From Hennigsdorf to Wensickendorf
I’ve got 25,6 km ahead of me when I arrive at Hennigsdorf’s S-bahn station. My guidebook promises that if I make it through the first few kilometers I’ll be rewarded with an idyllic valley. Well… let’s soldier on then.
Goodbye Hennigsdorf 
The forest where every corner seems the same 
Enter fairytale
Getting through the first 8 km isn’t very interesting. I walk along a busy road, through an eerie, straight forest called the Stolper Heide and next to the highway. After Niederheide it’s gets more interesting. I follow a bike path with a short detour through a meadow, where people are walking dogs and sitting in the sunshine on white garden furniture. It’s gets even better when I arrive in Birkenwerder.
Then the fairytale begins. My guidebook describes a magical little river and that’s exactly what I find.
I had no idea Berlin could be so diverse, so calm and so surprising. Birkenwerder is a small town at the edge of the city, which can easily be reached from Berlin. The surroundings are like walking through a film stage. There are houses with big gardens facing the prettiest little strip of green. I walk along, no on top of, my magical little river. There is a boardwalk that takes you right to the edge of the Briese river and guides you through a landscape where trolls come jump out at you at any time. Today I only see ducks though.
Even when I leave Birkenwerder behind I continue walking through the Briesetal, the river never far away. I think I’ve lost the magic when I enter a forest with a cemetery but then the route sends me abruptly to the right, where I find more boardwalks and a beautiful small lake. A few kilometers ahead the trail sticks closely to the river and I meet many other walkers. This is not just water like the Havel Canal. This river meanders a bit, get smaller and bigger. It has tall trees sticking out of it, some covered in moss. At times the water is perfectly still and reflects its surroundings. Other times it’s green and completely changes the atmosphere.
A dead tree lays in the wet land 
For some this is a daily walk with the dog 
Two kids bike over the boardwalk along the Briese river 
From the moment I see this river, it’s mesmerizing 
The trees are like islands 
It’s scenic around every corner 
A tall tree has fallen over 
It’s nice from every angle 
It’s so incredibly green at this time of year. Almost surreal. 
The river reflects everything around it 
At the end the water is green, creating a totally different atmosphere 
Trying to capture this small bird, but then it hides behind the leaves 
Goodbye river
When I leave the river the magic is gone. I follow a dirt road with properties and slowly get back into civilization and out of the fantasy landscape. I check my watch and realise I may just make or just miss the train in Wensickendorf. There is only one per hour. And so I pick up the pass on a wide forest road. I’m approaching town and I’m so excited when I reach the main road. In a few minutes I’m at the station and I’ll make the train! I’m the only one on it for the next two stops. Satisfied I watch the landscape fly by. You’d never know what beauty lies behind the fields and trees.
Your walk makes me want to do it too! I’ve been to Berlin thrice and absolutely love the city but didn’t know about how diverse it can be. For next time!
Well next time you are here you can explore a bit outside of the city 😀