Bicycle Tour “Exploring the Spreewald Sagas”

Hardly any region is as rich in sagas and legends as the Spreewald. This fascinating bike trip takes on you on the trail of the Snake King, Aquarius and Irlinde. Passing interesting sights, you will enjoy the unspoilt natural environment of the Spreewald landscape and immerse yourself in traditional tales about the Wendish king Serbski Kral, Aquarius and other such figures. At certain points, you will find audio files in Sorbian/German that tell you more about Nix, Bludnik and Lutki, for example. The Saga Tour starts in the town centre of Burg at the tourist information centre. Following a tributary of the River Spree, you ride to the Bismarck Tower, which was built on the legendary Schlossberg. There is where outstanding events are organised such as the “Spreewald Saga Night” and the “Night of the Pumpkin Spirits” – and this is where you meet the first legendary figures of the tour, namely the Lutkis. The trip continues along Willischzaweg to Straupitzer Bushmühle, where Aquarius lives – also known as “Nix”. On the way through the forest and meadows you may come across a will-o’-the-wisp who will guide you reliably back to the right path if you happen to lose your way. Take care during the midday hours, however: this is when Lady Midday wanders through the fields and meadows! The last stop of the tour takes you to the Spa Gardens and Saga Park.

Length: approximately 24 kilometres

Start/finish: Burg (Spreewald), Burg im Spreewald tourist information centre

Logo/route sign: The tour is not signposted.

Directions:Train: From Berlin take the RE 2 to Cottbus, from there take bus 47 to Burg. From Dresden take the RE 15 or RE 18 to Cottbus, from there take bus 47 to Burg.Car: From Berlin Schönefelder Kreuz A13 follow signs to Dresden-Forst as far as Dreieck Spreewald, then take the A15 for Cottbus-Forst. Exit Vetschau, continue in the direction of Burg. From Dresden Dreieck Nord A13 Berlin to Dreieck Spreewald on the A15, following signs to Cottbus-Forst. Exit Vetschau, continue in the direction of BurgParking: At the Festplatz not far from the tourist information centre, or behind the Spreewaldmühle (Hauptstrasse 31), at the end of the village in the direction of Lübben
Route: Am Hafen – Bismarck Tower – Willischzaweg – Ringchaussee – Eicheweg – Waldschlösschen- Spree-Neiße Cycle Path in the direction of Leipe – road towards Burg (Dubkow Mill) – Erste Kolonie – Schwarze Ecke – Ringchaussee – Birkenweg – Wendenkönigstrasse – Bleichestrasse – Ringchaussee – Bahnhofstrasse – Kurparkstrasse- Bahnhofstrasse – Am Hafen
Points of interest/background information:Burg-Dorf: Local history parlour, Bismarck Tower, Weidenburg, , Spreewald Biosphere Reserve information centre at Schlossberghof, Spreewald herb manufactory, Spa Gardens and Saga Park, Kunsthalle art museum with glass-making centreBurg-Kauper: Waldhotel Eiche, marmalade workshop Rosenrot & Feengrün, Piezonka potter's workshop, Burg Hofbrennerei (distillery), costume embroidery workshopLeipe: 14th century fishing villageBurg-Kolonie: Craft trade demonstration centre, Janke Spreewald juice press
Possible combinations:Spree Cycle PathGherkin Cycle Path
Trail conditions/surface: mainly good, asphalted paths

Maps/Literature:
For optimum preparation and planning of the bicycle tour, the tourist information centre at the Haus des Gastes offers detailed cycling maps which can also be purchased from the online shop on the website.

This cycling tour is a joint project. Many thanks to all cooperation partners:
Witaj-Sprachzentrum Cottbus
Domowina-Regionalverband Niederlausitz e.V.
Studnja – Niedersorbischer Kulturverein e.V.
Grund- und Oberschule Burg (Spreewald)