A Hike Through The Erpetal

Paul Sullivan explores the gentle charms of East Berlin’s Erpe valley…

Located to the east of Mahlsdorf—part of Marzahn-Hellersdorf—the Erpetal or Erpe Valley area is a post-glacial drainage channel created during the last Ice Age, around 20,000 years ago.

The eleven-kilometer Erpe Hiking Trail, which forms a very tiny part of the European E11 trail, follows the river Erpe (officially the Neuenhagener Mühlenfließ) right through the valley, from Friedrichshagen to the Hoppegarten racecourse, meandering gently through forests, meadows and small residential villages.

The handsome S Bahn Friedrichshagen, where the walk begins. Image by Paul Sullivan.

These days the valley has a use as a natural backwater area for floods, and has been under nature protection since 1949. In 1995, it officially became a conservation site and is home to wild boars, sheep, horses, and a decent bird population that includes mallards, grey herons, warblers, and even the occasional kingfisher.

The walk starts at the attractive, heritage-listed S Bahn Friedrichshagen, which dates back to 1842. To reach the river, pass through the small Kurpark area next to the station; this scruffy, neglected area is a modern-day remnant of the nineteenth century attempt to develop Friedrichshagen into a health resort, and once boasted a natural theatre, medical pavilion, bubbling spring and tennis courts.

Residential houses close to Friedrichshagen station. Image by Paul Sullivan.

Head past the modern Freiluft Kino—built to replace a 1930 open-air theatre—and a smattering of residential homes to find yourself in a forested area, which leads to a spacious, open meadow and the eponymous river. Follow the Erpe for a kilometer or so through this meadow and it will bring you to the village of Waldesruh and the Heidemühle, a mill building that dates back to 1891, built on a previous mill that was first documented in 1434.

Following the river Erpe through open meadowland. Image by Paul Sullivan.

A nearby information board gives some local history—apparently up to six mills operated here at one point—and offers a 3.5 kilometre circular trail covering twelve nature and history stations, including another 15th century mill (Ravenstein), info on s…

Next in Day Trips & Weekends AwayRail Escapes from Berlin (updated) »