Stadtpark Rotehorn (Magdeburg)

Begin at the island end of the Sternbrücke. Follow Heinrich-Heine-Weg southeast, then the connecting park path northeast to the southern end of Adolf-Mittag-See E. Follow the western lakeside north towards the boat-hire area. Pause for a view of Marieninsel F and the temple across the water; crossing the island’s bridges is not part of this walk.

The route avoids the island bridges, but the open approach near Heinrich-Heine-Platz should be checked during construction. Ask for a suitable main-path alternative if a diversion is too rough or narrow for your wheelchair or pushchair.

From the island end of the Sternbrücke, turn south onto the public riverbank path. Continue along the western edge past the Godehardt-Teich area G, then round the southern riverbank past the Buckau ferry landing. Follow the bank-side path towards Salzquelle K and Niemeyer-Denkmal L at the Rotehornspitze. Stay outside the Fort XII grounds and do not board the ferry.

This is a longer riverside outing rather than a certified accessible circuit. It avoids the Scherbelsberge hill paths, but exact bank-path gradients and any temporary barriers are not documented. Turn back earlier if conditions or energy call for it.

Choose leaves that you can see from a path and compare their outlines: a horse chestnut’s spreading leaflets, a lime’s heart shape and a hawthorn’s smaller leaves. Photograph them still attached, then add a picture of each whole tree. If you cannot settle a name, keep the photo as a question for later.

Let the lake walk be the exploring part of the day and keep the playground as a separate reward. The plan marks play near the tower and another area around the Scherbelsberge. Check the actual approach before choosing one during construction. A picnic on an open lawn gives everyone a chance to decide whether another walk is still appealing.

In a passing shower, shorten the visit and use an open restaurant if convenient. For steady rain, choose a separate indoor activity in Magdeburg rather than relying on park buildings as shelters. The tower is closed during 2026, and the Stadthalle is part of the construction setting. Strong wind is a reason to postpone the tree-lined walks.

Look for leaves spreading like a hand, with several broad leaflets attached at one point. In spring, upright white flower clusters offer another clue; in autumn, photograph conkers where they lie and leave them for others to notice. Do not eat them.

Compare its small, heart-shaped leaves with the horse chestnut’s much larger divided ones. If a low leaf is visible from the path, look underneath for rusty-coloured hairs where veins meet. A close photograph and a whole-tree view make a useful pair.

Pause beside a thorny tree or shrub and look before touching. Spring flower clusters and autumn haws can be good photographic details, but keep to the path and leave berries on the branches. The park has planted more than one kind of hawthorn, so avoid naming every specimen from a single leaf.

Spend a quiet moment looking over the water from a public path. A glimpse of a swimming beaver would be a bonus, but do not wait beside a shelter, enter the bank vegetation or try to bring one closer with food. Let the riverbank remain a place where animals can pass undisturbed.

On a warm river walk, watch any dragonfly that settles within view of the public path. Photograph it from where you are without chasing or catching it. Different river dragonflies can look similar, so keep an uncertain identification open rather than relying on colour alone.

Treat this as an animal to give space, rather than one to seek out for a photograph. If a boar appears, stop approaching, keep children and dogs close, and move away calmly. Never get between adults and young or leave the path to follow them.

The park has benches, playgrounds and places to eat, but it is sensible to carry water and a snack. The accessible toilet listed near the tower may be affected by work around the building. Check the current situation with Magdeburg Tourist Information before visiting if that facility is essential. Seasonal boat hire is an extra for a later visit once reopening is confirmed.

Bus 59 still serves the Stadtpark during its diversion, but its other terminus is Porsestraße and it no longer reaches the ZOB. The published diversion runs from 12 September until provisionally 4 December 2026. Between 17 October and 1 November, city-centre tram routes change extensively as well. Replacement bus 46 and the extended 51 connect Hauptbahnhof with Zollbrücke and Heumarkt; reaching the park from those stops adds a separate approach walk. Use MVB’s current planner for the most suitable connection and check the way home before setting off.