A Heathland Tour across a Purple Natural Wonder

It is the case on most cycling routes that the experience varies greatly, depending on the season. This is particularly true for this heathland tour in the Elbe-Elster-Land. A day out around Plessa is very worthwhile for the opportunity to take a tour of the Visitor Power Plant Plessa and the many rest areas at any time. However, cyclists visiting the heart of the Lower Lusatian Heath Nature Park in summer will experience a sea of purple flowers. This is when the calluna heather is in bloom in the “Forsthaus Prösa” nature reserve. Tourists will usually also encounter the animals that make sure this natural wonder occurs year after year: The ever hungry moorland sheep that graze here and that protect the heather against overgrowth. They are very used to cyclists.Length: 37 kilometresStart/finish: Plessa train stationLogo/route sign: not providedHow to get there:Train: From Berlin-Potsdamer Platz take the regional express train RE3 to Falkenberg/Elster, then the S4 to Plessa (about 2 hours).Car: From Berlin take the A113 and A13 towards Schwarzheide, then continue on the B169 to Plessa (about 1.5 hours)Route: Plessa, Döllingen, Hohenleipisch, Friedersdorf, Oppelhain, Gorden, PlessaPoints of interest/background information:Plessa: Power plant, ostrich farm, “Elstermühle” water millDöllingen: Meadow orchards and Pomological Demonstration and Teaching GardenHeathland area in the “Forsthaus Prösa” nature reserve and the herd of moorland sheepHohenleipisch: PotteriesFriedersdorf: Fieldstone churchOppelhain: Paltrock windmill and herb garden“Grünewalder Lauch” bathing lakePossible combinations:Prince Pueckler Cycle PathLignite, Wind and Water TourLower Lusatia Mining TourSchradeln TourSchwarze Elster Cycle PathTour BrandenburgElster Cycle TourTrail conditions: not specifiedMaps/Literature: Wander- und Radwanderkarte “Naturpark Niederlausitzer Heidelandschaft - Kurstadt Bad Liebenwerda - Mühlberg - Schradenland”, 1:50.000, Sachsen Kartographie GmbH, Auflage: 2., Aufl. (19. Dezember 2006), ISBN 3-932281-63-2, Euro 4.90