Königstour im Oderbruch cycling tour

Without “Old Fritz”, we might still be travelling through the Oderbruch (former marshland) in Wellington boots instead of by bike on this “King's Tour”. The Prussian king arranged for this marshland to be drained around 1750. The “Master of Sanssouci” transformed the marshes into fertile agricultural land.
Length / duration: 98 kilometres / 8 hours

Start / finish: Gusow

Logo / route sign: "Old Fritz"

How to get there:Train: Take the RB26 (Kostrzyn) regional train from Berlin Lichtenberg to Gusow (about 1 hour).Car: Take the B1 from Berlin to Gusow (about 1.5 hours).
Route: Gusow, Platkow, Neuhardenberg, Altfriedland, Kunersdorf, Neutrebbin, Altrebbin, Neulewin, Neulietzegöricke, Zollbrücke, Güstebieser Loose, Groß Neuendorf, Neubarmin, Klein Neuendorf, Sitzing, Wuschewier, Letschin, Gusow

Route description: The “King's Tour” passes straight through this natural scenery where cyclists can watch waterfowl and wading birds below the water level of the Oder River. The beautiful cycle route is also a journey back in time – not only because of the monuments of Frederick II in Letschin, Neutrebbin and Neuhardenberg. Anyone who is interested will also find information along the way about the Seven Years’ War from 1756 to 1763. Two bloody battles took place beyond the Oder River. Cavalry Captain von Prittwitz even saved the king from Russian captivity at that time. If you want to delve even deeper into the history of the Prussian ruler, it is recommended that you make a detour to the old Küstrin Fortress. The young crown prince was banished here for two years by his father in 1730. Here he also had to watch the beheading of his friend Hans Hermann von Katte. The beautiful Neuhardenberg Palace with its extensive grounds is directly on the cycle route. It's also worth visiting the Schinkelkirche church. Those who still have some energy after cycling can take a canoe trip on the Alte Oder waterways from Quappendorf. King Frederick once had the tributary controlled through his landscape restructuring. Boats and a shuttle service to the Oder River, for example, are available from the rental company in Wriezen.

Points of interest and background information:Gusow: Castle with an exhibition of pewter figuresPlatkow: Museum of pateonthology and archaeologyNeuhardenberg: Schinkel's castle buildings, Lenné and Fürst von Pückler Park with a monument of King Frederick, Schinkelkirche church, Heimathaus museumAltfriedland: Monastery ruins, monastery church, Heimatstube local history parlourKunersdorf: Burial colonnade, church, Musenhof courtyard of the muses, historic military parkNeutrebbin: historic village settlement, monument of Frederick II, Schinkelkirche church, war monumentNeulietzegöricke: first colonist village in the Oderbruch (former marshland) (1753), historic village settlement with many half-timbered buildings, village church, apiaryZollbrücke: Theater am Rand theatre, dam keeper's cottage buildings, Deichscharte dike opening - a flood protection landmark in the Oderbruch (former marshland), goat farmGüstebieser Loose: Ferry crossing to Gozdowice (April - October)Groß Neuendorf: Jewish cemetery, old harbour, galleries, pottery workshop, museumsLetschin: Heimatstube Letschin - Haus Birkenweg local history parlour, Fontane Park, monument of Friedrich II, Schinkelkirchturm church tower, railway museum
Possible combinationsOderbruchbahn Cycle PathOder-Neiße Cycle PathEuropean Bicycle Route R1
Trail conditions / surface@ asphalted cycle paths

Maps / literature: "Seenland Oder-Spree (Landkreise Oder-Spree und Märkisch Oderland): Fahrrad- und Erlebniskarte", Maßstab 1 : 100.000 / 1 : 175.000 Landkarte-Folded Map, Verlag: Pietruska; Auflage: 4 (August 2017), ​ISBN 978-3-945138-01-4, Euro 6.90