Eighth Stage “FONTANE.RAD” - from Werder (Havel) to Potsdam

The final stage of the FONTANE.RAD route takes you to the state capital of Potsdam. First, however, the tour passes through several memorable princely towns along the River Havel which inspired Fontane, including Petzow, Geltow and Caputh.

From the blossom festival town of Werder (Havel), the last stage of the FONTANE.RAD route takes you past Glindow with a detour to Petzow, which is picturesquely situated on Lake Schwielowsee. The beautiful castle, park and church trio are absolutely worth seeing, and the castle with its blend of Moorish and English architectural styles is downright eccentric. The next stopover is in Geltow, which Fontane enthused about during his stay in Baumgartenbrück. The lakeside promenade offers scenic views of the lake and the island of Werder (Havel). Then you continue by ferry: The Kavalierhaus manor house in Caputh has an Italian flair to it. Fontane was particularly fond of Caputh’s pleasure palace. Directly at the water, it has been restored to its former glory. At the end of the tour and the destination of the main route you find the Bornstedt Crown Estate near the Sanssouci Palace Park in the Potsdam district of Bornstedt. Potsdam is also home to the Theodor Fontane archive, which probably contains the most extensive collection of letters by and to Fontane.

Distance: 18 kilometres (2 hours)

Start: Werder (Havel), Finish: Potsdam

Logo/route sign: FONTANE.RAD against a yellow background

How to get there: From Berlin central station take the RE 1 regional train (Brandenburg Hauptbahnhof) to Werder (Havel) (approximately 40 minutes).

Return journey: From Potsdam take the RE 1 (Frankfurt (Oder)/Cottbus) to Berlin central station (about 25 minutes) or take the S-Bahn (rapid transit train) line 7 (about 40 minutes)

Route: Werder (Havel), Geltow, Caputh, Potsdam

Points of interest/background information:Werder (Havel) Old TownGlindower Alpen nature reserveLake SchwielowseeVillage church and Petzow parkBaumgartenbrücke bridge in GeltowKavalierhaus manor house and castle in CaputhPotsdam’s cultural landscape
Possible combinations:FONTANE.RAD Variant 2 from Werder (Havel) to Brandenburg an der Havel
Trail conditions/surface: 98% asphalted – 2% non-asphalted

Maps/Literature:For full tour details, see Tourguide FONTANE.RAD and Radkarte.
The website //www.fontanerad.de" target="_blank"FONTANE.RAD provides everything you need to know about the cycle route.