The Sternberger Seenland Nature Park lies to the east of Schwerin. A multifaceted paradise for active people: dense forests and flat paths along the lakes invite you to go hiking. The shallow current of the calm Warnow is perfect for a canoe trip, and the well-developed cycle paths between fields and meadows entice you to get on your bike. Three friends set out to explore the Sternberger Seenland Nature Park in spring on foot, by canoe and by bike.
The beavers are on the loose!
Sternberger Seenland Nature Park Center in Warin
It's still early when Alisa, Michel and Lisa meet in front of the Sternberger Seenland Nature Park Center in Warin. But the sky is already a deep blue and it promises to be a great spring day. Perfect for exploring the 540 square kilometer and incredibly diverse nature park, which was founded in 2004! The interactive exhibition in the nature park center gives an insight into what awaits the three friends today.
And it's amazingly varied! Shallow hills, rugged gorges with dense deciduous forests, picturesque fishing villages and vast lake landscapes - and of course the Warnow, which has always been the lifeline of the region and the river with the most water in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Most of the time it flows leisurely, to the delight of one animal inhabitant: the beaver. We know of more than 400 animals in the nature park, but there are probably countless more living in the many beaver lodges. Will the three friends discover one of the rodents today?Hiking on the nature park trail
Understanding the diversity of nature
A narrow blue stripe on a white tile - you can almost miss the signpost to the nature park trail, which is emblazoned on a wooden post. The hiking trail runs from Lake Schaalsee across the inland of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the Szczecin Lagoon and runs for 907 kilometers through all 7 nature parks, through the UNESCO Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve and the Müritz National Park – and thus also through the Sternberger Seenland Nature Park.
Alisa, Michel and Lisa turn onto the path along the Glammsee bathing paradise at the war memorial. The sounds of Warin fall silent immediately, surrounded by green thickets. Even the soft rustling of thousands and thousands of ants under the leaves can now be heard. The three of them stroll happily along the bank and through the forest, which is now particularly lush and green in spring. They soon reach the Graupenmühler Brücke in the Radebach valley. Here, moors cover the forest floor and a frog jumps onto the path. „How sweet they are“, shouts Alisa, taking the little quaker in her hand and carrying him safely along the path. At Lake Labenz near Friedrichswalde, the water glistens in the midday sun, a wooden jetty juts out over the reedy shore. Perfect for a picnic and a cool down for the feet!
And that's when Lisa discovers the first beaver track: gnawed bark from a tree on the bank. Quite clearly! Having recovered from the short break, the last stage – past the inland salt marshes near Sülten – is a piece of cake. But it's also beautiful here, because thanks to the salty groundwater, there are colorful flowers along the way, with the church tower on the hill behind it - simply magnificent. And you've already reached the banks of the Warnow river.
Canoeing along the Warnow
The bright red canoe wobbles precariously, Michel carefully climbs into the back of the boat last. It wouldn't be too bad if it capsized, the Warnow isn't particularly deep here in Weitendorf. The canoe glides gently across the peaceful river. The grass reaches right up to the bank, dragonflies settle on the thick stems. The surface of the water reflects the idyllic scenery, you almost think the Warnow is lying still. Only the gentle dip of the paddles leaves circles on the smooth surface. The canoe floats along as if in perfect symbiosis in the middle of nature, and the three friends quickly find their paddling rhythm. So absorbed that they barely notice the rare kingfisher sitting on the branch of a small tree just a few meters away from them.
The light of the afternoon sun shines through the scattered treetops, which repeatedly provide grateful shade. Michel steers the boat past a fallen tree trunk. „There, look! “ Again it is Lisa who discovers a small dam behind it. Beavers are clearly at work here. The destination is reached at Sternberger Burg, shortly before the river completely changes its face in the Warnow and Mildenitz breakthrough valley: Dense deciduous trees surround the opaque, winding banks and the Warnow is now wild and shallow. If you like, you can actually go on canoe trips lasting several days.
Cycling into the sunset
Groß Radener See - in the footsteps of the Slavs
The nature triathlon is almost over! Six kilometers still separate Alisa, Michel and Lisa from the lakeshore in Groß Raden, where the open-air archaeological museum, including the old Slavic castle wall, shows how people lived here peacefully with nature a thousand years ago. On the bike, you now notice every little climb, your legs are slowly getting tired. A long-eared owl sits in the tree and turns its head 180 degrees, watching the three of them as they hiss up the small hill - and then laugh as they descend again in the light of the setting sun.
In the field, a fox flees from one hay bale to the next, all the way into the forest. Finally, the lakeshore appears on the right. The three friends hurriedly put their backpacks on the grass. A wooden footbridge at the bathing area leads out onto the lake – and offers a view of the sunset. What a day! Alisa holds out her hand to her two companions. As if the clapping had been the starting signal, something suddenly swims off the shore of the lake. Of course, Lisa recognizes it first - a beaver. The peeking head crosses the lake at high speed in the spring-like evening light and parts the water. Right here is one of the beaver lodges.
Yes, the three of them now understand why the beaver feels so at home in the idyllic landscape of the Sternberger Seenland Nature Park. It is a hidden paradise for animals and people who are guests in this natural environment.
Unique experiences await you not only in the Sternberger Seenland Nature Park, but also in the other protected areas in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. To understand nature even better, we recommend a visit to one of the nature experience centers beforehand.
Show jumping weekend
- Next date: 12/5/25
- All dates: 3/21/25 to 12/5/25
- Schlossallee, 19412 Kuhlen-Wendorf
If you would like to try jumping or otherwise aim high, our show jumping weekend is just right for you.
