The reeds rustle in the wind, sailboats dot the horizon, and a tranquil bustle pervades the water. For over a century, Lake Schwielochsee has been a place of longing, nestled in a wooded, glacial landscape with reed beds, secluded bays, open lake views, and small villages. Those wishing to explore the lake are best advised to hop on a bike in Beeskow, follow the Spree River to the lake, and keep an eye out for the stories along the way, some of which reach as far as Australia – a day trip that prioritizes nature and tranquility over speed.
Start / Finish: Station Beeskow or Markt
Length / Duration: 53 km / approx. 4 - 4,5 hours pure travel time
Logo / route sign: Bicycle wheel bottom right, in the background a blue lake
Character: A moderate day trip through the charming landscape along the Spree River and around Lake Schwielochsee; mostly on paved cycle paths and side roads. Plenty of lake views and swimming opportunities.
Course: Beeskow, Ranzig, Trebatsch, Zaue, Goyatz, Niewisch, Friedland, Beeskow
Extra tip: Binoculars for long-distance views, swimwear in summer
Arrival / Departure:
- Public transport: Take the S-Bahn or regional train to Königs-Wusterhausen, then the RB36 to Beeskow (also from Frankfurt (Oder))
Beeskow with RB36 to Königs-Wusterhausen, then RE2 - Cars: For example, public parking lot near the train station or Fangschleusenstraße on the Löcknitz river.
Directions
Beeskow – where history tells stories
Beeskow welcomes you with its historic old town, almost entirely enclosed by a city wall, topped by the tower of the large St. Mary's Church. On the nearby Spree Island, Beeskow Castle displays its massive walls. Rowboats lie peacefully on the water, and ducks accompany the first few meters along the tranquil Spree with their benign quacking. The Spree Cycle Path leads swiftly south, and soon Ranzig comes into view. Beyond the pine trees, the clear Ranzig Lake beckons for an early morning swim.
The Leichhardt village of Trebatsch
After crossing the Spree River via a bridge, almost everything in Trebatsch revolves around Ludwig Leichhardt. The natural scientist is often referred to as the "Humboldt of Australia." From the banks of the Spree, legendary expeditions later led him to the vastness of the fifth continent, where he disappeared during a crossing in 1848.
Here they say “Beautiful view”
A short climb, then the scene opens up and at the top the Swietenberg reveals the view: bands of light, sailboats, bends in the shore and forest islands on the eastern bank.
And again and again, Australia
Australia remains a quiet companion: at the Ludwig Leichhardt nature campsite in Zau, a group of kangaroos greets visitors on the beach. A little further on, silence descends, for the Romanesque hall church of Zaue, dating from 1420 and later enhanced with Baroque additions, preserves frescoes and a cool tranquility. Below, the dahlia garden completes this gem, where even a "Leichhardt dahlia" blooms.
Life in the water villages
Halfway along the route lies Goyatz on the Kleiner Schwielochsee (Little Schwielochsee). Small marinas, clattering masts and lines in the wind characterize the scenery; occasionally the MS Schwielochsee departs for a round trip, and in the tourist information office in the restored train station with old carriages, the history unfolds, when goods came here via the Oder, Havel and Spree rivers and were transferred to the horse-drawn railway towards Lusatia.
East bank in a quiet rhythm
Small bungalow settlements lie nestled among alder and pine trees on the eastern shore. Information panels in Niewisch describe the nature reserve. Those who wish can sample Schwielochsee eel from the smokehouse of Mario Fischer, an organic farmer and fisherman, or stop at the local inn before the tour leaves the large lake and heads towards Friedland.
Back to Beeskow
Beyond Friedland, an avenue of fruit trees accompanies the path. In Leißnitz, Brandenburg's only hand-operated passenger ferry crosses to Ranzig – a charming shortcut for those who started in Goyatz, or a small spectacle for those watching the crossing of the riverbanks.
Back in Beeskow, the tour finds a beautiful end at the Spreeinsel with its idyllic city harbor.
Our tip: Cross the Spree with Brandenburg's only hand-operated cable ferry between Leißnitz and Ranzig!
Sights:
- Beeskow: historic town center, castle, St. Mary's Church
- Trebatsch: Ludwig-Leichhardt-Museum
- Between Trabatsch and Zaue: Leichhard view from the Swietenberg,
- Zaue: Bathing area at the "Ludwig Leichhard" nature campsite and church in Zaue
- Goyatz: Bathing meadow on the Ludwig-Leichhardt-Ufer, historic Spreewald railway station
- Niewisch: Nature reserve Uferwiesen near Niewisch
- Friedland: Streleburg
- Leißnitz: Hand cable ferry
Refreshment tips:
- Beeskow: City Café, Genuss Werk Stadt, cucina verde Burgcafé, Trattoria Venezia am Spreefer
- Ranzig: Ranzig Country Butcher Shop
- Zaue: Forest Hermitage
- Goyatz: Gasthaus Hafenterrasse
- Niewisch: Schwielochsee Inn
- Friedland: Eiscafé Zucker am Markt in Friedland
- Beeskow city information
- Cycling brochure "Your bike. Your time out. Your flow.", Online shop Seenland Oder-Spree
- One-day and multi-day tours: Cycling in the Oder-Spree Lake District | Get to know the ADFC-certified cycling travel region of the Oder-Spree Lake District with its most beautiful places on 19 bike tours
