Markgrafenheide: Beach, Coastal Forest and Nature Trails

Markgrafenheide combines a fine natural beach on the Baltic Sea with the coastal forest of Rostocker Heide and opportunities to experience the landscape actively. When looking for a hotel, these highlights offer a practical starting point: Would you like to spend most of your trip by the water, explore on foot or by bike, or include nature and water sports? The places and activities below can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Baltic Sea Beach and Dune Path

Markgrafenheide has a fine natural beach on the Baltic Sea. The shallow water is also suitable for children; if you are travelling with children, this beach feature is a useful consideration when choosing a destination. At Oststrand – Markgrafenheider Strand, a dune path runs parallel to the water’s edge. This means that this stretch of beach offers both time by the water and a path running along the coast. You can give these two features different priorities depending on your plans for the day.

Coastal Forest and Nature Trails

Just behind the dune at Markgrafenheide, the coastal forest of Rostocker Heide invites you to hike and cycle. In Rostocker Heide, behind the dune, nature trails with activity stations offer a chance to discover local flora and fauna. These trails and stations complement the beach with a focus on nature and outdoor activities. If you do not want to spend your entire trip by the water, hiking, cycling and nature watching offer other themes to include in your plans.

Thalasso Kurweg 3 and “Moor & More”

Thalasso Kurweg 3 leads through the southern part of the “Heiligensee und Hütelmoor” nature reserve. The route includes the “Moor & More” station, with a balance course, information boards and rest areas. The station is also part of the “Biologische Vielfalt” discovery trail, which the city forestry office opened in 2018. When choosing your outings, you can distinguish between the more general nature trails and a named route with a specific station.

Water Sports and Connections

The water sports centre at Strandresort Markgrafenheide offers sailing, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). It operates seasonally, so check before your trip whether the activities you are interested in are available during your travel dates.

Bus connections to Hohe Düne and Rostock vary: Routes 17 and 18 connect Markgrafenheide with the ferry at Hohe Düne; after crossing, you can reach Warnemünde. Bus route 18 also runs directly from Markgrafenheide to Rostock. Check the current timetable before travelling, as transport connections may change.

Rostock as a Separate Focus

Rostock adds a historical dimension to the coastal and nature experience. The city has a history spanning more than 800 years, is one of the traditional Hanseatic cities on the Baltic Sea, and was once an important trading centre in northern Germany. The Hanse Sail Rostock is also an event in Rostock itself: 200 ships take part in one edition, along with cruise ships, ferries and naval vessels. The number may vary from one edition to another. The themes are therefore distinct: Markgrafenheide is defined by its beach, coastal forest and nature trails, while history and the Hanse Sail are associated with Rostock.

Discover more destinations: Amt Bad Doberan-Land, Amt Laage, Amt Neubukow-Salzhaff, Amt Carbäk, Amt Rostocker Heide, Gehlsdorf, Lieblingshof, Sanitz

Back to the main travel overview: Rostock.