The 2026 cycling season kicks off with an innovative and enjoyable cycling tour in the Oder-Spree lake district: the 'Eagle Meets Zander' tour. This approximately 46-kilometer circular route around Lake Scharmützel and Lake Storkow leads cyclists through a charming landscape. Deep lakes alternate with shallow floodplains, and arid sand meets salt marshes. The route combines nature experiences, scientific insights, traditional fishing crafts, literary references, and regional culinary delights into a unique journey of discovery.
Along the way, the view opens up to wide horizons: to the Märkisches Meer (Lake Märkische), the quiet Groß Schauener lake chain, to a salt meadow, inland dune and bird habitats.
The bike tour offers encounters with the people who care for and shape this landscape: researchers, fishermen, farmers, and conservationists. They explain how sustainable use, ecological management, and centuries-old knowledge work together. Regional culinary delights accompany the entire tour: fresh fish from the lakes and refreshing drinks at locations with stunning views. Whether from piers on the shore, observation towers, or sun terraces, the tour invites you to slow down and experience the region with all your senses.
Augmented Reality brings nature to life
A special feature of the tour is three wooden/metal steles along the route. These are equipped with an information panel and a QR code. By scanning the code, cyclists or walkers can access an augmented reality application via their smartphones. At the Kurfürstensteg footbridge in Bad Saarow, cartoon-like figures greet visitors. A cyclist, a fisherman, and a ranger explain the Ice Age-shaped landscape and inspire exploration.
At the Köllnitz Nature Reserve in Groß Schauen, the AR stele offers insights into the region's long fishing tradition. Users can test their knowledge in an interactive quiz. The third stele, located on the grounds of the Märkisches Meer Hotel Resort in Diensdorf, is dedicated to literature. There, the writers Theodor Fontane and Günter de Bruyn come to life on the smartphone screen.
The application conveys information in a playful way and simultaneously allows users to take photos with the virtual characters to share these moments on social media. The augmented reality features are location-based and require downloading the free "Brandenburg EntdeckAR" app for Android or Apple devices.
Further information about this bike tour and the other stops can be found here: Eagle meets Zander
Statewide pilot project for innovative tourism offers
The AR stations in the Oder-Spree lake district are part of a pilot project by Tourism Marketing Brandenburg GmbH, which is being tested at a total of six locations in the state of Brandenburg. Further AR demonstrators can be found in Eisenhüttenstadt, Eberswalde, Brandenburg an der Havel, Seddin in the Prignitz region, and in the Spreewald forest. The launch of these stations marks the beginning of a one-year test phase in which the use, acceptance, and impact of the AR experiences will be evaluated. Based on these findings, a decision will be made after summer 2026 regarding the potential continuation of the AR platform from 2027 onwards.
The AR demonstrators project is co-financed by the European Union.