I had such a great idea. Let’s go hiking on the hottest day of the week! I think the thermometer got to about 36 degrees and yet it felt perfect when I started my walk in the morning at the Wannsee S-bahn station. I’d picked a 15 km walk with swimming opportunities and the option to take a ferry to an island to do some more walking there.
I started walking along the shore of the Wannsee, a massive and super popular lake. Close to the S-bahn station is a bathing spot and most people made their way straight there. Others were going on a trip with one of the big boats waiting in the harbor. I took a left and walked through an area with big houses and lots of sailing and rowing clubs. When I reached a statue with a lion I’d reached the walking path along the shore. People were running and biking there. Some families were walking with cooler bins full of food and drinks and inflatables for in the water. I passed several small bathing spots and after about an hour I reached a bigger, grassy field where I put down my towel.
The water of the lake didn’t smell very inviting and there are a lot of weeds in it. I went in anyway and even though it was shallow I started swimming so that I didn’t have to feel the weeds brushing my skin. I stayed for about an hour to dry off and finish my book. I stared out over the lake and admired the many boats, standup paddle boards and other floating things that came by. Then I packed my stuff and walked to the ferry for the Pfaueninsel.
The ferry that takes you across to the Pfaueninsel 
The ferry had a little mascotte 
A fountain on the Pfaueninsel 
Some peacocks walk around freely 
A huge bird cage with two peacocks chilling on the roof 
Walking on the island 
A little hunter’s building at the island 
Beautiful old tree on the island 
The dairy buildings of the island 
Close up of the Meierei 
The Meierei from a distance 
The Luisentempel had huge bushes of beautiful flowers in front of it 
A great place to walk around and enjoy a picnic 
The palm garden 
A lazy peacock is resting on a hot day. 
A view over the Wannsee. Lots of boats out today! 
Beautiful small palace on Peacock island 
An old building on the island 
Flowers near the castle on the island
The Pfaueninsel, or peacock island, is a small island in the lake. The ferry crosses about 50 meters of water. On the island you are only allowed to walk, not even bicycles can come along. The island used to be a getaway for the kings and it housed many animals at one point. What’s left are some buildings, among which castle, and the birds. The main one, you’ve probably guessed it, is the peacock. They walk around freely on the island and they even breed them there. It’s very pleasant to walk around here, admire the buildings or maybe even buy a drink in the meadow.
Back on the mainland I continued my way along the water. There were still more and more people coming to the swimming spots. For most of the time I’d been walking in the shade and it felt so good. But unfortunately my walk got sunnier right when the heat was the worst. I passed more castles as I walked by the palace garden of Glienicke and Babelsberg. Even in the garden in Babelsberg there were dozens of people lying on the grass and enjoying the sun and the water. After a couple of small parks I reached the train station of Potsdam.
The train ride back was the worst. It seemed sauna service was now included as well. That, with a mask on, was suffering. Coming off the train actually felt cool! But I’m glad I went on this walk. The temperature at the lake is so much more comfortable than in between the buildings of the city. There was a nice breeze occasionally and water to cool down in. I mostly walked on combined bike- and walking trails so it was a really great experience.
