In the Footsteps of the Prussians

For some years now, they have been considered a special treasure in the state of Brandenburg: towns with historic centres. 31 of them have joined together to form a cooperative to return these urban centres to their former vibrancy. On this tour, cyclists can see for themselves the progress made in four member towns. At 92 kilometres in length, the route between Gransee, Rheinsberg, Neuruppin and Kremmen is one of the more challenging routes, but the Ruppiner Seenland Lake District has numerous cyclist-friendly accommodation facilities. Good rail connections also mean you can easily split up this fascinating series of tours.Length: 98 kilometresStart: Kremmen railway stationFinish: Gransee railway stationLogo/route sign: not specifiedHow to get there:Train: Take the S25 from Berlin Friedrichstrasse to Hennigsdorf, then take the RE6 (Wittenberge) to Kremmen (approximately 1 hour).Car: Take the A111 and A10 from Berlin to Kremmen (approximately 1 hour).Return journey:Train: from Gransee by train to Berlin central station (approximately 1 hour).Car: from Gransee by train to Oranienburg. From here by bicycle approximately 16 kilometres to Kremmen and then by car back to Berlin (2.5 hours).Route: Sommerfeld, Wall, Neuruppin, Rheinsberg, Menz, ZernikowPoints of interest/background information:Kremmen: historic barn district and museumNeuruppin: historic town centre, parish church of St. Mary, monastery church, Hospitalkapelle St. Laurentius, Predigerwitwenhaus, Tempelgarten, Altes Gymnasium, museum (birthplace of Schinkel and Fontane, Neuruppin épinal prints), Fontane thermal spasRadensleben: Campo SantoMolchow: Bell towerZippelsförde: Fish farm with fishing available and nature conservation stationRheinsberg: Palace and palace park, Kurt Tucholsky Literature Museum, Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg and Rheinsberg Music Academy, church of St. Lawrence (with 2 organs), 2 ceramics studios (Carstens-Keramik and Keramik-Manufaktur Dornbusch)Menz: Moor nature trail and Naturparkhaus with Sinnesgarten (“Garden of the Senses”)Zernikow: Manor house complex with silk caterpillar exhibition and history of the building (Fredersdorf and von Arnim)Dannenwalde: Environmental railway station, barefoot pathGransee: historic town centre ((town wall with towers and gate, museum, church, Queen Louise memorial)Possible combinationsBerlin-Copenhagen long-distance cycle routeHavel Cycle PathRuppin Lakes and Culture Cycle PathTour BrandenburgQueen Louise RouteTrail conditions/surface: not specifiedMaps/Literature: “Radkarte Ruppiner Land”, 1:75.000, Esterbauer Verlag, Auflage: 1. (15. April 2011), ISBN-10: 3850003043, Euro 6.90