How to get to the mountains:
- gravel fun: in addition to asphalted cycle paths, around a third travel on gravel, forest and forestry paths
- Aiming high: to the Rauener Mountains and enjoy the fantastic mountain panorama from almost 200m above sea level
- Power place: marvel at the largest boulders in Northern Germany
- Naturally: explore the Waltersberge inland dune in the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park
Start: Fürstenwalde train station
Objective: Storkow train station
Length: 38,1 km / approx. 2,5 hours
Public transport: RE1 to Fürstenwalde (Spree)
Departure public transport: RB36 from Storkow to Königs Wusterhausen, then RE2, RB24 or S46 to Berlin
Start in the cathedral city of Fürstenwalde
After a short train ride, your tour starts in Fürstenwalde an der Spree. It first heads towards the city center. We can recommend a short detour to the city's landmark. St. Mary's Cathedral is one of only two cathedral buildings in the state of Brandenburg and can be visited.
You follow the Spree cycle path towards Berlin and you quickly get out into nature by the water. At the old branches of the Fürstenwalder Spree it sometimes looks like the Amazon. Then you leave the asphalt cycle path and head along the gravel track towards Große Tränke. Here the Spree splits into the Oder-Spree Canal and the natural Müggelspree.
Good luck in Rauen
After crossing the river, you arrive in the former mining village of Rauen. Brown coal was mined underground in old tunnels in the Rauen Mountains, as the information boards on the historic wagons tell us. Today, the place is famous as a hiking area, for its bakery and the ice cream oasis.
On to the mountain stage with a view
From Rauen, the route goes into the Rauen Mountains. The mountain stage with gradients of up to 12% will challenge you, we promise! The climb over the asphalted northwest driveway to the highest point of the Rauen Mountains is unique in Brandenburg. Add the 209 steps of the observation tower on top and you have your perfect high-altitude flight. The view from almost 200m up is definitely worth it. A low mountain-like landscape opens up here and you can look down on the large Scharmützelsee, the Märkisches Meer. Signposts tell you what you can see on the horizon: if the visibility is good, you can see as far as Berlin and the TV tower.
Just a few meters further on there is the next superlative. The Markgrafensteine are an impressive natural monument and have been designated as a national geotope. The glaciers of the last ice age pushed them onto the Rauen Mountains. You won't find any larger boulders in all of northern Germany.
flying visit to Bad Saarow
After the pass over the mountains, the route continues down towards Bad Saarow on forest and woodland paths. It is also worth stopping at Scharmützelsee. You can take a break in the beer garden with a view of the lake or simply watch the maritime hustle and bustle at the harbor. There is a holiday atmosphere here.
In the flow through the forest and to the inland dune
You now follow the Oder-Spree Cycle Route towards Marienhöhe and Kolpin. The idyllic Großer Kolpiner See (Great Kolpin Lake) lies nestled in the forest. This clear, rarely visited lake with natural swimming spots is a hidden gem. Relaxed campers wave from the shore. Once again, you leave the usual cycle paths and turn into the forest onto a forest track, initially marked with a yellow stripe on a white background. You glide effortlessly along this narrow forest road, making good time. The pine cones simply slide away beneath your tires.
Just before Storkow, there is a rarity to see on the Waltersbergen. Park your bike for a moment. An adventure trail provides information about the almost 70m high inland dune, which was created by winds after the last ice age. Unique in Germany. The landscape with gnarled pines and open sandy areas and the view from the very top to Lake Storkow is worth the effort of your climb.
tour finale at Storkow Castle
After your trip to the desert, treat yourself to a homemade lemonade at the nearby restaurant by the vineyard. If that's not enough, you can also cool off at the Storkow lido on Lake Storkow.
In the heart of Storkow, the over 800-year-old, reconstructed Storkow Castle shines in new splendor. Here, in the historic ambience of the castle, you can find out information and stories about the natural and cultural landscape in the nature park's visitor center. Or end the day in one of the cafés and restaurants around the wooden drawbridge and the tranquil market.
Plan your late-riser bike tour over the Rauen Mountains now!
Extra gravel tips:
- Watch out for hikers on forest and field paths! Show consideration for one another and everyone will be relaxed!
- Bike with slightly wider tires from 30cm width recommended (normal touring bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes...)
- Please note the limited capacity of regional trains for transporting bicycles
- Tips for taking your bike with you from the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association
- Fürstenwalde: Zunfthaus 383, Schukurama, Blue Ice Café
- Rauen: Bäckerei Buchholz, Eisoase
- Bad Saarow: beer garden at Scharmützelsee
- Storkow: Restaurant am Weinberg, Altstadtcafe with homemade ice cream, Café Burgstübchen and other offers
