Through the Unterspreewald between Schlepzig and Groß Wasserburg

The Unterspreewald is often "left behind" on the way to the central Oberspreewald, but the location not only guarantees a quick journey from Berlin but also - at least on weekdays - absolute tranquility. The tour offers a beautiful insight into the natural beauty of the Spreewald.

Length / Duration: 22 km (1 day)

Start / Finish: Schlepzig / Unterspreewald

Arrival: Public transport: From Berlin Hauptbahnhof take the RE2 (Cottbus) or RB 24 (Senftenberg) to Lübben (approx. 50 minutes). From there take bus 506 for 20 minutes to Schlepzig. Car: From Berlin take the A13 to the Rietzneuendorf/Staakow exit, then take the Tropical-Islands-Allee to Schlepzig (approx. 1 hour).Route: Schlepzig, Puhlstrom, Quaaspree, Zerniasfließ, Schiwanstrom, Pfahlspree, Groß Wasserburg (same way back or Puhlstrom, Quaaspree, Schlepzig

Tour description: Main Spree towards Lübben, after about 3 km turn right into Puhlstrom (or alternatively another 1 km to Gasthaus Petkamsberg). Drift along Puhlstrom in the direction of flow to the Laubengang. Back on Puhlstrom to Quaaspree. After about a kilometer, turn left into Zerniasfließ (lock is either opened or the boat is carried over). Drift down Zerniasfließ to "Schnelle Kathrin". On Schiwanstrom to Puhlstrom. Just before the "Unteres Puhlstromwehr" lock, turn sharply left into Pfahlspree. Back right on Wasserburger Spree to Wasserburg. On the way back, stay on Puhlstrom (as you have to go upstream on Puhlstrom, you should have saved some strength for this section). Pass through or carry the "Oberes Puhlstromwehr" lock. After 500 meters, you reach Quaaspree again and then Schlepzig.

Land excursion: Schlepzig: Agricultural History Museum, half-timbered church from 1782Groß Wasserburg: Harbor, gastronomic establishmentsNautical information: strong current on the "return" on PuhlstromPuhlstrom may only be navigated outside the breeding season from July. Alternatively, during this time, the main Spree can be navigated.Both locks can be passed through or carried. At the lower Puhlstromwehr, there are people on Fridays to Sundays who open and close the lock (always have some money in your pocket for a "tip" to make the lock keepers happy ;)Maps / Literature: "DKV Waters 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 euros"TourenAtlas Water Sports / 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 euros"Compact Canoe Spreewald May 2014 - with topographic water hiking maps", Thomas Kettler Verlag, 2nd edition (May 5, 2014), ISBN-13: 978-3934014282, 9.95 euros