Berlin: Havel, Oder and Spree round trip

Havel, Oder and Spree landscapes

On nice bike trails around Berlin.

Let the beautiful surroundings of Berlin and the way the splendidly constructed bike trails encircle the federal capital impress you. We tested the route for you to compose a worthwhile mix of the newly-built trails. The region Berlin-Brandenburg is very rich of water plains and forests, which makes of the roundtrip of 350km length a unique experience very close to nature. You will cycle through the Schorfheide (one of the largest cohesive woodlands in Germany) to the second deepest and surely most beautiful lake of Brandenburg, the Werbellinsee, to continue across the impressive landscape of the Oderbruch. The gentle hills of the Mark Brandenburg will lead you to the Müggelsee, the biggest lake of Berlin. The dreamlike landscape around the castle of Oranienburg where an electress used to reside, the Cistercian monastery in Chorin and the lift lock in Niederfinow, known as a masterpiece of constructional engineering. On this tour, you will get to know the Havel bike trail, the Oder-Neiße-bike trail, the trail of the Oderbruch-railway, Europe’s R1 bike trail and the Berlin Wall bike trail. The paths are mostly paved, well signposted and often off the country roads; short sections run on cobblestone or sand. Except for a few hills on the edge of the Oderbruch or in Märkische Schweiz, the route is mostly flat and is ideally suited for all cycling enthusiasts with a normal level of fitness.

1. day Arriving in Potsdam

Look forward to the former Prussian residence city of Potsdam. It is characterized by unique palaces and gardens along the Havel: Sanssouci, Neuer Garten, Babelsberg, Glienicke, Pfaueninsel and Sacrow have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1990.

Arrival to Potsdam main station / parking lot at the hotel / rental bikes at the hotel.

2. day Potsdam – Oranienburg, approx. 76 km

In Potsdam you cycle through the city center first to the historic Glienicke Bridge and from here you follow the "Berliner Mauerweg" cycle path to the banks of the lake Großer Wannsee. Always close to the shore, you roll comfortably on the Havel cycle path to the old town of Spandau with the citadel and the Gatower post mill.

Continue on the well-developed Havel cycle path via Hennigsdorf and Birkenwerder to your destination of the day, Oranienburg, with the renovated castle and the restored park. Since the State Horticultural Show in 2009, the dream landscape of Electress Louise Henriette von Oranien has shone in new splendor and is worth a nice tour at the end of the day.

3. day Oranienburg - Werbellinsee, approx. 52 km

The very well implemented bike trails will lead you along the waterside and through the Schorfheide today. past the Langer Trödel (area of stagnant water, no longer navigable today) to the watergate of Zerpenschleuse, past the Finow-channel to Marienwerder and finally to the Werbellinsee. The untouched landscape is sparsely populated and offers plenty of space for small discoveries: the local history museum in the former city prison of Liebenwalde, the boatmen's houses on the 400-year-old Finow Canal and last but not least the Neo-gothic village church that seems much too big for Marienwerder. The day ends at the hotel right by the shore of the Werbellinsee, in the middle of this wonderful nature.

4. day Werbellinsee - Oderberg/Hohenwutzen, 53/63 km

The first few kilometres of the day lead past the crystal clear Werbellinsee, measuring up to 55 metres in depth, to Joachimstal. This is where Emperor Wilhelm II. had a unique train station constructed in Norwegian country house- style so that he could travel into the Schorfheide to go hunting more comfortably. Today, the Emperor’s station has been redone to shine in its former glory again. Not far from here, a wide viewing platform allows enjoying a spectacular panorama view over the biosphere reservoir of Schorfheide-Chorin. Through a beautiful landscape, you will continue along the Grimnitzsee to Chorin, where a short side trip of 3 km to the Cistercian monastery of Chorin is a worthwhile idea. From here, the Mönchsheide, an almost deserted strip of land, leads to the lift lock of Niederfinow. It is the oldest one of its kind in Germany that is still active today. Overnight stay in Oderberg or Hohenwutzen directly on the Oder River.

5. day Oderberg/Hohenwutzen - Buckow, 55/45 km

Today you will experience a completely different landscape! The Oderbruch and the Oder form a unique natural landscape in Europe. By 1762, the inland delta of the Oderbruch, formed in the Weichselian glaciation, was drained under the Prussian King Friedrich II and settled with newly built street villages as planned. You follow the river for a few kilometers on the Oder-Neisse cycle path directly on the Oder dike. Here you will experience a breathtaking, extremely sparsely populated landscape on the border with neighboring Poland. Following a closed down railway line, you will then cycle further inland to Wriezen before you follow the long-distance track (Radfernweg) Brandenburg through the hilly Märkische Schweiz. In the afternoon you can look forward to the small SPA- town of Buckow with its remarkable Brecht-Weigel-Haus at the Schermützelsee.

