Into the Wild // Camping on Berlin’s edge
Waldeinsamkeit: the feeling of solitude that descends when you’re alone in deep, quiet woods. (And also one of the loveliest German words, don’t you think?)
Berlin is ringed on all sides by the state of Brandenburg, whose rural terrain and small, parochial towns are a pretty stark contrast to the über-cool capital city. It’s quite often said by expats and natives alike that Berlin is not Germany. Well, Brandenburg is most definitely Germany. If you’re an expat who’s barely left the city, you might even get a little culture shock.
Anyway, the main draw of Brandenburg for city slickers such as myself is its nature. From forests to farms to lakes to river houseboats, Brandenburg has it all, in spades. Last weekend, to mark the waning summer season, I returned to a campsite I first discovered a few years ago, which is just outside the city limits and easy to get to via S-Bahn. Fresh air: It does a body good. And Berlin being the wonderfully multifaceted city that it is, it just so happens that you can camp on the shores of a secluded lake and pay only the price of a C-zone BVG ticket to get there.
There is swimming. There is boating. There are long walks in the forest along logging trails, which will lead you to a trout farm nestled deep in the woods. There is water lapping at the shore as the moon rises over the treeline.
Last but not least: like every German campsite I’ve been to, the Mölle-Süd Campsite offers a daily morning delivery of Schrippe. Eating freshly baked Frühstück buns in a wholesome nature setting: Could there be anything more German?
Take the S3 to Erkner, then bus 429 | Mölle Süd Campsite | Season runs from April 1-Oct. 31
Kate (@shoegirlinDE)
August 30, 2013This is so nice! We have been worried about leaving all the natural beauty where we are when we make the move to Berlin, but this gives us hope. Nice to know we can be can be city mice AND country mice, if we so desire. Thanks for sharing!
Hilda
August 30, 2013Thanks for your nice comment! There is plenty of nature on Berlin’s doorstep, don’t you worry.
michelle
August 30, 2013I love this post! It’s so hard to find places that are easy to get to with public transportation. Glad to see they allow dogs. Thanks for such a great blog.
Sylee
August 31, 2013This looks like absolute heaven. I’ve always dreamt of a Berlin camping holiday: how perfect to know, now, where to start.
Olivia
September 3, 2013One of the best things of living in Berlin is being surrounded by nature just with a short trip. That’s very nice. I didn’t know that one. Especially now that’s a little cooler, you can probably have a lot of peace and silence down there. Nice tip!
Thanxs a lot 🙂
Isa
November 3, 2013Don’t have a marriage proposal, I’m afraid but…indeed, Waldeinsamkeit is a brilliant word and disposition.
Kadi
April 12, 2017Great, will try it this spring!