Schwerin

Schwerin is a regional capital surrounded by lakeland scenery and with plenty for holidaymakers to discover. Where to begin? In the city of Schwerin itself. The city centre in only 6km (less than 4 miles) away from the Seehotel Frankenhorst.

In order to get a first impression of Schwerin, you can take a city tour by bus or the somewhat more original rickshaw. You will be taken through the historic city centre, past the Pfaffenteich lake, the cathedral, castle and other beautiful sights in Schwerin. If you decide to take the red double decker bus tour, you can get off at various stops to have a closer look at the city. Then you can of course continue the tour later on.

Would you rather discover Schwerin on your own? Then why not use the "Geocaching" digital treasure hunt? This will allow you to use a mobile navigation device to take various routes through the city and get to know some hidden places. This means that you can spend your time how you wish and even leave the route to visit a restaurant or do a bit of shopping.

Castle

Schwerin's main landmark is its castle, which Richard von Weizsäcker rightly describes as "the most beautiful parliament building in Germany". Situated on a small island on the Schwerin inner lake, the castle's magnificent residential and state rooms are open to visitors. The "From cellar to dome" tour is truly exceptional. Not only will you be able to visit the usual rooms on this tour, you will also be able to get a look behind the scenes of the "Landtag" regional parliament. A secret spiral staircase will take you up to the dome of the castle's tower, from where you will get a beautiful view of the city and its seven lakes. Tours are available at weekends from April to November and on Sundays in December. Important: Valid ID is required for this tour.

The castle gardens, which surround Schwerin Castle on three sides, are a lovely place to take a stroll. They were designed in the style of an English country garden and also feature the castle grotto. From the top of the castle grotto, there is a lovely view over Lake Schwerin and its islands.

Those with tired legs might like to take a trip on a "Weiße Flotte" boat. The steamers follow various routes from the main pier next to the castle across the inner and outer lake.

"Pfaffenteich Lake"

The Pfaffenteich Lake is right in the middle of the historic city centre and is a lovely place to spend some time. Historic buildings such as the Arsenal, as well as plenty of cafés, overlook the artificially created lake. The shady lakeside promenade regularly hosts events such as the "Altstadtfest" festival and the Dragon Boat Race. If you don't want to spend your holiday walking all the way round the lake, take one of the little "Petermännchen" ferries across to the other side.

Lakelands

The lakeland scenery around Schwerin is best discovered by bicycle. There are various bicycle tours starting from the Best Western
Seehotel Frankenhorst, which offer plenty of diversity for your holiday in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region. Cycle on cycle paths along the inner or outer lakes and don't forget your swimming things and a picnic. For along the shores of the lake, you will not only find beautiful nature reserves - there are also meadows, small bays and swimming areas where you can bathe and relax. On Lake Schwerin you will find the Zippendorfer beach, the biggest sandy beach in the city. As well as offering a great place for a cool dip, you will also find some inviting restaurants and cafés along the beach promenade.

The small towns surrounding Schwerin, such as Groß Trebbow on Trebbower Lake are easy to reach by bicycle and worth a visit.

Culture

Schwerin also has something cultural to offer in the evenings. The Mecklenburg State Theatre has something to suit every taste with operas, plays and musicals.
The annual open air opera festival, which takes place against the beautiful backdrop of the castle, is really not to be missed. What began as a secret amongst opera lovers has now established itself as an international festival. So book early to enjoy a unique finale to a wonderful day in Schwerin.

1. Around the Schwerin outer lake

From Frankenhorst, take the link road and turn left towards Wickendorf. Turn right at the crossroads onto the K42 towards Hunddorf/Lübstorf. After 7 km (4 miles) you will reach Lübstorf, where you turn right towards Wiligrad. After Schloss Wiligrad, you reach Gallentin, turn right to Bad Kleinen. Now cycle to Hohen Viecheln on the L031, turn right heading for Ventschow. 150 m after the crossroads, turn right off the L031! You will cross train tracks and cycle round the northern tip of the Schwerin outer lake. The country lane leads through the Döpe nature reserve and on towards Flessenow. From here, follow the K1 to Retgendorf and continue to Rampe along the lake side. When you reach the B321, turn right onto the cycle path to the natural observatory. On the link road leading off to the right you will get back to the Seehotel Frankenhorst.

