Kleinmachnow: Lock, Village Center and Forest

Kleinmachnow can be discovered from different perspectives: the Machnower Lock and the Teltow Canal, the historic village center, and paths through forests and countryside. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Kleinmachnow, these places can help you plan your trip—whether you are mainly interested in history, culture or outdoor activities.

Machnower Lock and Circular Walk around the Lake

Machnower Lock is the only lock on the Teltow Canal. Its historical significance extends beyond the town: it served as a model for the lock system of the Panama Canal, which was built from 1909 to 1914. Right next to the lock is the Schleusnerbude, an information center about the Teltow Canal, the lock’s special features and the cultural history of the surrounding area.

If you would like to explore Kleinmachnow on foot, the circular hiking trail around Machnower See can serve as a guide. The route passes the foot of the old Neue Hakeburg, goes through the historic village center with its Old Village Church and Medusentor, crosses the Bäketal nature conservation area and continues to Machnower Lock. Water, local history and protected countryside thus lie along a described circular route.

Maps showing signposted hiking routes are available at the lock, at Friedensbrücke and at the entrance to town on Karl-Marx-Straße. If you are planning a specific tour, check in advance whether the maps are available there.

Old Village Center and Cultural Venues

The historic village center, the Old Village, includes the church, the Medusentor and the ruins of the Old Hakeburg. The Medusentor is named after the Medusa’s head on its crown and can still be seen in the village center today. The village church was consecrated in 1597 under the patronage of the von Hake family. Only the cellar vault of the Old Hakeburg remains; it was uncovered in 2003.

Another historic site is the preserved command tower of the former Drewitz East German border crossing. The Checkpoint Bravo association now uses it as an exhibition and event venue. This means that, alongside the architectural and local history of the Old Village, the history of the former border crossing is also a topic in town.

The Neue Kammerspiele operates as a cinema. The building was originally constructed from 1936 to 1938 as a movie theater. Its cultural program includes readings, music and theater events, as well as a varied program for children. When planning your trip, you can include these cultural venues alongside the historic sites and the circular walk.

Forest and Protected Landscapes

Kleinmachnow’s municipal forest is used for walking, jogging and cycling. The forest areas border directly on residential neighborhoods and are mostly accessible via natural paths. This offers a more open way to access forest trails than the specific circular walk around Machnower See: one option takes you through the municipal forest, while the other connects particular places and landscapes along a set route.

Protected areas are also part of Kleinmachnow’s landscape. The Parforceheide nature conservation area runs through the Kleinmachnow municipal district along the Teltow Canal. Since 2018, a 12.88-hectare flora-fauna-habitat area with EU number DE 3645_301 has been located south of the Stolper Weg residential neighborhood. These details give nature enthusiasts different geographic points of reference: the canal bank, the area south of Stolper Weg and the forest areas next to the residential neighborhoods.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Beetzseeheide, Roskow, Michendorf, Kloster Lehnin, Schwielowsee, Glindow, Seddiner See, Bad Belzig.

Go to the main travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.