Nature Reserve Guide
Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald is a 171-hectare nature reserve located southwest of Frankfurt (Oder) in Brandenburg, Germany. This protected area, recognized as a Natura 2000 site, features a diverse landscape shaped by its geological history, including an ice-age meltwater channel, extensive mixed oak forests, and the central Fauler See. The varied terrain, with its hilly sections and former military areas, provides an engaging environment for several sports like touring cycling, road cycling, hiking, jogging, and more.
153
Routes
4.5
(383)
Average rating
2337
People visited

4.7
(175)
473
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(5)
74
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(11)
54
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.8
(5)
49
riders
30.9km
01:58
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(4)
80
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
31
riders
68.3km
02:51
340m
340m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(2)
34
riders
26.3km
01:05
110m
110m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
30
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.7
(6)
45
runners
13.9km
01:38
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

36
runners
18.4km
01:55
80m
80m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
36
runners
9.91km
01:03
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
33
runners
10.2km
01:05
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(8)
32
riders
71.3km
03:48
190m
190m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(5)
21
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

22
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.8
(12)
81
riders
69.7km
03:26
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(6)
34
riders
139km
07:29
410m
410m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
50.0km
03:17
250m
250m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
38.4km
02:28
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(2)
23
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.5
(4)
23
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
9
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including touring cycling, road cycling, hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and gravel biking. The nature reserve features 115 routes across these sports. It is a 171-hectare protected area recognized as a Natura 2000 site.
Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald is a popular destination, with more than 2,000 visitors sharing their experiences on komoot. The area's routes have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. There are 115 routes available for various sports.
Yes, easy cycling routes are available. An example is the "Helenesee Main Beach – Finkenheerd Lake loop from Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald," which is 11.2 miles (18.1 km) long. More options can be found in the Cycling in Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald guide.
Popular hiking trails include the "Circular trail around the Faulen See" for leisurely walks and the "Markendorfer Waldrunde" for more challenging routes. The area also features longer routes like the "Forest & Water" long-distance hiking trail. For more details, consult the Hiking in Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald guide.
Yes, the varied terrain of Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald is suitable for mountain biking. Routes like the "Kaisermühle on the Schlaube – Rest area near Schlaubehammer loop" offer moderate difficulty. Further information on trails is available in the MTB Trails in Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald guide.
The reserve features the approximately 10-acre (4-hectare) Fauler See, a nutrient-rich lake with an observation platform for birdwatching. Extensive mixed oak forests, wetlands like the "Kranichkuten," and sand dry grasslands from former military areas are also present. These diverse habitats support a rich biodiversity.
The "Circular trail around the Faulen See" is an easy path suitable for families, offering scenic views. The reserve's diverse trails cater to various fitness levels, including leisurely options. Specific family-friendly routes can be identified by their easy difficulty ratings.
Specific public transport routes directly into the nature reserve are not detailed. However, the reserve is located southwest of Frankfurt (Oder) in Brandenburg, Germany. Visitors typically access the area from nearby towns and cities.
Information regarding specific dog regulations is not provided. Visitors should adhere to general nature reserve rules, which often require dogs to be kept on a leash to protect wildlife and other visitors. Always check local signage upon arrival.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Cycling in Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald, Hiking in Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald, and MTB Trails in Fauler See/Markendorfer Wald. Other guides cover road cycling, running, gravel biking, and easy hikes.
The NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) Regionalverband Frankfurt (Oder) plays a significant role in the protection and management of the area. They have acquired substantial portions of the reserve and serve as a primary contact for information. Their website is nabu-frankfurt-oder.de.
Yes, an observation platform is located at the southeastern end of the Fauler See. This platform allows visitors to observe the lake's wildlife, particularly birds. The varied terrain also offers other scenic spots throughout the forests.
Markendorfer Wald is predominantly covered by extensive, near-natural mixed oak forests. These forests have developed through natural succession since the end of World War II on previously military-used land. Birch and pine trees are also present within the forest mix.