Total distance: Approx. 36 kilometres (22 miles)

2. Around the Schwerin inner lake

Turn right onto the road towards the Paulsdamm. Bear left at the Seewarte restaurant and follow the cycle path heading for Rampe. Continue straight on to the traffic light junction, then turn right heading for Leezen; from Leezen head for Görslow. You have the choice of either cycling along the lake or taking the direct cycle path to Raben Steinfeld. The route along the lake takes you through the “Görslower Ufer” nature reserve. You will need off-road tyres and will occasionally have to get off the bike and push it. Narrow tyres are unsuitable here. In wet weather, it is easier to stay on the cycle path. Please observe the code of conduct in the nature reserve. You will reach the B321 in Raben Steinfeld, bear right here, cross the bridge and turn right immediately. Pass the “Zum Reppin” restaurant and then you will arrive in Mueß; the Volkskundemuseum (Museum of Popular Art) is on your right; continue straight on until you reach the B321. Bear right here, turn right again straight after the “Zippendorf” restaurant and follow the path. You will get to Zippendorf beach and Franzosenweg. Bear right in the Schlosspark (castle park) and cross the bridge over the "Burgsee". At the castle entrance, turn left crossing the castle bridge, and turn immediately right passing the "Weiße Flotte" pier to the royal stables. Keep to the Werderstraße and after a few miles you will pass through the Schelfwerder woods to the Paulsdamm and the Seewarte restaurant. Turn left to reach the Seehotel Frankenhorst.

Total distance: Approx. 32 kilometres (19 miles)

3. Connecting route Banzkow

From Frankenhorst, follow cycle paths and cross-country routes to Leezen and continue to Goder. In summer, stopover at the shores of Pinnower lake and take a refreshing dip. A walk along the western shores of the lake brings you through shaded beech forests with ancient giant trees. From Goder, continue on to Pino, bear left behind the old church towards Petersberg. Continue cycling towards Sukow, crossing the B321. You will reach Ziekow via Zieltet, where you can then continue to Banzkow.

Total distance: Approx. 24 kilometres (15 miles)

4. Lewitz round trip from Banzkow

Cycle to Jamel, then through Waldlewitz to the Stör canal. At the canal, bear right and follow the path to Breiter Graben. Bear right here heading for Friedrichsmoor. Pass the Jagdschloss and go straight on at the crossroads onto the L092, heading for Tuckhude. 1.3 km (just less than a mile) after the crossroads, turn left and pass the fishing lakes towards the L081. Turn left towards Matzlow-Garwitz and after 1.6 km (1 mile), turn left again heading for the fishing lakes on the K65. When you reach the L092, bear right towards Rusch. Before you get to Rusch, turn left, the path leads to the Forsthort Bahlenhüschen. Turn left here heading for Bahlenhüschen, in the town, bear right in the direction of Göhren. In Göhren, bear left heading for Sukow (if you go straight on in Bahlenhüschen, you will get straight to Sukow). In Sukow, bear left again and follow the K30 to Banzkow.

In the middle of the Lewitz, a hunting lodge was built in the style of a log cabin in 1705 by order of Duke Friedrich Wilhelm. In 1791, Duke Friedrich Franz I had it replaced by a three-wing half-timbered building based on a design by Johann Heinrich von Seydewitz. Today, nothing remains of the avenues that once extended radially from the Jagdschloss. The connection to the then royal palace of Ludwigslust can still be seen and is passable by car in parts. Many public figures have visited the Jagdschloss. These include Kaiser Wilhelm I and Wilhelm II as well as Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.

Total distance: Approx. 43 kilometres (26 miles)

Jogging area

The Seehotel Frankenhorst is beautifully located between lakes and fields with small villages dotted all around it. There is a great jogging route between Ziegelsee and Schweriner See.

Jogging route

Schwerin lakeside:

• From the hotel premises cross the access road towards Paulsdammer Weg.
• Cross it and run on the left until you reach the village sign Wickendorf. In front of the sign, there is a nature trail along the lake on your right.
• After approx. 1 km, follow the stone path on your left through a small residential area.
• At the end of the path turn right into Eschenweg until you reach Seestraße (approx. 300 m).
• Then turn right downhill to the campsite. When you reach the entrance at the end of the road, keep left.
• Run straight through the campsite along the lake until you reach the about-turn. There is a small passage way to the left of the pointed houses which leads to the nature trail along the lake.
• You can run along this trail for as long as you like. For your return, why not take the road for a change.

Length

Approx. 1.5 km to the campsite, approx. 5 km until you reach Lübsdorf.

Street lights

None on the nature trails, street lamps in residential areas.

Inclines

Slight inclines.

Underground

Tarmac and nature trails.