This section takes you from the Berlin border through northern Berlin classics such as the Biesenthaler Becken and Finowtal where you will be flying on pristine gravel until entering the Nonnenfließtal, from where on, it gets more traily towards Bad Freienwalde. After that, it’s a mix of gravel riding, rugged trails, and logging roads until you enter the Hohlwegschlucht, which marks the beginning of the Märkische Schweiz. This hilly nature reserve makes up the most climbing of the route but will reward you with rare mountain views. Once you roll into Fürstenwalde at kilometer 215, you have completed one of the tougher sections of the route!
After plenty of resupply options and a last glance back from the must-visit viewtower Rauener Berge, you are headed eastbound on mostly gravel roads and refreshing bike paths towards the river Oder and the border to Poland.
Entering Eisenhüttenstadt, a socialist model city in the GDR, you will start to see countless remnants of the great ore and coal mining times as well as former life in eastern Germany — impressions that will stick with you for the majority of the very eastern parts of the route.
Heading southeast, you will then make your way through Schlaubetal, one of Brandenburg’s prettiest creek valleys and hiking terrain. The Schlaubetal links wetlands and creeks with the neighboring Liberoser heath, as well as Germany’s largest desert, which stretches over more than five square kilometers, and the Liberoser Endmoräne (terminal moraine). These areas are rich in diverse flora and fauna, and while they remain largely unexplored by tourists due to the presence of remaining ammunition and explosives, they serve as prime wolf territory, home to hundreds of wolves roaming through eastern Brandenburg. After the Schlaubetal, the ride is characterized by fast rolling gravel mixed with logging roads.
After longer stretches of dry heathlands, deserts, and sparse water resupply options, Bhyleghure marks the beginning of the Błota (Sorbian for “the swamps”) and the Sorbian settlement area, home to the remaining population of Sorbs, a West Slavic ethnic group predominantly inhabiting the parts of Lusatia (Lausitz). Although Sorbian culture and language are slowly dying out in the region, you may still notice the second language written on street signs.
As you are now entering the biosphere reserve Spreewald, everywhere you look are swamps, fenlands, and water. Linking almost 300km of natural and artificial waterways, the Spreewald is of national importance because of its positive impact on the climate and the number of species and plants it is home to. Known for its jungle-like flora and countless river arms that make it look like the Amazon region at times, it’s also a main tourist attraction for nature lovers and canoeists in Germany and beyond.
The riding throughout this section is fast, on smooth gravel roads with the occasional slab paths and bridges to cross over the aforementioned canals.
Section 4 represents the vast nature reserves of the Niederlausitz.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the open mining of brown coal took over almost the entire Niederlausitz, massively damaging soil and nature. During the GDR, the region was also used for military operations as well as a massive textile industry, which impacted the flora and fauna even more. As of today, the Niederlausitz is still in the midst of a massive structural change and a positive turnaround towards climate justice, decarbonisation, and mass nature conservation. Years of these political changes have already shown their impact. Home to many species, the protection of these areas has allowed plants, insects, and other natural inhabitants to come back and settle here again. Open cast mines have been filled with water, creating massive lakes all around as well as stunning stone formations. The remains of old times, mixed with newly founded nature reserves, make up for small natural wonders, leaving hope for nature’s ability to recover as well as human reason.
The riding here is mostly smooth and on well-maintained gravel roads and deserted cycle paths.
This section mainly consists of vast heathlands paired with old forests all around. Scattered alongside the track, you can explore countless traces of Germany’s fascist past and the GDR in the form of military infrastructure, old barracks, airports, and even some small lost-villages.
While on this segment, you are slowly leaving the Lausitz behind. Get ready for loads of relaxed gravel riding through dense forest and peaceful heathlands. Watch out for wolf tracks; perhaps you can spot one!
From Treuenbrietzen on, the surroundings get a little plain. While fitting in with the Brandenburg stereotype (flat and dull landscape with the occasional lake) the best. Besides a few nature reserves along the way, you’ll mostly have an easy ride through flat agricultural fields and pine forests before opening a new chapter after the city of Brandenburg.
Leaving Brandenburg city, the diversity of Brandenburg state is shown again. Alongside myriad lakes, section 6 takes you from the west to the very northern point of the route. One of the highlights is the Westhavelland, the biggest protected area in all of Brandenburg. Here you will literally speaking, find the darkest place in Germany, making it the best place in the country to watch shooting stars, the Milky Way, and more. Make sure to pass by on a clear night sky!
Its vast and highly unpopulated wetlands, lakes, and rivers are very important for Europe’s migration birds, which is why the European Union has declared the Westhavelland as one of Europe’s most valuable bird sanctuaries. A paradise for ornithologists.
Next to the vast heathlands of Kyritz-Ruppin, the Stechlinsee with its crystal-clear waters and pretty coastline, is another highlight not to miss out on. Throughout this section, the ride is characterized by a lot of sandy paths mixed with fast rolling gravel and some exciting trails here and there.
Slowly heading back to Berlin, the last 150ish kilometers will again remind you of Brandenburg’s diverse landscapes and rich history. While riding through the Schorfheide, one of the most famous protected heathlands of Brandenburg, you will pass lakes, wetlands, endless forests, and yet another abandoned airport with its openly accessible hangars. River crossings, twisty trails, and more than 60km of straight, fast rolling gucci gravel make up for an entertaining finish stretch that will leave typical Brandenburg impressions that will last.
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