Start / Finish: Erkner train station
Length / Duration: 242 kilometers / approx. 5 hours per stage
Logo / route sign: "Nature Park Owl" on a yellow background
Road condition / route development: Mostly paved and predominantly on dedicated cycle paths, partly on quiet side streets. Water features and scenic views!
Course: Erkner, Grünheide, Fürstenwalde/Spree, Berkenbrück, Müllrose, Brieskow-Finkenheerd, Aurith, Eisenhüttenstadt, Neuzelle, Kobbeln, Treppeln, Siehdichum, Mixdorf, Beeskow, Lindenberg, Wendisch Rietz, Storkow, Bad Saarow, Spreenhagen, Hartmannsdorf, Erkner
Arrival/Departure:
Public transport: RE1 or S3 to Erkner
Cars: For example, public parking lots in the starting, finishing or stage towns.
Directions
Episode 1
The tour begins in Erkner, where the Spree River flows idyllically into the Dämeritzsee lake. The route leads through the wooded Grünheide lake district. More than eight lakes are strung together like pearls, inviting visitors with their tranquil shores and secluded swimming spots. Open areas alternate with stretches of forest, and the views are expansive. The route continues briskly past the Trebuser See lake to Fürstenwalde. Thanks to the Spree River, the town was once an important trading center, a fact still evident today in St. Mary's Cathedral, a rich brewing tradition, and the industrial heritage showcased in its museums.
The photogenic flood bridge crosses the Oder-Spree Canal, shortly before its confluence with the Spree River. The Kersdorf Lock marks another highlight. This structure is part of the Oder-Spree Canal, which in 1891 provided a waterway connection between the Oder, Spree, and Berlin for larger ships. The path continues between the canal and the Spree to Neubrück, with its Spree weir and the Neuhaus Lock, complete with a wooden drawbridge.
Episode 2
The route reaches Müllrose, the "gateway to the Schlaubetal." The nature park center offers insights into the region. Along the historic Friedrich-Wilhelm Canal, memories of towboats and kingfisher sightings characterize the landscape, before there's time for refreshments in Brieskow.
Tip: A side trip to Eisenhüttenstadt combines the historic old town of Fürstenberg with the impressive architecture of Germany's first socialist planned city. The "Utopia and Everyday Life" museum offers a deeper look into life in the GDR.
The Oder River offers vastness and tranquility. A longer section follows the Oder-Neisse Cycle Path through the Ziltendorf Lowlands, an important birdwatching area. Neuzelle beckons in the distance, and white-tailed eagles circle overhead.
Episode 3
In Neuzelle, a visit to the monastery, known as a "Baroque marvel," with its collegiate church, "Heavenly Theater" museum, and monastery garden, is highly recommended. The route follows in the footsteps of the monks into the Schlaube Valley, ascends to the Lieberose Plateau, and then descends steeply into the deeply wooded valley below. In Kobbeln, Brandenburg's second-largest glacial erratic marks the way, and the source of the Schlaube River lies at Lake Wirchen. The Försterblick viewpoint offers a breathtaking panorama.
Near Siehdichum, the Schlaubetal valley reveals its fairytale side. Monks once built a hunting lodge on the shores of Hammersee lake. The destination is Beeskow, the "little pearl on the Spree," with its historic town center.
Tip: The old town tour leads through the fishing quarter with its castle, along the medieval city wall to the market, to St. Mary's Church and to the "Oldest House".
Episode 4
From Beeskow, the route continues through the Saarow hills to Lake Scharmützel, Fontane's "Brandenburg Sea." A stop at the Lindenberg Weather Museum is worthwhile before Wendisch Rietz welcomes visitors with its maritime flair and swimming spots. In Storkow, the inland dune offers sweeping views across the lake and surrounding forest.
Tip: Storkow Castle and the weather museum offer deeper insights into nature and history.
Bad Saarow presents itself as a sophisticated spa town with the charm of the 1920s. Alternatively, the SaarowTherme offers relaxation. The route leads via Spreenhagen through the Müggelspree floodplain back to Erkner.
Sights:
- Fürstenwalde: St. Mary's Cathedral, Town Hall, City Museum and Brewery Museum
- Oder-Spree Canal: Kersdorf Lock on the Oder-Spree Canal
- Neubrück: Neubrück Locks
- Müllrose: Müllrose Nature Park House
- Near Müllrose: Friedrich-Wilhelm Canal
- Eisenhüttenstadt: Socialist planned city Eisenhüttenstadt with Museum Utopia and Everyday Life
- Neuzelle: Neuzelle Monastery with collegiate church, baroque garden and Heavenly Theatre Museum
- Kobbeln: Kobbeln boulder
- Beeskow: Historic town center with St. Mary's Church and castle
- Lindenberg: German Weather Museum Lindenberg
- Storkow (Mark): Waltersberge inland dune, castle with nature park center, Köllnitz nature reserve
- Bad Saarow: Bad Saarow villa architecture and SaarowTherme thermal baths
- Grünheide (Mark): Heidereuter Inn at Peetzsee
- Trebus: Restaurant Seeblick
- Fürstenwalde: Zunfthaus 383
- Near Berkenbrück: Spreetal Country Inn, beach idyll
- Müllrose: Haus Katharinensee, Hotel Kaisermühle
- Brieskow-Finkenheerd: Fischer Schneider
- Aurith: Bauernstübchen, Radlerhof
- Eisenhüttenstadt: Restaurant Aktivist, Zum Kietz
- Neuzelle: Prince Albrecht, Wild Monastery Kitchen
- Treppeln: Gasthof Köhler
- Siehdichum: Siehdichum Forestry House
- Beeskow: City Café, Genuss Werk Stadt, cucina verde Burgcafé
- Herzberg: Gasthof Simke
- Wendisch Rietz: Fischhaus Glubigsee
- Storkow: Restaurant Alter Weinberg, Café Burgstübchen
- Bad Saarow: Carpe Diem, amiceria
- Near Spreenhagen: Gasthaus Paesch, Holly's Galerie Café
- Erkner: Camping Jägerbude, Eiscafé Bürgerle, DEKAFFEE-Rösterei
- Episode 1: Stories of lakes and canals on the Oder-Spree tour (km)
- Episode 2: Heading towards the Oder on the Oder-Spree tour (km)
- Episode 3: From Baroque wonder to enchanted valley on the Oder-Spree tour (km)
- Episode 4: From the Märkisches Meer back to the Spree on the Oder-Spree tour (km)
- Cycling brochure "Your bike. Your time out. Your flow.", Online shop Seenland Oder-Spree
