Today we headed out towards Steglitz/Zehlendorf to visit Schlachtensee, one of Berlin's many lakes that I hear lots about. As we pulled up in front of the main entrance to the lake (just opposite S Bahn Schlachtensee for any of you who would go by train), it looked like we had stepped in to some sort of Canadian scenery. Beautifully epic trees, a gorgeous lake and of course, lots of people enjoying it on a sunny day.
We took the path on the left of the main green in front of the station to find a more secluded spot to bathe in the lake. It wasn't quite what I had expected. The areas where you could clamber in to the lake were steeper than I had imagined and it was quite deep (my five year old was fine in this part but my toddler definitely not). We also were on a path which had a lot of passers by. In the end, we couldn't walk any further though and decided on a nice enough spot to sit. The lake was cold at first but we quickly adapted to the temperature and enjoyed a bit of wading around, playing push the toddler (he loved it. Really!) and my five year old sorted through the rocks and stones he found underfoot, getting gleefully dirty despite the water!
A number of boats passed us by and we were quickly reminded that we were in Germany, when we spotted a couple who were clearly without clothes and blissfully rowing along with their dog taking the lead at the front of the boat.
There are spots along the lake where you can rent boats from. We found one just a bit further from where we ended up resting. They had boats to rent at around €9 per hour and across the river, there was what looked like beautiful spots to sit at and enter the lake from. We didn't have the time to go across on this visit but will make sure to try that in the future as it seemed a little child-friendlier.
There are spots along the lake where you can rent boats from. We found one just a bit further from where we ended up resting. They had boats to rent at around €9 per hour and across the river, there was what looked like beautiful spots to sit at and enter the lake from. We didn't have the time to go across on this visit but will make sure to try that in the future as it seemed a little child-friendlier.
If you fancy a trip there yourself, either take the S Bahn to Schlachtensee station (on the S1 line) or drive to Am Schlachtensee 1, 14129 Berlin. Nearby you can find the Fischerhuette Restaurant with biergarten and a playground and of course, the Green Forest (Grunewald) isn't far either.
Which is your favourite lake in Berlin to visit with the kids? Can you recommend a specific spot to head to when heading to Schlachtensee?
Which is your favourite lake in Berlin to visit with the kids? Can you recommend a specific spot to head to when heading to Schlachtensee?
All photographs @Sarah Winborn Photography
