Germany Guide
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Müritz National Park
Around 30km south of Neubrandenburg, two swathes of forest, heath and moorland that make up the MÜRITZ NATIONAL PARK (Nationalpark Mürtiz) sandwich the Baroque backwater of Neustrelitz. By far the largest area is that to the east of the town, which represents nearly three-quarters of the park's total 322 square kilometres and is characterized by its large pine forests and open moorland, although there are also ancient beech woods in the Serrahn area, whose virgin forest is largely thanks to a former incarnation as the hunting ground of the Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The focus west is water, namely Lake Müritz, the second largest lake in Germany, whose reed-choked east shore falls within the park boundary, and over a hundred smaller lakes that lie east. Not surprisingly, the park is a haven for water birds: ospreys and white-tailed sea eagles breed in the area, and storks and cranes stalk among water lilies in the shallows. Sky-blue moor frogs are usually heard rather than seen among the reeds, while red deer roam the remote woodland areas. The main park office is inconveniently located at Hohenzieritz village, 20km southwest of Neubrandenburg, Schlossplatz 3 ( 
039824/25 20, 
www.nationalpark-mueritz.de ). More accessible is Waren, a slow-paced resort at the lake's north tip. Here, an aquarium and displays on local ecology in the Müritzeum nature discovery centre (daily: April– Oct 10am–7pm; Nov– March 10am–6pm; €7.50; www.mueritzeum.de ) are as good an introduction to the lake as any. Alongside the ubiquitous cruises are a number of motorboat charter operators in Waren; ask at the tourist centre (see below). For many visitors, however, the appeal of the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte (Mecklenburg Lake District) is canoe-and-camp expeditions through the mosaic of lakes west of Neustrelitz. The longest route begins at the Zierker See directly west of Neustrelitz then traces a large U to end at Schillersdorf west, paddling around 15km a day between camps; you need around a week to cover the lot. However, the area abounds in short circuits of two or three days. Leaflets of routes are provided by the many rental outlets in the park, a list of which is on the national park website or can be sourced via the tourist office in Neustrelitz.
Neustrelitz is on train lines from Neubrandenburg and Rostock among others; Waren has direct train services from Rostock. If you come by car, be aware that driving is prohibited within the park area – park bus service Müritz-Linie (€7 bus day-ticket, €14 bus and boat; www.nationalparkticket.de ) loops southwest from Waren to Boek on the east bank of the Müritz lake.
Tourist information centres in the area include: in Waren, Neuer Markt 21 (May– Sept daily 9am–8pm; Oct– April Mon– Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 10am–3pm; 03991/66 61 83, www.waren-tourismus.de ), also sells park maps and can book accommodation in the area, much of it in holiday homes; and at Neustrelitz, Strelitzer Strasse 1 (May– Sept Mon– Fri 9am–6pm, Sat & Sun 9.30am–1pm; Oct– April Mon– Thurs 9am– noon & 1–4pm, Fri 9am– noon; 03981/25 31 19, www.neustrelitz.de ). Other sources of information include the Neubrandenburg tourist office, Mecklenburg Lake District website www.mecklenburgische-seenplatte.de , and regional web portal Müritz Online, www.mueritz.de .
Among canoe and camping operators are: Haveltourist ( 03981/247 90, www.haveltourist.de ), which offers combination rental-and-camp deals in its nine campsites throughout the area from a base at Havelberge Camping and Holiday Resort, 5km southwest of Neustrelitz near Gross Quassow; Kanu Mühle ( 039832/203 50, www.kanu-muehle.de ) two train stops from Neustrelitz in Wesenburg; and Kanustation Mirow ( 039833/22 098, www.kanustation.de ), four stops from Neustrelitz. All offer guided tours on request. Note that most outfits only operate from April to October and that camping is strictly in designated sites only.