6. day Buckow - Müggelsee, approx. 47 km

From Buckow, the pearl of Märkische Schweiz, you cycle through many small villages to Rüdersdorf near Berlin. Take a short detour to the Museum Park Rüdersdorf, which tells the story of lime mining. Visit the former furnaces and transport facilities and see how the old industrial plants worked. The "Gerhard-Hauptmann-Stadt" Erkner with its interesting museum and the Müggelsee is now quickly reached. Look forward to your hotel by the lake, where you can enjoy the beautiful idyll in the Biergarten at the end of the day.

7. day Müggelsee - Potsdam, approx. 62 km

From the Müggelsee you cycle right through the forest to the Müggelturm tower, which offers you a fantastic view over the greenest district of Berlin. A small ferry (not included) takes you from Wendenschloss over the Dahme to Grünau, where you will come across the Berlin Wall Trail a short time later.

Follow this along the southern outskirts of Berlin on the trail of the more recent german history and come across many commemorative plaques and memorials. On the Teltow Canal you continue via the former Dreilinden checkpoint to Babelsberg and there along the famous film park to the historic city center of Potsdam and on to the starting point of your tour.

8. day Leaving Potsdam

Your lovely roundtrip around Berlin and Potsdam ends after breakfast at the hotel.

Worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the bike tour: "On new bike trails around Berlin". If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Potsdam is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. Our partner hotels are all within walking distance of several stations in Potsdam. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: www.bahn.de.

Train schedule information

Parking facilities at the hotel

Our partner hotels provide parking possibilities for the entire duration of your bike trip. The costs are between 8,00 Euro and 18,00 Euro per day (2023), payable locally. A reservation is not possible. Detailed information on parking at your hotel, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure.

Condition of cycle paths

In this bicycle journey "on new bike trails around Berlin" you cycle on a variety of different bike paths and small side streets. The selected cycle routes have been created or paved within the last years and therefore of the highest quality. But there are also short passages of dirt road, the route is mostly flat. On day 4 and day 5 in the Schorfheide and the Märkischen Schweiz there are some hilly sections. The selected trails are well signposted and the route is signposted throughout with additional Velociped stickers (white V on green background).

Available rental bikes

If you choose to rent a Velociped-rental bike for the tour, we take it to your first hotel and pick it up at your destination. You can choose between woman’s and men's bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 27-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. All ladies' bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier. The bikes are suitable for all ladies from 150 cm in height and for all gentlemen from 165 cm in height. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Velociped rental bikes

Coasts which are not included in the travel price

A possibly resulting tourist tax, all boat trips and ferry rides are not part of the travel price and therefore it has to be paid locally.

7 days hotline service

In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

Passport and visa requirements

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

City of Potsdam

A walk through the times is a stroll through Potsdam's inner city. Those arriving by boat or by train arrive at the birthplace of the city: at the Alter Markt. Here, on the site of the oldest Potsdam bridge across the Havel River, a fortress stood in the early Middle Ages to secure an important trade route.

Potsdam

The Dutch Quarter in Potsdam

Right next to the former French Quarter is the Dutch Quarter. 134 red Dutch houses in 4 carts were built by the architect Jan Bouman from 1732 on the orders of the soldier king in Potsdam. The complex, which is part of the Second Baroque City Extension, represents the largest closed Dutch building complex outside the Netherlands.

Dutch Quarter

Filmpark Babelsberg

Directly at the gates of Berlin, the Filmpark Babelsberg invites you to a world of film and television. Everything relating to film production is on display for visitors: sets, props, costumes and technical equipment, both new or from the past. In the Dream Workers ateliers, set painters, stuccoers, make-up artists and costume designers give exclusive insight into their work and show how perfect illusions are created.

Filmpark Babelsberg

Palaces and Gardens in Potsdam

Over a period of more than three centuries, the best architects, landscape planners and artisans of their time were commissioned by the Brandenburg-Prussian rulers.

Palaces and Gardens in Potsdam

Cecilienhof Palace in Potsdam

Cecilienhof is the castle, from 17 July to 2 August 1945 the Potsdam conference of the victorious powers of the Second World War took place. It is the last palace building of the Hohenzollerns. Emperor Wilhelm II had Cecilienhof built from 1914 to 1917 for his eldest son Crown Prince Wilhelm and his wife Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in the north of the New Garden. The architect was Paul Schultze-Naumburg, who was inspired by the English Tudor style. The castle, built of brick and wood, fits well into the natural environment. The castle now houses a hotel. In the museum one can find out about the Potsdam Agreement and the changing history of the house.

Cecilienhof Palace

The Old Town of Spandau

The urban outline of Spandau was already developed in the 13th century and can still be traced back to the old town. The structure of buildings has constantly changed over the centuries as a result of fires, wars, and demolitions. Rebuilding after the Second World War greatly affected the original structure of the cultural heritage. Despite this development, building types of the different building periods have been preserved. In their totality, they form the typical small-town mix that documents the history of several centuries and the location of Spandau between the provinces and the city.

The Old Town of Spandau

Spandau Citadel

Spandau Citadel is considered the best preserved Renaissance fortification in northern Europe. There has been a fort on this site since the 11th century. Completed in 1230, the Julius tower is one of the oldest surviving structures in Berlin. The citadel's current exterior was created at the end of the 16th century by Italian architects. Today, it is open to the public.

Spandau Citadel

St. Nikolai Church Spandau

The St. Nikolai Church, completed in the 15th century, is one of the few architectural examples from the Middle Ages. It is the urban center of the old town and its tower characterizes the Spandau town silhouette.

St. Nikolai Church Spandau

Oranienburg Palace

The oldest baroque castle of the Mark Brandenburg (from 1652) lies in the historical center of Oranienburg directly on the Havel river. It goes back to a country seat, erected for the first wife of the Grand Elector, Louise Henriette, the Princess of Orange, from 1651 onwards. Her son, the later King Friedrich I, extended the castle from 1689 and equipped it splendidly. Around 1700, Oranienburg Palace was regarded as the most beautiful castle in the Prussian monarchy.

Oranienburg Palace

Chorin Monastery

The Chorin monastery, a former Cistercian abbey, is located near the village of Chorin, about six kilometers north of Eberswalde. The monastery was founded in 1258 by askan margraves and has a far-reaching significance on the edge of the influence of the Askanians in the north to the Slav border. Although the abbots were able to steadily increase their influence and land ownership until the late 15th century, the secularization of the monastery took place as early as 1542. After secularization, the monastery was abandoned from 1550 to the beginning of the 19th century. After the buildings had a sad sight in the early nineteenth century, the reconstruction of the ruins was begun in 1817 under the direction of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The horticultural environment was designed by Peter Joseph Lenné.

Chorin Monastery

Niederfinow Ship Lift

The Niederfinow ship lift is the oldest still operating ship lift in Germany and a protected industrial monument. It is located on the Oder-Havel-Kanal and crosses the height difference of 36 meters between the canal and the Oder. After a construction period of 7 years, the ship lift was handed over to traffic on 21 March 1934. The Niederfinow ship lift is a popular excursion destination, which annually visits about 500,000 people.

Niederfinow Ship Lift

Grazau Pyramide

The pyramid is part of an overall complex consisting of the Garzau Castle and the associated landscape park. Friedrich Wilhelm Carl Count von Schmettau established the park from 1779; The pyramid was built in 1784 and could have served the Count as a mausoleum. However, he sold the estate in 1802. In 1911 the predecessor of the castle, the Herrenhaus Garzau, burnt down. While rebuilding the castle, the pyramid decayed. It was discovered again in 1999. In the years 2000 to 2010 it was rebuilt it mainly from its own resources. The interior is now largely in the original state.

Pyramide Garzau

Rüdersdorf Museum Centre

The Museumspark Rüdersdorf is a large open-air industrial museum in Rüdersdorf near Berlin. It documents the extraction and processing of limestone from Rüdersdorfer Kalkberg. Only in a few places in the north German lowland limestone comes to the surface. The Rüdersdorfer Kalkberg is the largest limestone occurrence in northern Germany. The Rüdersdorf limestone was the most important building material for the metropolis of Berlin, in addition to the bricks from Brandenburg. An exhibition hall provides comprehensive information on limestone deposits and use, the geology, mineralogy and fossil record of Rüdersdorf and the history of limestone mining in Rüdersdorf.

Rüdersdorf Museum Centre

Müggelturm

The excursion destination Müggelturm is located on the western slope of the "Kleiner Müggelberg". It stands at an altitude of 88 m. When today is spoken of the Müggel Tower, the tower which is now standing there is generally meant; But there was another tower before that, which burned down in 1958. You can reach the Müggelturm area from "Teufelssee" in the north-east via a staircase or as described in your bikeline guide by bike. The tower itself is 30 meters high, and the view of the forest and lake landscape is all round.

Müggelturm