This cycling tour is a journey through time in the Oderbruch, one of Germany's most impressive cultural landscapes and Europe's first designated World Heritage Site. Following in the footsteps of Frederick the Great, you can discover how he drained and settled a marshland. This is a full-day tour that leads through the vast fields, to quiet settlement villages, cultural gems, and through the natural beauty along the mighty Oder River.
Start / Finish: Seelow-Gusow train station / Wriezen train station
Length / Duration: 67 km / approx. 4-4,5 hours pure driving time
Character: An extensive but, thanks to the flat terrain, relaxed day trip through the fascinating cultural landscape. The route follows quiet country roads and well-maintained cycle paths.
Course: Seelow, Gusow, Letschin, Neutrebbin, Altlewin, Neubarnim, Neulewin, Neulietzegöricke, Wriezen
Extra tip: Even more insights into the cultural landscape of the Oderbruch and the lives of its inhabitants can be found in the Oderbruch Museum in Altranft.
Arrival / Departure:
Public transport: RB26 to Seelow-Gusow or RB60 to Seelow / From Wriezen RB60 to the starting point or via Eberswalde and RE3 to Berlin
By car: e.g. public parking spaces at the train station in Seelow-Gusow or various options in Seelow
Directions
Frederick the Great's Little Europe
In the 18th century, Frederick II mobilized all his forces to "conquer this province in peace." A water system of canals, pumping stations, and weirs was created, which still functions today. After the land was drained, settlers from many parts of Europe flocked to cultivate the new land and founded planned villages. Thus, a pristine, rugged landscape was transformed into a charming cultural landscape.
To the secret capital of the Oderbruch
The path leads through the typical marshland landscape. You cross the "Alte Oder," one of the original river branches. Soon after, you reach Letschin. The town is closely associated with three famous names: the architect Schinkel, whose church's distinctive tower still stands today; Theodor Fontane, whose family ran the pharmacy; and, of course, Frederick the Great, to whom a monument has been erected here.
New settlers, new names
Beyond Letschin, the history of colonization takes on a linear village character: the route leads through Neu Rosenthal and other "new places" whose names document the resettlement. In Neutrebbin, Frederick the Great and a Schinkel church vie with their Letschin counterparts. Striking rows of trees in the distance hint at the next highlight: the linden avenue in Neubarnim, planted in 1858, is an impressive two kilometers long and a first-class photo opportunity. In Neulewin, the local history museum offers insights into the settlement of the Oderbruch region on weekends.
The oldest colonist village
The route continues to Neulietzegöricke, perhaps the most beautiful and best-preserved colonist village in the region. Designed on the drawing board in 1753, it stretches along a water-filled ditch as a typical linear village. Many of the historic half-timbered houses in "Lietze," as the locals call it, have been lovingly restored and are listed as historical monuments.
The Great River
On a country road, accompanied by the clattering of storks, one approaches the Oder River. Shortly before reaching the dike, an unusual building appears in Zollbrücke: the "Theater am Rand" (Theater on the Edge). Just a few meters further on, the Oder dike is reached. Water level markers at the dike breach serve as a reminder of the 1997 flood. A glance at the gauge on the lockable dike breach makes it clear that the Oderbruch region lies lower than the river even at normal water levels – a reminder of the effort made to reclaim the land and the necessity of flood protection.
From the Europa Bridge to the old fishing town
The Europa Bridge near Neurüdnitz, a former railway bridge, was reopened in 2022 as an almost 900-meter-long panoramic deck for cyclists and pedestrians and is now a cultural heritage site and popular tourist destination. From here, the cycle path leads straight along the old railway embankment to Wriezen.
Our advice: Visit the Seelow Heights Memorial. This commemorates the last battle in Germany in 1945.
Sights:
- Letschin: Old Fritz Monument and Schinkel Tower
- Neutrebbin: Bronze statue of Frederick the Great and Schinkel Church
- Neubarnim; Historic Linden Avenue
- Neulietzegöricke: Colonist Village
- Customs bridge: dike breach
- Europabrücke
- Wriezen: St. Mary's
Refreshment tips:
- Letschin: Treptow Country House
- Altlewin: Gasthaus Zum Alten Fritz
- Zollbrücke: Ziegenhof farm shop, Dammmeisterei restaurant, Zollbrücke inn
- Europabrücke: Oderglück Café (seasonal)
- Wriezen: Ristorante Due Amici
- Pension am Radweg & Ristorante Juani in Wriezen
Information on site:
- Tourist Information Oderbruch and Lebuser Land, Seelow
- Info-Punkt Letschin
Maps / Literature can be ordered via the Seenland Shop
One-day and multi-day tours: Cycling in the Oder-Spree Lake District | Discover the ADFC-certified Oder-Spree Lake District and its most beautiful places on 19 cycling tours.
