Explore nature and fishing villages on the Szczecin Lagoon.
Quiet and idyllic and despite the proximity to the Baltic Sea not overcrowded even in the high season - this is how the Szczecin Lagoon presents itself in the very north-east of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In the west Usedom, in the east the Polish island of Wollin separates the lagoon almost completely from the Baltic Sea. Only the western part of the lagoon belongs to Germany - the border with Poland runs right through the water.
Small bathing areas, like here near Altwarp, invite you to take a break on bike tours
Cycling and hiking at the Szczecin Lagoon
Meadows, beech forests, but also dune zones, heath areas and moors characterize the landscape of the Haff coast. It can be explored on numerous hiking and biking trails, but also by boat. The Uecker with several rest areas on the water is ideal for water hikers. You don't have to do without the beach on the lagoon either: numerous small bathing beaches have been created between the extensive reed areas.
Altwarper inland dunes: relic of the Ice Age
A special natural phenomenon can be found in the small fishing village of Altwarp on the so-called Neuwarper See, which is actually a bay in the lagoon.
There are up to 15 meter high inland dunes, which are not on the water but quite a bit inland. They are a relic of the Ice Age, when large layers of sand were deposited in the region as a result of meltwater flowing off.
From the top there is a beautiful view over the lagoon.
Also on the Neuwarper See is the idyllic village of Rieth with the offshore island of Riether Werder. It is under nature protection and may not be entered because many rare bird species such as white-tailed eagles and buzzards live there.
The inland dunes are a special feature and worth a detour.
Ueckermünde: The largest town on the lagoon
The largest and best-known place on the German part of the lagoon is Ueckermünde.
There is also an information center with an interactive exhibition on the special features of the flora and fauna of the Szczecin Lagoon Nature Park.
The oldest building in town is the castle, which now houses the town hall and a lagoon museum dedicated to regional history.
The castle tower offers a beautiful view of the city and lagoon landscape
In addition to the old town with many beautifully renovated houses, the adjacent city harbor on the Uecker is also worth seeing. From there, passenger ships start trips across the lagoon. The zoo is a popular destination for families. Around 400 animals from 100 species live there, including monkeys, kangaroos and lions.
The pretty town of Ueckermünde is located directly on the lagoon.
By boat on the Szczecin Lagoon
With a water surface that is even larger than that of Lake Constance, the lagoon is an ideal area for water sports enthusiasts. Sailing boat rentals can be found in Ueckermünde. Pleasure boats can also easily dock in Polish ports. There is also lively traffic between the two countries with passenger ships. Holidaymakers can start from German ports, for example in Ueckermünde or Kamminke, to Szczecin or Świnoujście.
From Altwarp the view extends across the bay to Neuwarp (Nowe Warpno) in Poland.
With the bike around the lagoon
The landscape at the lagoon can also be explored very well by bike.
A nice circular tour, for example, leads 38 kilometers from Ueckermünde around Lake Neuwarper. If you take two days, you can ride the 114-kilometer Stettiner-Haff-Radweg, which circles the German part of the lagoon.
The tour is mostly flat and easy to drive. It takes a week to circumnavigate the entire lagoon in stages of around 50 kilometers each.
Combined bike and boat day trips are also attractive.
Many passenger ships take bicycles with them. With them, vacationers can, for example, translate from Ueckermünde to Usedom and explore the island by bike.
Excursions in the region
South of Ueckermünde, the Ukranenland in Torgelow is an open-air museum worth seeing.
Reconstructed houses and ships from the Slavic period give an insight into the life of the population in the early Middle Ages.
Visitors can look over the shoulders of the potters, blacksmiths and bronze casters or try for themselves how laborious crafts were in the 10th century.
A detour to the Christinasberg Botanical Garden near Luckow is also worthwhile. The special features of the private facility include the large peony collection, the magnolia garden with around 100 varieties and an alpinum with rare mountain plants.
The Ukranenland shows how Slavs lived in the region 1,000 years ago.
Insights into the history of the railway
Railway fans should plan a trip to Pasewalk to the adventure center of the Lokschuppen Pomerania association. In addition to a model construction system, the museum shows historical telecommunications and signaling technology in a former water tower. A special attraction is the government car of the former GDR State Council Chairman Erich Honecker.