From Brieskower See to Lebus on the Oder

The tour supported by the current has its charm in the variety of views. Tranquil nature experiences, bustling ship traffic, and the panorama of a big city make the tour diverse and lively. Even an experienced canoeist can have fun on this route and probably enjoys more views than a less experienced driver.Start: Brieskower See near LossowDestination: LebusLength/Duration: 20 km // approx. 4 hoursArrival: Public transport: From Berlin Hauptbahnhof take the RE1 to Frankfurt/Oder, then take the RB11 (Cottbus) to Brieskow-Finkenheerd (approx. 1.5h)Car: From Berlin via the A113, A10, and A12 to Brieskow-Finkenheerd (approx. 1.5h)Departure: Public transport: From Lebus, walk to Schönfließ (approx. 4km) and take bus 968 to Frankfurt/Oder, then take the RE1 (Brandenburg) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (approx. 2h)Car: From Lebus, walk to Schönfließ (approx. 4km) and take bus 968 to Frankfurt/Oder, then take the RB11 (Cottbus) to Brieskow-Finkenheerd to the car (approx. 1.5h)Tour description:At the shore of Brieskower See, at the rest and bivouac site Brieskow-Finkenheerd, the boat is put into the water and then set off towards the Oder. Impressive is the Steile Wand of Lossow, the 60-meter high cliff at the edge of the lake, serving as a breeding ground for around 100 bird species. From the confluence with the Oder, the gentle current downstream provides support for the journey towards Frankfurt/Oder.Before the big city envelops you, the slender island of Ziegenwerder stretches at the entrance to Frankfurt/Oder. A walk through the varied park of the island to the campus of the University of Viadrina is worthwhile. Back on the water, the three connecting bridges of the two border cities are passed under.Lebus, the former episcopal city and destination of this tour, holds a special appeal for lovers of Adonis flowers. From late March to mid-May, the beautiful flowers bloom on the gentle Oder slopes, giving them a special charm.Nautical information: The tour is a light water sports challenge. Ship traffic, groynes, and the current of the Oder require great attention and experience in canoeing. It is possible to dock on both banks and step on either German or Polish soil.Maps/Literature: DKV Water Guide for Eastern Germany: Canoe Guide for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Saxony (DKV Regional Guide), German Canoe Association: 4th edition (April 1, 2011), ISBN-13: 978-3937743288, 19.95 Euro Tour Atlas Waterway Traveling / TA5 Berlin-Brandenburg with Spreewald: Oder, Havel, Spree + Tributaries, 1:75,000 & 1:25,000, Publisher: Jübermann, 5th edition (July 5, 2013), ISBN-13: 978-3929540666, 25 Euro