Address

Start of tour

Bahnhof
Bahnhofstraße 15
15537 Erkner

End of tour

Bahnhof
Bahnhofstraße 15
15537 Erkner

Contact address

Seenland Oder-Spree e.V.
Ulmenstraße 15
15526 Bad Saarow

Oder-Spree-Tour (cycling)

Bike tours

Length: 237 km

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Bike tours

Length: 237 km

This large circular route connects the rivers that give it its name to create a varied cycling experience: enjoy lake views, climb gentle hills, explore meadows and stream valleys – and discover stories time and again when you dismount in historic towns and charming villages. The approximately 240 km can be easily divided into four sections: these can be combined into a multi-day trip or, thanks to good rail connections, as day trips from Berlin.

Start / finish: Erkner railway station

Length / duration: 237 kilometres / approx. 5 hours per episode

Logo / route markings: ‘Nature park owl’ on a yellow background

Route conditions / route layout: Largely asphalted and mainly on separate cycle paths, partly on side roads with little traffic. Plenty of water and great views!

Route: 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
Car: E.g. public car parks at the start, end or stage locations

Directions

Episode 1

The tour starts in Erkner, where the Spree flows idyllically into Lake Dämeritz. The route leads through the wooded Grünheider Seenreich lake district. More than eight lakes are strung together like pearls, inviting visitors with their quiet shores and hidden bathing spots. Open spaces alternate with forest passages, and the view is characterised by vastness. The route continues briskly past Lake Trebus to Fürstenwalde. Thanks to the River Spree, the town was an important trading centre, as evidenced today by St. Mary's Cathedral, a rich brewing tradition and industrial culture in museums.

The photogenic flood bridge crosses the Oder-Spree Canal shortly before it joins the River Spree. The Kersdorf lock marks another highlight. The structure is part of the Oder-Spree Canal, which in 1891 enabled larger ships to navigate between the Oder, Spree and Berlin. Between the canal and the Spree, the route continues to Neubrück with its Spree weir and Neuhäuser lock, complete with a wooden bascule bridge.

Episode 2

At Müllrose, the route reaches the ‘gateway to the Schlaubetal valley’. The nature park visitor centre provides insights into the region. Along the historic Friedrich Wilhelm Canal, memories of towboats and sightings of kingfishers characterise the landscape before it's time for refreshments in Brieskow.

Tip: A detour to Eisenhüttenstadt connects the historic old town of Fürstenberg with the impressive architecture of Germany's first socialist planned city. The ‘Utopia and Everyday Life’ museum provides an in-depth look at life in the GDR.

The Oder river opens up to reveal vastness and tranquillity. A longer section follows the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route through the Ziltendorf lowlands, an important bird watching area. Neuzelle greets you from afar, sea eagles circle overhead.

Episode 3

In Neuzelle, it is worth visiting the monastery known as the ‘Baroque Wonder’ with its collegiate church, ‘Heavenly Theatre’ museum and monastery garden. The route follows in the footsteps of the monks into the Schlaubetal valley, climbs up to the Lieberoser Platte plateau and descends energetically into the densely wooded valley. In Kobbeln, Brandenburg's second largest boulder marks the way, and the source of the Schlaube river is located at Wirchensee lake. The Försterblick offers an impressive view.

Siehdichum shows off the fairytale side of the Schlaubetal valley. Monks once built a hunting lodge on Lake Hammersee. The destination is Beeskow, the ‘little pearl on the Spree’, with its historic town centre.

Tip: The old town tour takes you through the Fischerkietz district with its castle, along the medieval city wall to the market square, St. Mary's Church and the ‘oldest house’.

Episode 4

From Beeskow, the route continues through the Saarow hills to Lake Scharmützel, Fontane's ‘Märkisches Meer’ (Markish Sea). It is worth stopping at the Lindenberg Weather Museum before Wendisch Rietz welcomes you with its maritime flair and bathing spots. In Storkow, the inland dunes offer sweeping views of the lake and forest landscape.

Tip: Storkow Castle and the weather museum provide deeper insights into nature and history.

Bad Saarow is a sophisticated spa town with the charm of the 1920s. Alternatively, the SaarowTherme offers relaxation. Via Spreenhagen, the route leads through the Müggelspree floodplain back to Erkner.

