältesten Bäumen Deutschlands und stehen im Naturschutzgebiet bei Stavenhagen. Licht fällt durch das dichte Blätterdach und taucht den Waldboden in ein sanftes Grün – ein Ort, der Ehrfurcht weckt. // © 1000seen.de — ©© 1000seen.de

Ivenack Oaks National Natural Monument

Open today
Tiergarten, 17153 Ivenack

The 1,000-year-old Ivenacker oaks belong to the Ivenacker Tiergarten. They are cultural and natural historical highlight of the area.

Figur des Schriftstellers // © Tobias Kramer — ©© Tobias Kramer

Fritz Reuter Literature Museum

Markt, 17153 Stavenhagen

The Fritz Reuter Literature Museum Stavenhagen shows the life and work of the great Mecklenburg writer Fritz Reuter in a modern literary exhibition at the historical site. In house 2 a permanent exhibition is dedicated to the painter Ernst Lübbert (1879 - 1915). A lift for wheelchair users is available.

Café at the market

Malchiner Straße 9, 17153 Stavenhagen

Directly in the heart of Stavenhagen is the restaurant "Café am Markt".

Ivenack Castle

Am Schloss, 17153 Ivenack

The older, middle part of the castle dates back to the 16th century - the monastery building. A first extension took place in 1709 and after passing to the Imperial Counts v. Plessen around 1750. The semicircular stables, the orangery, the tea house and the church also date from this period. Around 1810, the castle was again extended by two wings. Since 2016, it has been renovated in accordance with the preservation order. The 1000-year-old Ivenack oaks in the former animal park are Germany's first national natural monument.

2. the "Switzerland of the small mountains" hike

3rd nature park tour around Lake Kummerow

(bike tour)

Excursion destinations

on the nature park tour

To the map

Schloss Kummerow - die Südfassade // © Alexander Rudolph — ©© Alexander Rudolph

Kummerow Castle

Am Schloss, 17139 Kummerow

The baroque palace on the shores of Lake Kummerow was renovated to the highest standards of historic preservation. The castle houses a private collection of modern art with a focus on international photography.

Manor house Sommersdorf

Schlossplatz, 17111 Sommersdorf

The manor house in Sommersdorf, formerly Alt-Sommersdorf, is located in the middle of the charming forest, meadow and lake landscape around Lake Kummerow.

Restaurant and boarding house Aalbude

Aalbude, 17159 Dargun

Directly at the mouth of Lake Kummerow, directly on the Peene, is the excursion restaurant Aalbude.For water sports enthusiasts, the shore fortification was provided with a long jetty. Here motor sports boats and sailboats can moor directly in front of the restaurant & enjoy the service.

Viewpoint "Great Rosin

17159 Dargun

The view into Western Europe's largest lowland moorland takes your breath away.a true bird paradise!

Restaurant and Hostel Am Hafen - Neukalen

Am Hafen, 17154 Neukalen

At the idyllic harbor in Neukalen you can enjoy delicious food here in the restaurant and on the terrace!

Salem viewpoint

17139 Salem

Fantastic view over Lake Kummerow: situated above the village of Salem, this place owes its name to the "Witches of Salem". A real eye-catcher at any time of year!