Rostocker Heide (20 km / moderate)

Route
Schnatermann - Postwiese - Radewiese - Torfbrücke beach - Graal - "Rostock-Torfbrücke" (DB)

The Rostocker Heide is a large forest at the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. One of the highlights is the Torfbrücke beach where this forest clashes with the Baltic Sea which is rougher here than at the Schleswig-Holstein coast. I like also very much the huge reed areas along our route.

The idea is not to walk slowly but to take long breaks, maybe one when we reach the beach and another before we leave. Swimming is possible.

The event begins in Warnemünde and ends in Rostock. I suggest to embed this hike in a long weekend from Friday to Sunday at the Baltic Sea. But it is not completely impossible to arrive from Hamburg or/and to return to Hamburg on Saturday. See the accommodation options and the time tables for more information.

In order to give those more time who want to book an accommodation, joining this hike will work as follows:

• The number of participants will be limited to 12.
• First, there will be only a wait list.
• When you have booked something, send me a message and you will be pulled in - up to the limit, regardless of your position on the wait list.
• In June, the remaining spots will be assigned to others already on the wait list.
• After that, still remaining spots will become available for joining as usual.

Please note:

• If you are not at the boat on time, there is no possibility to join the hike.
• With respect to bookings: it cannot be guaranteed that the hike will take place. Of course, it will be cancelled only for a good reason. And I think, even in that case it should be easy to have a nice day there.

Time tables

From Hamburg (individually), covered by Deutschlandticket:

RE 1 (4305)
Nach Rostock Hbf
Ab 6:21 Hamburg Hbf, Gleis 7A-D
An 8:50 Rostock Hbf, Gleis 7

S 1
Nach Warnemünde
Ab 9:08 Rostock Hbf
An 9:30 Warnemünde, Gleis 3

-------------------------------------------------------------

From Hamburg (individually), not covered by Deutschlandticket:

ICE 1678
Nach Bergen auf Rügen
Ab 7:39 Hamburg Hbf, Gleis 13
An 9:32 Rostock Hbf, Gleis 7

S 1
Nach Warnemünde
Ab 9:38 Rostock Hbf
An 10:00 Warnemünde, Gleis 2

----------------------------------------------------------

From Warnemünde (where we meet):

Boat to Schnatermann / Markgrafenheide ("Heiderundfahrt")
11:10 Meeting in front of the boat (see the map)
11:15 Boarding
11:30 Departure
12:15 Arrival at Schnatermann, Rostocker Heide

-------------------------------------------------------------

We return from Graal-Müritz with

RB 12 (13252)
Nach Rostock Hbf
Ab 20:05 Rostock-Torfbrücke, Gleis 1
An 20:30 Rostock Hbf, Gleis 9

----------------------------------------------------------

You might continue individually to Hamburg with

RE 1 (4318)
Nach Hamburg Hbf
Ab 21:08 Rostock Hbf, Gleis 7
An 23:37 Hamburg Hbf, Gleis 8

Accommodation options
A camping site at our destination - optimal location (and one of the rare places where you still might get smoked fish caught in the Baltic Sea):
Ostseecamp Graal-Müritz

A (probably expensive) hotel at our destination - optimal location, very good (and affordable) restaurant:
Waldhotel Graal-Müritz

With one of these options or any other accommodation in Graal-Müritz, you can stay at the beach for the sunset! But check the distance to the next station, if you go by train!

Alternatively, you can stay in Rostock, Warnemünde or between Rostock and Warnemünde along the frequently running S-Bahn. There you can enjoy the city life, the harbor and a nice beach at Warnemünde, too.

Tickets and costs

• 10 € for the boat (cash on the boat)
• RE, RB and S trains covered by Deutschlandticket
• ICE train not covered by Deutschlandticket

Pack list / equipment

• Cash money, in particular for the boat!
• Food and beverages
• I recommend shoes which you can easily put on and off as beach sections will alternate with paths in the forest. Even sandals might be an option (although not ideal for the first part).
• Sun protection
• Maybe an insect repellent
• A towel, if you want to step into the sea
• A swimming suit, if you want