Through the forest and over the mountains - tour for late riser

Overcome a real mountain pass by bike, glide along idyllic forest and forest paths and cycle off the usual paths through beautiful nature. If you have these things in mind for your next excursion, then you should try this adventurous half-day bike tour from Fürstenwalde over the Rauener Berge to Storkow.

This is how it works in the mountains:
Gravel fun: in addition to paved bike paths, around a third of them are on gravel, forest and forest paths Aim high: enjoy the Rauener Mountains and the fantastic mountain panorama from a height of almost 200m Place of power: marvel at the largest boulders in northern Germany Of course: explore the inland dune Waltersberge in the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park
Start: Fürstenwalde station
Destination: Storkow train station
Length: 37 km / approx. 3 hours
Arrival by public transport: RE1 to Fürstenwalde (Spree)
Departure public transport: RB36 from Storkow to Königs Wusterhausen, then RE2, RB24 or S46 to Berlin


Start in the cathedral city of Fürstenwalde
After a short train ride, your tour starts in Fürstenwalde on the Spree. First it goes towards the city center. We can recommend a short detour to the city's landmark. St. Marien Cathedral is one of only two cathedral buildings in the state of Brandenburg and can be visited.
You follow the Spree Cycle Path towards Berlin and you quickly get out into nature by the water. At the oxbow lakes of the Fürstenwalder Spree it sometimes looks like the Amazon. Then you leave the paved bike path and it goes on the gravel road towards Große Tränke. Here the Spree divides into the Oder-Spree Canal and the natural Müggelspree.




Luck in Rauen
After crossing the river you will arrive in the former mining village of Rauen. Lignite was mined underground in old tunnels in the Rauener Berge, as the information boards on the historic wagons tell. Today the place is famous as a hiking area, for its bakery and the ice oasis.




On to the mountain stage with foresight
From Rauen it goes into the Rauensche Berge. The mountain stage with a gradient of up to 12% will challenge you, we promise! The climb over the asphalt north-west driveway to the highest point of the Rauener Berge is unique in Brandenburg. Pack the 209 steps of the observation tower on top and you have your perfect flight. The view from a height of almost 200m is definitely worth it. Here a landscape similar to a low mountain range opens up and you can look down on the large Scharmützelsee, the Märkisches Meer. Direction signs explain what can be seen on the horizon: if the visibility is good, you can see as far as Berlin and the television tower.
The next superlative is just a few meters away. The margrave stones are an impressive natural monument and have been recognized as a national geotope. The glaciers of the last ice ages pushed them onto the Rauener Berge. You won't find any larger boulders anywhere in North Germany.




Flying visit to Bad Saarow
After the pass over the mountains it goes on forest and forest roads down towards Bad Saarow. A stop at the Scharmützelsee is also worthwhile. You can take a break in the beer garden with a view of the lake or just watch the maritime hustle and bustle at the harbor. There is a holiday atmosphere here.





In the flow through the forest and to the inland dune
You are now following the Oder-Spree tour towards Marienhöhe and Kolpin. The Great Kolpinsee is idyllically located in the middle of the forest. The rarely visited, clear lake with natural swimming areas is an insider tip. Relaxed permanent campers say hello from the shore. Again you leave the usual cycle paths and turn into the forest and onto a forest path, which is initially marked with a yellow line on a white background. As in the flow, you fly over the small forest highway and make rapid progress. The pine apples slip away from under the tires.
Shortly before Storkow there is a rarity to see on the Waltersberg. Just park your bike briefly. An adventure trail provides information on the almost 70m high inland dune, which was created by winds after the last ice age. Unique in Germany. The landscape with gnarled pines and open sandy areas and the view from the very top to the Storkower See are worth the effort for your ascent.





Tour finale at Storkow Castle
After the trip to the desert, treat yourself to a homemade lemonade in the nearby restaurant on the vineyard. If that's not enough: You can also cool off in the Storkow lido on the Storkower See. Here you can also find the specialties of the Ice Guerilla from Beeskow. Organic and regional ice cream!
In the heart of Storkow, the more than 800 year old, reconstructed Storkow Castle shines in new splendor. Here you can find out information and stories about the natural and cultural landscape in the historical ambience of the castle in the visitor center of the nature park. Or let the day end in one of the cafés and restaurants around the wooden drawbridge and the tranquil market.

Plan your late riser bike tour over the Rauener Mountains now!




Extra gravel tips:
Also watch out for hikers on the forest and field paths! Be considerate of each other and everyone is relaxed! Bike with slightly wider tires from 30cm width recommended (normal touring bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes ...) Public transport tip: Note the limited capacity of the regional train for taking bicycles with you Tips for taking bicycles with you from the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg Refreshment tips
Fürstenwalde: Zunfthaus 383
Rauen: Buchholz bakery, ice oasis
Bad Saarow: Beer garden on the Scharmützelsee
Storkow: Restaurant am Weinberg, Altstadtcafe with homemade ice cream, Café Burgstübchen and other offers