Oder-Spree-Tour (cycling)

The impressive St. May´s Cathedral is one of two cathedrals in Brandenburg. Destroyed in the last days of World War II, the structure was completely rebuilt. The sacraments house in the cathedral is over 500 years old.
A few kilometres later the Oder-Spree-Canal heads towards Müllrose. Here is the last mill in the Schlaubetal which still works. The Oder-Neiße Cycle Path leads towards Eisenhüttenstadt and Neuzelle. The city what was planned on the drawing board and the baroque wonder of Brandenburg cannot be more architecturally different.
The drive trough the Schlaubetal Nature Park is spectacular in another way. Hidden lakes in the forest are waiting for you. You should also take a tour of the historic old town of Beeskow. The backdrop of the old town with the city wall and the castle of pure Middle Ages.
The next castle is waiting in Storkow. The over 800 years old castle is an exhibition about the region between the rivers Dahme, Spree and Over. In Bad Saarow you can also make a longer stop. For example in the SaarowTherme or on a walk through the park of the Scharmützelsee.
The writer and Nobel Prize laureate Gerhart Hauptmann spent several years in Erkner just before the limits of Berlin. His house is now a museum.

Length: 250 kilometres

Start / finish: Beeskow

Logo / route sign: “Nature park owl” against a yellow background

How to get there:Train: Take the RE1 regional express train from Berlin central station to Frankfurt/Oder and then continue with the RB36 (Königs Wusterhausen) regional train to Beeskow (about 2 hours).Take the A10 and A12 motorways and the B168 from Berlin to Beeskow (about 1.5 hours).
Route: Beeskow, Wendisch Rietz, Bad Saarow, Erkner, Fürstenwalde (Spree), Müllrose, Eisenhüttenstadt, Neuzelle, Beeskow

Route description: Anyone setting out on this great trip will pick out the highlights in the Oder-Spree region: such as Erkner, Storkow and Beeskow close to the towns or Lake Scharmützelsee and the Spree River near the water. The sophisticate spa town of Bad Saarow lies almost in the middle. Three villages further on, you can will hear the clinking of an old gate. A little later, the only noise will be the wind in your ears as you cycle along. Horses will be grazing in paddocks and cows will be dozing in paddocks just behind them. Everything is just as it should be in this area. Old and new tracks link together to create a paradise for cyclists. Some new apple trees are planted in rows such like they are giving cycling enthusiasts a guard of honour.

But the tour of the Oder-Spree region is also one of contrasts. On the one hand, vibrant urban life and, on the other hand, hidden lakes and dense mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. Here, Fürstenwalde with its impressive Dom St. Marien cathedral and just a few kilometres further on the idyllic Kersdorf Lock. It is also not far from the quiet municipality of Groß Lindow to the pulsating town of Eisenhüttenstadt. Or experience a true Baroque marvel in Klosterkirche Neuzelle monastery church. It's worth making a detour from Erkner to Rüdersdorf museum park, where you can experience up close the over 750-year history of limestone mining in an opencast mine.

It goes without saying that cyclists will find a lot of bathing opportunities along the route in the Seenland region. Similarly, there are cafés and dining areas where you can recharge your batteries. Find your favourite section of the route on the 250-kilometre tour. You might get a taste for it and cycle the whole distance.

Points of interest and background information:Fürstenwalde: Dom St. Marien cathedral, Rathaus town hall, Stadtmuseum local history museum, Bischofsschloss castle, art galleryMüllrose: Heimatmuseum local history museum, nature trail, historic carriage museumBrieskow-Finkenheerd: Japanische Gartenwelt gardensEisenhüttenstadt: Documentation centre from the former German Democratic Republic, fire brigade museum, municipal museumNeuzelle: Historic monastery complexBeeskow: Historic town centre, castle, St. Marienkirche church, sheep farming museumLindenberg: Weather museumWendisch Rietz: Lock, leisure park with children's playground and miniature golf course, ceramic studioStorkow (Mark): Lock, historic town centre, castle, Radkuriositäten-Museum Didi Senft bicycle curiosity museum, inland duneBad Saarow: SaarowTherme thermal baths, historic railway stationErkner: Gerhart-Hauptmann Museum, Museumshof am Sonnenluch museum villageKagel: “Alte Schule” museum
The option to combine:Possible combinations:Spree Cycle PathGurkenradweg, known as the Gherkin Cycle PathTour Brandenburg, a tour of BrandenburgOder-Neiße Cycle PathMärkische Schlössertour, a castle tour of the Mark Brandenburg regionEuropean Bicycle Route R1
Trail conditions / surface: The route leads along established, asphalted cycle paths. Short sections of the route lead along forest paths.

Recommended map
Rad- und Freizeitkarte „Seenland Oder-Spree Gesamtgebiet" 1:100.000, ISBN 978-3-945138-01-4, Euro 6.90 plus shipping costs