Sights:

Fürstenwalde: St. Mary's Cathedral, Town Hall, Town Museum and Brewery Museum
Oder-Spree Canal: Kersdorf Lock on the Oder-Spree Canal
Neubrück: Neubrück Locks
Müllrose: Müllrose Nature Park Centre
Near Müllrose: Friedrich Wilhelm Canal
Eisenhüttenstadt: Socialist planned city of Eisenhüttenstadt with Museum of Utopia and Everyday Life
Neuzelle: Neuzelle Monastery with collegiate church, baroque garden and Museum of Heavenly Theatre
Kobbeln: Kobbeln boulder
Beeskow: Historic town centre with St Mary's Church and castle
Lindenberg: German Weather Museum Lindenberg
Storkow (Mark): Waltersberge inland dunes, castle with nature park centre, Köllnitz nature reserve
Bad Saarow: Bad Saarow villa architecture and SaarowTherme spa

Refreshment tips:

Grünheide (Mark): Heidereuter inn on Lake Peetz
Trebus: Seeblick restaurant
Fürstenwalde: Zunfthaus 383
Near Berkenbrück: Spreetal country inn, Strandidyll
Müllrose: Haus Katharinensee, Hotel Kaisermühle
Brieskow-Finkenheerd: Fischer Schneider
Aurith: Bauernstübchen, Radlerhof
Eisenhüttenstadt: Restaurant Aktivist, Zum Kietz
Neuzelle: Prinz Albrecht, Wilde Klosterküche
Treppeln: Gasthof Köhler
Siehdichum: Forsthaus Siehdichum
Beeskow: Stadtcafé, Genuss Werk Stadt, cucina verde Burgcafe
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 coffee roastery

Combination options (the tour can be divided into four episodes and can also be cycled as a day trip):

Episode 1: Lakes and canal stories on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)
Episode 2: Towards the Oder on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)
Episode 3: From baroque wonders to enchanted stream valleys on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)
Episode 4: From the Märkisches Meer back to the Spree on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)

Maps/literature:

Cycling brochure "Dein Rad. Deine Auszeit. Dein Flow.", Online shop Seenland Oder-Spree (available in German and Polish)

Public transport: RE1 or S3 to Erkner
Car: E.g. public car parks at the start, end or stage locations

Fürstenwalde: St. Mary's Cathedral, Town Hall, Town Museum and Brewery Museum
Oder-Spree Canal: Kersdorf Lock on the Oder-Spree Canal
Neubrück: Neubrück Locks
Müllrose: Müllrose Nature Park Centre
Near Müllrose: Friedrich Wilhelm Canal
Eisenhüttenstadt: Socialist planned city of Eisenhüttenstadt with Museum of Utopia and Everyday Life
Neuzelle: Neuzelle Monastery with collegiate church, baroque garden and Museum of Heavenly Theatre
Kobbeln: Kobbeln boulder
Beeskow: Historic town centre with St Mary's Church and castle
Lindenberg: German Weather Museum Lindenberg
Storkow (Mark): Waltersberge inland dunes, castle with nature park centre, Köllnitz nature reserve
Bad Saarow: Bad Saarow villa architecture and SaarowTherme spa

Refreshment tips:

Grünheide (Mark): Heidereuter inn on Lake Peetz
Trebus: Seeblick restaurant
Fürstenwalde: Zunfthaus 383
Near Berkenbrück: Spreetal country inn, Strandidyll
Müllrose: Haus Katharinensee, Hotel Kaisermühle
Brieskow-Finkenheerd: Fischer Schneider
Aurith: Bauernstübchen, Radlerhof
Eisenhüttenstadt: Restaurant Aktivist, Zum Kietz
Neuzelle: Prinz Albrecht, Wilde Klosterküche
Treppeln: Gasthof Köhler
Siehdichum: Forsthaus Siehdichum
Beeskow: Stadtcafé, Genuss Werk Stadt, cucina verde Burgcafe
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 coffee roastery

Combination options (the tour can be divided into four episodes and can also be cycled as a day trip):

Episode 1: Lakes and canal stories on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)
Episode 2: Towards the Oder on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)
Episode 3: From baroque wonders to enchanted stream valleys on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)
Episode 4: From the Märkisches Meer back to the Spree on the Oder-Spree Tour (km)

Maps/literature: