Variant 1 “FONTANE.RAD” - from Neustadt (Dosse) to Neuruppin

The Discovery Tour west of Neuruppin takes you past many estates. Fontane was particularly impressed by the Prince of Homburg, who turned Neustadt (Dosse) from an insignificant hamlet into a flourishing town. Brandenburg’s main and state stud is located in impressive buildings that are under monument protection. A day tour that ends in the poet’s birthplace: Neuruppin.

This variant of the FONTANE.RAD route starts in Neustadt (Dosse) and joins the main route in Neuruppin. The stud farm in Neustadt (Dosse) had a very unique influence on the entire region even in Fontane’s time. The complex and its buildings, which are under monument protection, were extensively renovated in recent years. Fontane considered the next station, Wusterhausen/Dosse, to be the “twin” of Neustadt. The cycle tour continues via Brunn to Trieplatz, whose manor house was described in detail by Fontane and which has survived to this day. In Ganzer, the Rohr manor house with its art workshops and Fontane walks invites you to take a break. You continue via Gottberg with its impressive fieldstone church and then to Kränzlin, which Fontane visited many times because of his friendship with the Scherz family who owned an estate there. The tour ends in Neuruppin – Theodor Fontane’s birthplace.

Length: 38 kilometres (3 hours)

Start: Neustadt (Dosse), Finish: Neuruppin

Logo/route sign: FONTANE.RAD against a grey background

How to get there: From Berlin central station, take the RE 2 (Wittenberge/Wismar) to Neustadt (Dosse) (about 1 hour).

Return journey: From Neuruppin Rheinsberger Tor, take the RE 6 (Berlin Gesundbrunnen) to Berlin-Spandau or Berlin Gesundbrunnen and from there with the S-Bahn (rapid transit train) to Berlin central station (about 1.5 hours).

Route: Neustadt (Dosse), Wusterhausen/Dosse, Brunn, Trieplatz (Abstecher), Ganzer (Abstecher), Gottberg, Kränzlin, Neuruppin

Points of interest/background information:Neustadt (Dosse) State Stud FarmWusterhausen/Dosse Old Town Manor house in Brunn  Rohr manor house in GanzerGottberg fieldstone churchNeuruppin Old TownPossible combinations:FONTANE.RAD day tour 5 from Wusterhausen/Dosse via Kyritz FONTANE.RAD main route between Oranienburg and PotsdamFontane town tour in Neuruppin (circular route)FONTANE.RAD day tour 3 from Neuruppin via KarweTrail conditions/surface: 89% asphalted – 11% non-asphalted

Maps/Literature:For full tour details, see Tourguide FONTANE.RAD and Radkarte.The website //www.fontanerad.de" target="_blank"FONTANE.RAD provides everything you need to know about the cycle route.