In the Footsteps of Wolves

Follow the footsteps of the wolves of the Lausitz region on this bicycle tour. A number of wolf packs has been living in the Lausitz region once again, since the late 1990s. On the tour you will explore the wolves’ territory. The themed circular cycle tour will take you from Weißwasser, via the glacial erratic park in Nochten, to Rietschen. You will cycle through dense pine forests, past inland dunes, ponds and streams. Little villages and the distinct mining and post-mining landscape are also part of the home range of the wolves of the Lausitz region. Explore the diverse mixture of open landscapes and closed woodlands that provide very favourable conditions for the wolves to hunt deer, stags and wild boars. The wolf is not the only protected species that feels right at home here. Lucky visitors may also spot otters, sea eagles or cranes.Length: 45 kilometresStart: WeißwasserStart/finish: RietschenLogo/route sign: not specifiedHow to get there:Train: Take the RE2 from Berlin central station to Cottbus. From here take the OE65 to Weißwasser (about 3 hours).Car: From Berlin, take the motorways A13 and A15, and the country roads B115 and B165 to Weißwasser (about 2 hours).Return journey:Train: From Rietschen, take the OE65 to Cottbus, then take the RE2 (Wittenberge) to Berlin central station (about 3 hours).Car: From Rietschen, take the train OE65 to Weißwasser, from here return to Berlin by car (about 2 hours).Route: Weißwasser, Nochten, Boxberg /O.L., Kringelsdorf, Reichwalde, Neuliebel, Hammerstadt, RietschenPoints of interest/background information:Weißwasser: Forest train Muskau, glass museum, observation tower “Turm am schweren Berg”Nochten: Lausitzer Findlingspark (glacial erratic park)Bärwalder See (lake): Bathing area at the shore in Boxberg, landscape art “Ear” with amphitheatre and viewpoint, tourist information centreBrickyard: Mine edge in Reichwalde with viewpointRietschen: Wolf exhibition “Lausitzer Wölfe” at the wolf barn in the museum village ErlichthofTrail conditions/surface: The tour takes place on flat terrain. The tour comprises asphalted cycle paths and quiet side roads, as well as gravel paths with a largely firm surface.Maps/Literature: “Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft - Blatt 2 Biosphärenreservat/ Bautzen: Wander- und Radwanderkarte”, 1:50.000, Sachsen Kartographie, Auflage: 6 (10. September 2015), ISBN 978-3-86843-025-7, Euro 5.90