Eickelberg Manor House
- Dorfstraße, 18249 Eickelberg
Classicist manor house from 1840 in the Warnow valley. Belonged to the von Lützow family, Mecklenburg nobility. Still under renovation.
Footbridge Klein Raden
- 18249 Warnow
The bridge takes you across the Warnow River in the nature reserve and connects wetlands and natural meadows.
Family New Year's Eve Party
- Date: 12/31/25
- Schlossallee, 19412 Kuhlen-Wendorf
Celebrate a roaring New Year's Eve with us - welcome to the new year on Donnerberg!
Slavic rampart near Groß Görnow
- 19406 Groß Görnow
Here you can admire the remains of a Slavic hilltop castle over 1000 years old. The local rampart is a typical example of the need for protection and defense in the Slavic period.
koepon farm store
- Closed today
- Golchener Weg, 19412 Brüel
In our organic farm store you will find a variety of regional delicacies from our Jersey cows, including juicy beef, our own farm cheese and refreshing ice cream. Everything comes from our organic dairy farm in Mecklenburg and is produced regionally, sustainably and lovingly.
Sternberg, St. Mary and St. Nicholas
- Mühlenstraße, 19406 Sternberg
Between Schwerin and Güstrow lies the typically Mecklenburg town of Sternberg, whose unusually large town church alone is worth a visit. It owes its size to the Mecklenburg prince Heinrich II, who began systematically rebuilding the town and building the representative church after a town fire in 1309. A year later he made Sternberg his main residence.
City wall with mill gate Sternberg
- Freely accessible at any time
- Mühlenstraße, 19406 Sternberg
The city wall with the mill gate in Sternberg enclosed the old town of Sternberg in the Middle Ages.
Warnow wooden bridge near Groß Görnow
- Freely accessible at any time
- 19406 Groß Görnow
On the wooden bridge you cross the Warnow on this round trip through the Warnow breakthrough valley.
Erratic blocks in the Warnow breakthrough valley near Groß Görnow
- Freely accessible at any time
- 19406 Groß Görnow
The glacial nature reserve Durchbruchstal der Warnow und Mildenitz impresses with its varied and unspoiled beauty. This also includes erratic blocks and smaller bedloads.
Kaarz castle with park
- Obere Dorfstraße, 19412 Kaarz
Kaarz Castle is a charming gem surrounded by a castle park in the love Mecklenburg. The partner hotel of WINSTONgolf accommodates 22 individual rooms, suites and apartments.
Museum of local history Sternberg
- Closed today
- Mühlenstraße, 19406 Sternberg
The museum of local history is located in the oldest house in the town of Sternberg. In a total of 14 exhibition rooms, the prehistory and early history of the town is presented here, among other things.
Kobrow Carriage Museum
- Am Dorfteich, 19406 Kobrow II
With more than 200 coaches, wagons and sledges, the collection in Kobrow is one of the richest and most important in Germany. The elegant victorias, coupes, wagonettes, landaus, phaetons and hunting carriages show the great variety of designs. There is also a museum café.
Open Air Archaeological Museum Groß Raden
- Kastanienallee, 19406 Groß Raden
Located on a peninsula in Lake Groß Raden, the open-air museum provides insights into the life of the Northwest Slavic tribes a thousand years ago with faithful replicas of dwellings and craft workshops as well as a temple.
The nature park is a multifaceted paradise that is best explored actively. Put together your own nature triathlon: Hike through dense, lush green forests, glide across the tranquil Warnow river in a canoe and discover the vastness of the meadows and fields on well-maintained cycle paths. Here you can experience nature with all your senses and simply take a deep breath.
This natural gem can be found to the east of Schwerin. With its impressive area of 540 square kilometers, the park is a huge playground for explorers. An ideal starting point for your tours is the nature park center in Warin, where an interactive exhibition will whet your appetite for the adventures to come and get you in the perfect mood.
The Warnow usually flows gently and leisurely here and is not particularly deep - perfect for relaxed paddling at your own pace. Just let yourself drift along, listen to the sounds of nature and enjoy the idyllic scenery from the water. With a bit of luck, you might even spot the rare kingfisher on the shore.
Keep your eyes open, because the wildlife is alive and kicking! The nature park is home to more than 400 beavers, whose tracks and footprints you can discover by the water. But rare kingfishers, nimble foxes and majestic long-eared owls also feel at home here. Every excursion becomes a small safari where you are very close to nature.
A very special trail is the „Naturparkweg“, which runs right through the inland to the Szczecin Lagoon and also crosses the Sternberger Seenland. Simply follow the narrow blue stripe on the white tile and hike along glittering lakes such as Glammsee or Labenzer See and through moss-covered valleys.
The variety will surprise you! Shallow hills alternate with rugged gorges and dense deciduous forests. In between are vast lake landscapes and picturesque fishing villages. A real highlight is the wild and romantic breakthrough valley of the Warnow and Mildenitz rivers - a pristine and impressive natural spectacle formed by the Ice Age.
Take a journey back in time and visit the open-air archaeological museum in Groäologisches Freilichtmuseum in Groß Raden. Situated on a peninsula, it shows you how the Slavs lived here a thousand years ago with faithful replicas. A fascinating insight into history, harmoniously embedded in the beautiful lake landscape.
The perfect starting point is the Sternberger Seenland Nature Park Center in Warin. An exciting, interactive exhibition awaits you there, giving you a lively insight into the flora and fauna of the region. Get the best tips here and start looking forward to your own personal outdoor adventure!
