Oderbruchbahn Cycle Route - Seelow to Wriezen

Wide open spaces on quiet tracks: a day trip on one of the most beautiful cycle paths east of Berlin.
Where the old Oderbruch Railway ran over 100 years ago, you can now cycle off the beaten track through the expansive landscape. Following the former railway line, you glide effortlessly through the Oderbruch and discover idyllic villages, tranquil natural wonders, and surprising cultural heritage sites. The day's stage from Seelow to Wriezen is an invitation to immerse yourself in this world on a particularly charming section of the 140-kilometer route.

Start / Finish: Seelow train station / Wriezen train station
Length / Duration: 72 kilometers / approx. 5 hours
Logo / route sign: White bicycle on a yellow background, with blue underneath and white tracks on a green background.
Character: A moderate, somewhat longer day trip through the expansive landscape of the Oderbruch region. Thanks to the flat terrain, the ride is effortless on well-maintained cycle paths and quiet side roads, always following the route of the former Oderbruch railway, with some sections directly on the old railway embankment.
Course: Seelow, Friedersdorf, Golzow, Zechin, Kienitz, Groß Neuendorf, Ortwig, Neulewin, Wriezen
Extra tip: Every year on the weekend after Ascension Day, the "Art Loose Days" take place. Artists based in the Oderbruch region open their studios and courtyards to visitors – an ideal opportunity to discover the region's creative side on a bike tour.

Arrival/Departure:
Public transport:
Arrival: To Seelow RB 60
Check out: From Wriezen RB 60

Directions

The Oderbruch Railway
Construction of the Oderbruch Railway began in 1901. Soon, the first trains were rattling between Fürstenwalde/Spree and Müncheberg, and later through the entire Oderbruch region as far as Wriezen. The rail network primarily served to transport agricultural products such as sugar beets and vegetables, as well as products from local factories and distilleries, to Berlin. The railway remained in operation until the mid-1990s.

Down into the Bruch
The tour starts in Seelow and heads south. A striking landmark awaits: the Friedersdorf Art Warehouse. The largest preserved granary in the region has been transformed into a cultural meeting place and now houses exhibitions, a shop, and a restaurant.
Following the route along the old railway line, you reach the edge of the slope that marks the transition from the Lebus Plateau to the Oderbruch plain. The path descends steeply, passing the Mallnower Hänge nature reserve. These species-rich meadows, the result of centuries of grazing, are particularly impressive in spring with the blooming of rare Adonis flowers. From the rest area at the Osterquelle spring, expansive views open up across the Oderbruch.

The Children of Golzow
The route to Golzow leads through small, idyllic villages. The village is inextricably linked to the film project "The Children of Golzow," which is documented in the local museum. This long-term documentary followed a school class for over 45 years, beginning in 1961, through their lives in East Germany and after reunification. The Oderbruch Railway can also be seen in one scene. The original editing room, complete with film reels and DEFA posters, offers insights into the filmmakers' work.

Very close to the great Oder river
Lined with hedges, the path follows the old railway embankment. At the Kienitz harbor, the former railway line, running parallel to the Oder River, is clearly visible. For a break, the traditional Kienitz Inn, located directly at the harbor, and the café in the cycle path church, which serves homemade cakes in a special atmosphere, are ideal. The village of Groß Neuendorf comes into view. The ensemble of warehouses, engine house, and loading tower tells the story of the former freight handling between the harbor and the railway. Today, the renovated cultural harbor houses a hotel, holiday apartments, and historic railway carriages. The conveyor bridge serves as a viewing platform with a sweeping view across the Oder. The village is one of the cultural heritage sites of the Oderbruch region, the first cultural landscape to be awarded the European Heritage Label.
Tip: A short detour leads to the "Haerlem Viewpoint". Information panels commemorate Chief Dike Inspector von Haerlem and the draining of the Oderbruch in the 18th century.

The traces of the colonists
The path along the Oder dike leads through the wide river valley, an important bird sanctuary. Especially in spring and autumn, thousands of geese rest here. A simple bench offers a tranquil view of the Polish bank.
The final leg turns away from the river and leads past the church ruins of Ortwig into the heritage of the colonists. In Neulewin, the foundation stone and local history museum commemorate the arduous lives of the first settlers. The loop closes along the Güstebieser Alte Oder before the tour ends in Wriezen – the former "gateway to the Oderbruch" and northern terminus of the former railway line.

Attractions:
Near Seelow: Friedersdorf Art Depot
Friedersdorf: Easter Spring
Golzow: Film Museum "Children of Golzow"
Kienitz: Kienitz Cycle Path Church
Groß Neuendorf: Groß Neuendorf Cultural Harbor  
Neulewin: Founding stone and local history museum Neulewin
Wriezen: St. Mary's Church, Wriezen

Refreshment tips:
Seelow: Natural food Nussschale
Friedersdorf: Art Storage
Golzow: Wagner Inn
Kienitz: Gasthof Zum Hafen, Café Himmel und Erde
Groß Neuendorf: Tower café in the loading tower
Altlewin: Gasthof zum Alten Fritz
Wriezen: Ristorante Juani

Information on site: 
Tourist Information "Oderbruch and Lebuser Land" eV in Seelow

Maps/Literature:
Cycling brochure "Your bike. Your time out. Your flow.", Online shop Seenland Oder-Spree