Lake Schwerin (Schweriner See) is situated in the north of Germany in a county called Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and measures approximately 62 km², which ranks it 4th among the biggest German lakes. Carved out by the glaciers of the Ice Age, it is nowadays a proper paddling ground for sea kayakers.
The vast nature along its shore is a good reason to visit this gem of a lake. A good deal of its shore is accompanied by beech tree forests and floodplain forests that are dominated by alder and ash trees.
In the branches of the trees, you may spot white-tailed eagles. Kingfishers hunt small fishes close to shore. You can listen to the trumpeting sounds of cranes, which usually are hidden in the vast fields of reed that spread over several bays. Spotting them is hard except in migrating time when groups of hundreds pass over the lake frequently.
If you are a fan of culture, you will not be disappointed here either. The Castle of Schwerin is called the Neuschwanstein of North Germany. Built on the remains of an older fortress it was changed over time. Its contemporary face was built in the middle of the 19th century by architect Adolf Demmler with the simplicity of Prussian Neoclassicism and a sense of elegance in mind.
In modern times the castle became the seat of regional parliament. With a kayak, you can paddle around its walls and enjoy the view better than anyone else. Several islands that can be visited by kayak are another reason to cruise here.
Last but not least there are two possibilities to camp in designated places on the islands with your tent. A possibility that is rare in other places in Germany.
When the wind is strong, like in the off-season, you may have the possibility to change from cruising to surfing mode and paddle downwind in steep and powerful waves.
To sum up you will find a good deal of reasons to put your kayak into the water at Lake Schwerin!
