Mecklenburg Lake District

Mecklenburg Lake District is a lake area with more than a thousand interconnected waters in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, and Schleswig-Holstein. The lakes sit among gentle hills, forests, and meadows, and many are linked by canals or rivers.

Germanic tribes lived in the area until the 7th century, when West Slavic peoples moved in and established settlements. During the Middle Ages, principalities and trade routes formed, shaping the region and giving it the character it still holds today.

The name Mecklenburg comes from the Slavic Mikilenburg, meaning great fortress, a reference to the early settlers who lived here. Along the shores stand old estates and manor houses, now used as hotels or museums, offering visitors a glimpse into the life of the rural nobility.

Those traveling by boat should bring maps of the waterways, as not all lakes have signs and connections between them can be narrow. Along the shores are small docks and villages where you can restock supplies or take a break.

In Müritz National Park, white-tailed eagles and cranes nest, and you can often see them circling over the forests or resting in wetlands. The protected zones allow these birds to nest undisturbed and host migrating species.

Location: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Location: Brandenburg

Location: Schleswig-Holstein

Part of: Northeast German Lake District, Baltic Uplands

Shares border with: Schleswig-Holstein Uplands, Mecklenburgisch-Vorpommersches Küstengebiet, Backcountry of the Mecklenburg Lake District, East Brandenburg Plate, Western Baltic Sea, Oder Valley, Mecklenburg-Brandenburgisches Platten- und Hügelland

GPS coordinates: 53.27500,12.66306

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:44