Linden trees, bike tours and Spring feelings
Have you ever searched for a place to get away from it all? A small town in the country where the world is still going at a normal pace? Where you can smell the pine trees and hear the birds chirp? I got a secret tip for you. I just hope you´re not afraid to drop off the edge of the earth…
Griese Gegend in the Spring
The small town of Lübtheen, with a population of just over 3000 souls (5000 if you count surrounding villages) is located in an area called Griese Gegend. Legend has it, it was named after the grey, sandy soil covering this land. My favorite time to come here is the Spring and I will tell you why.
The name Lübtheen derives from the Slavic word for linden trees. This time of year the main roads, church square and nearby forests are covered in the young green of these tall standing trees. Along with some flowers planted for color accents and the storch who has his nest overlooking Lindenstreet it combines nature’s best Spring collection.
Small town charme
At the next corner, following the street along the classicist church, you’ll see a darling little shop called ‘Kleines Glück’. Peak in and say hello to the owner, Mareike, she’ll brighten up your day with a good small-town chat! In what used to be the town’s bike shop, she now sells shoes and clothing. Across from her shop, in an old timber house that used to be its first school, is the town museum. Here you can learn about Lübtheen’s history connected to salt mines, the railway, the large trailer manufacturer and much more.
Following the cobble stone road to Probst Jesar, you’ll reach a little lake amid the forest. In the summer, it attracts many swimmers and hobby fishermen. Before all the action starts, it is much more peaceful. There is a path around the lake that makes for a nice 30min hike, or mountain bike ride.
Bike trails in nature
The bike paths around town invite you for rides in nature. This week I saw cranes, bunnies, deer, horses, cows, ducks and several other birds during my 1 hour sunset bike ride. If you’re in for a little day trip on the bike and want to stop for lunch, follow the bike paths to Vielank. I wrote about the brewery with restaurant there in my previous post about Dömitz already. It’s about 10km each way from Lübtheen.
There are many other options, too. The old stately homes in Quassel, Pritzier, Melkof and Goldenitz are within biking distance as well. Some have been renovated to remind us of the glory of times past.
Annual events
If you’re up for more action, you can party at ‘Dorfbums’ or the annual ‘Tanz in den Mai’ dance that takes place on the last day of April to celebrate the arrival of May. For motor biking fans there is a motocross race track with events starting this time of year. And of course, I cannot write about Lübtheen without mentioning its successful wrestling team! If you like sport, watch a fight! They compete against the best, in the national league.
On May 1st, Lübtheen hosts the annual fair ‘Griese Gegend Messe’ where the entire town comes together on the fair grounds to catch up, amongst lawn mowers, tractors and other agricultural exhibitors. I remember the children’s choir singing, ice cream and a dance around the Maypole – where do you get that anymore? 🙂
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