Bad Freienwalde (Oder): Culture, Trails and Nature

If you are looking for a hotel in Bad Freienwalde (Oder), the focus of your trip may influence your choice of location: historic buildings sit alongside hiking and nature attractions, as well as sports. The sights range from the castle ensemble and churches to observation towers. To plan your trip, it may be helpful to first choose the places you are especially interested in visiting, and then compare suitable accommodation offers.

Castles and churches

Sights in Bad Freienwalde include Freienwalde Castle and its adjoining castle park. After a complete restoration, the Bismarck Tower reopened to visitors in 1995. Neuenhagen Castle adds a distinctive architectural history to the historic destinations: the von Uchtenhagen noble family built it in 1575 as a so-called “fortified house.” The term refers to a transitional form that appeared in the 16th century, between the medieval noble castle and the later castle-like manor house.

The churches also reveal traces of different periods. St. George’s Church was built in 1696 and has served as a concert hall since 1986. At the town church of St. Nicholas, the red Gothic brick walls partly rest on fieldstones from the predecessor building, which was constructed in the 13th century. The year of construction and later use for concerts shape the impression of St. George’s Church; at St. Nicholas, the older building history is partly visible in the fieldstones in the walls.

Hiking, parks and nature

The tower hiking trail connects four observation towers and several viewpoints over twelve kilometres along the Barnim ridge. Since 2005, it has formed part of the Oderland Trail; the route is listed as having a total elevation gain of 490 metres. The distance and elevation gain describe different aspects of the hike and help you factor its scale into your plans.

Lake Baa-See lies near the Sonnenburg district of Freienwalde, covers about 3.5 hectares and is surrounded by woodland consisting mostly of beech and oak trees. You can reach it on foot via the Siebenhügelweg or Brunnentalweg trails. The Kurfürstenquelle spring lies at the edge of the spa park, which is bordered by the spa treatment centre and Papenteich pond. The nature and park attractions each have a different local focus: the lake’s approximate area and surrounding woodland, and the spring’s location in the spa park.

The moor experience garden in the Mühlenfließ floodplain adds activities that let you explore with your feet: on a Kneipp path, you can wade barefoot through cold water, and there is also a mini barefoot trail. Children can also enjoy a barefoot water playground there. Each feature offers a different experience: cold water, a short barefoot trail and water play for children.

Sports and cycling routes

Regular competitions, including international events, are held at the four ski jumps, K10, K20, K40 and K60. Various cycling routes intersect in the spa town of Bad Freienwalde. Sports and cycling thus complement the selection of historic buildings, hiking trails and nature experiences when you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Märkisch-Oderland: Literature in Buckow

Those who broaden their view to the wider destination of Märkisch-Oderland will find a distinct literary focus in Buckow: the Brecht-Weigel House has been a museum there since 1977. The literary museum hosts readings, concerts, talks, discussions, film screenings, exhibitions and special guided tours throughout the year; individual offerings vary. Cultural attractions thus range from the historic buildings in Bad Freienwalde to literature and events across the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Hohensaaten, Sietzing, Groß Neuendorf, Neulewin, Wriezen, Wilkendorf, Lietzen, Diedersdorf.

Go to the main travel overview: Märkisch-Oderland.