Travel Tips Berlin: Grunewald Berlin

For those seeking relaxation and nature in the bustling capital, Grunewald is not far away. Located in the western part of Berlin, it features a forest area of about 3,000 hectares.

Each year, 100 million visitors come to this forest area, which was named Forest Area of the Year in 2015 and is equipped with numerous hiking and biking trails. Especially in the summer, inline skaters, cyclists, and walkers are drawn to the forest paths and the paved Crown Princess Path.

The best view of Grunewald can be found from Teufelsberg or the Grunewald Tower. Close to the lake, you will discover some of Berlin's most beautiful lakes.

Just a few kilometers from the trendy Berlin Mitte, a completely different world opens up for Berliners and tourists alike. Grunewald is the green heart of the city, the largest forest area in western Berlin, and a popular excursion destination.

The pine and oak forests are notable for their diverse flora and fauna. The multitude of forest biotopes, lakes, moors, and plant and animal species were also reasons for its designation as Forest Area of the Year in 2015. The German Forestry Federation has awarded this distinction annually since 2012 to a different forest area in Germany.

Especially during the division of Germany, hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to this water-surrounded forest daily. Even today, Grunewald has not lost its appeal. Many picturesque paths, the well-developed transport network, which is particularly popular with cyclists in summer, and various recreational opportunities make it a favored local recreation area.

Our tip: Not far from the forest is Teufelsberg, another popular excursion spot and a testament to living German history.

After all, the rubble from the city, which was almost completely destroyed in World War II, formed the foundation of the rubble hill. At the summit of Teufelsberg, half-ruined towers and buildings testify to US intelligence activities during the Cold War.

The entire forest area is interspersed with several small lakes, known as the Grunewald Lake Chain. The most well-known and largest lakes in Grunewald include Grunewaldsee, Schlachtensee, and Krumme Lanke.

Grunewaldsee spans 17.5 hectares and features the Grunewald Hunting Lodge built in 1542 at its shore.

Also worth seeing is the Schildhorn peninsula. Schildhorn, located on the eastern shore of the Havel with its many restaurants and cafés, has been a favorite destination for Sunday outings since the 1980s.

Here stands a monument honoring the Slavic Duke Jaczo, alongside historic buildings and a 100-meter-long beach area.

In the heart of Grunewald stands the Grunewald Tower on Karlsberg, offering visitors a view from 36 meters high over the surrounding lakes and forests.

The tower was built in 1899 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Wilhelm I, who had passed away 11 years earlier, and there is a large statue of him in the hall of the tower.

Grunewald Berlin is a beautiful piece of nature in the otherwise hectic capital. Here, you can spend relaxing hours in many different ways. Even a sightseeing tour through the woods is conceivable, as notable sites like the Grunewald Tower and the Grunewald Hunting Lodge can be found here.

For more information on Berlin attractions, special excursion destinations in the capital, and other ideas for your next Berlin trip, you can find it here.

State: Berlin

Location: Grunewald, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf District

Size: 3,000 ha

Established: over 20,000 years ago

Tree species: Pine (56%), Oak, Birch, Beech

Status: Local recreation area, nature reserve

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