Stage 1 of the "66 Lakes Trail": Royal Palaces and Parks

A brilliant startIn Potsdam, the Prussian kings created world-class architecture and garden design. On foot, the trail leads through the palaces and gardens, out of Brandenburg's capital city and into the tranquil Havelland region. World Heritage sites meet peace and wide open spaces. The view sweeps across fields and waterways. Soon, Marquardt Park and Palace come into view, now a popular film location. A relaxed start to the grand 66-lake tour, full of surprising contrasts.

Length: 18,3 km (4-5h) from Luisenplatz | 21 km from Potsdam Central Station
Start: Luisenplatz at the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdam
Goal: Marquardt Castle

Logo / route sign: solid blue circle on a white mirror

Arrival: From Berlin Hauptbahnhof (S+U), take the RE1 (Magdeburg) or the S7 to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (S Potsdam Central Station). From there, take bus 695 (towards Potsdam, Alt-Golm) or tram 91 to Potsdam, Luisenplatz-Süd/Park Sanssouci.
Check out: From Potsdam, Marquardt Hauptbahnhof take the RB21 to S Potsdam Hauptbahnhof and then continue with the RE1 to S+U Berlin Hauptbahnhof (approx. 1h).

Directions: The Brandenburg Gate in Potsdam's historic city center marks the start and end point of the 66 Lakes Trail. From here, it's just a short walk to Sanssouci Park and Palace, the famous summer residence of Prussian King Frederick the Great. The trail continues over the wooded Ruinenberg hill, then through the Russian Colony Alexandrowka to the New Garden and the royal Marble Palace and the historically significant Cecilienhof Palace. From the two Italianate towers of the Belvedere on Pfingstberg hill, panoramic views stretch across the city and surrounding countryside. The former "Red Barracks" are just a stone's throw away. These massive brick buildings, once home to soldiers, now house modern apartments.
From Nedlitz on the Weißensee (White Lake), the landscape becomes more rural. The route follows field paths and old royal roads, leads through allotment gardens, and continues along the banks of the Sacrow-Paretz Canal. The destination is Marquardt Palace and Park with its old trees, meadows, and beautiful views of the Schlänitzsee (Lake Schlänitz). Marquardt train station is about one kilometer away.

Sights:

• Potsdam: Brandenburg Gate, Russian Colony Alexandrowka, New Garden, Marble Palace, Cecilienhof Palace (interior visits currently not possible due to renovation work), Belvedere on Pfingstberg
• Marquardt Castle (exterior view)

Road condition / route development: Flat hiking trail on asphalt and gravel paths

Maps / Literature:

• Bialk, Daniela: "From Lake to Lake. Hiking on the 66 Lakes Trail around Berlin", GU Verlag, 1st edition (2026), ISBN 978-3-7589-0227-7, €28,00
• "66 Lakes Trail, Hikeline Hiking Guide", 1:50.000, Publisher: Esterbauer, Edition: 5 (2024), ISBN: 9783711101624, 13,90 Euro
• Reschke, Manfred and Sternfeldt, Andreas: "The 66 Lakes Hike: To the Natural Beauties Around Berlin", Trescher Verlag; 10th edition (2024), ISBN 978-3-89794-623-1 (https://www.trescher-verlag.de/reisefuehrer/deutschland/66-seen-wanderung/), €16,95
• Hiking and cycling map "66 Lakes Trail: The popular hiking trail to the natural beauties around Berlin", 1:50.000, Publisher: Barthel, Dr., Edition: 4 (2021), ISBN 9783895911552, 9,90 Euro