{"id":8976,"date":"2020-06-06T11:00:03","date_gmt":"2020-06-06T09:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/?p=8976"},"modified":"2023-09-13T12:39:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T10:39:04","slug":"ausflug-doeberitzer-heide-berlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/en\/ausflug-doeberitzer-heide-berlin\/","title":{"rendered":"D\u00f6beritzer Heide - Trip to the old Military Training Area near Berlin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Right at the gates of Berlin there are bisons, Przewalski horses, red deer and even sea eagles. An extensive network of hiking trails leads through a fascinating landscape of heathland, sand dunes, grassland and forests with old oak stands. Sounds good, doesn't it? A unique natural paradise has developed on the former military training area \"D\u00f6beritz\". The \"Sielmanns Naturlandschaft D\u00f6beritzer Heide\" invites you to a diverse nature experience. Read my tips for hiking on the D\u00f6beritzer Heide and find out what you can see on your trip to the former military training area near Berlin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From the Military Training Area \"D\u00f6beritz\" to an Excursion Destination near Berlin<\/a>
Hiking on the D\u00f6beritzer Heide near Berlin<\/a>
When is the best Season for a Trip to the D\u00f6beritzer Heide?<\/a>
By Bus and Train for Hiking in the D\u00f6beritzer Heide<\/a><\/strong>
Conclusion about my Trip to the D\u00f6beritzer Heide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The landscape gardener takes care that the heath landscape does not grow over. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the many information boards with hiking trails on the D\u00f6beritzer Heide is located directly at the car park at the entrance to Elstal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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From the Military Training Area \"D\u00f6beritz\" to an Excursion Destination near Berlin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The use as a Military Training area created special Biotopes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The use as a military training area created special biotopes\n\nThe D\u00f6beritzer Heide was officially inaugurated in 1895 by Kaiser Wilhelm II as a military training area. But even before that, military exercises had already taken place on the site. Around the end of the century, large areas were finally cleared. This resulted in desert-like areas. A narrow-gauge railway was built to transport the timber. In some places even remains of the railway embankment can still be seen. During the Hitler era, bunkers and other shooting ranges were built on the site. Large caserns were also built in the neighbourhood: the Adler-L\u00f6wenkaserne in Elstal and the Krampnitz-Kaserne near Potsdam. After the Second World War, the Soviet occupation troops used the area as a training ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Relics of the former use can still be found.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Another artifact by the wayside.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

During its use as a military training area, special biotopes developed. Tracked vehicles, fires and explosions limited the vegetation. Open and semi-open areas low in nutrients were created. The area became a unique, wilderness-like retreat for plants and animals. Many of them are on the Red List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sand lizards have also developed a taste for the former military training area. Here a female sunbathes on one of the cycle paths. The males are coloured green on the head and torso during the mating season.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tip:<\/strong> There are more former military training areas around Berlin which are interesting destinations for excursions. For example Forst-Zinna near J\u00fcterborg or the Sch\u00f6nower Heide in the north of Berlin. Are you interested in Lost Places? Then have a look at my article about the Lost Places in Berlin and Brandenburg <\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nature Experience Space with special Landscape Gardeners and Military Relics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1992, the Naturschutz F\u00f6rderverein D\u00f6beritzer Heide e.V.<\/a> <\/strong>took care of the preservation and development of the areas. There was a lot to do. After the end of military use, the valuable open landscapes were threatened by scrub encroachment. The diversity of biotopes and species was endangered by natural succession. In addition, the entire area was contaminated with explosive ordnance and the occupation troops left behind mountains of rubbish and scrap. It was not until 1999 that the clearance of explosive ordnance and the removal of the contaminated sites<\/strong> was finally begun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Signs warn you not to leave the paths.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Landscape Gardeners<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The former military training area became an exemplary nature experience area<\/strong>. With some very special landscape gardeners: bisons, Przewalski horses, red deer, sheep and goats keep the vegetation short and thus help to preserve the valuable semi-open and open landscapes. Unfortunately we did not see any of the big animals during our hike. They were hidden deep in the wilderness zone. But we could observe all the more sheep and goats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when we went hiking on the D\u00f6beritzer Heide another time the following year, things looked different: From the observation tower we could watch a small herd of Przewalski horses grazing. They were a bit further away, but even without binoculars you could see the animals very well. Not far away from the observation tower there was another surprise for us. There was a huge bison. He was alone and was not irritated at all by our presence. What an impressive animal! He was very close to the fence and grazed here a few dry stalks. Sometimes he looked up. Then he looked much bigger again. His neck had a short, curly mane and his head was decorated with two horns. I would rather not see them in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Feisty?!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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With the sheep it is more peaceful.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Military Relics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are still traces of the former military use. For example the bunker ruin at the \"Great Desert\" or the better preserved bunker west of the obelisk. Also smaller relics can be found along the way. This makes a hike on the D\u00f6beritzer Heide even more exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The bunker is closed, because it is an important bat quarter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hiking on the D\u00f6beritzer Heide near Berlin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The D\u00f6beritzer Heide is divided into two areas: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Since 2010 there is a 1,860 hectare \"wilderness zone\"<\/strong> n the middle. Among others, bisons, Przewalski horses and red deer live here. However, this zone is bordered by a triple (!) fence and reserved for nature. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The \"nature experience ring zone\"<\/strong>, which covers about 1,800 hectares, has 55 km of hiking trails, several picnic areas and an observation tower (85 metres above sea level). Here sheep and goats are the landscape gardeners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    Excursion D\u00f6beritzer Heide - The fences around the wilderness zone remind a little bit of a high security wing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Below on the map you can see my hiking route through the nature experience ring zone. It started at the entrance of Elstal. First I followed the circular hiking trail around the wilderness zone. It is very easy to find. Because most of the time it runs right next to the fence of the core zone. Over 22 kilometres it leads through different landscapes and you can see everything that the D\u00f6beritzer Heide has to offer. Only for the obelisk and the bunker I made a small detour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n