Cycle route around Lake Grossräschen

The 17km loop trail around Lake Grossräschen offers a variety of magnificent views and interesting stop-off points along the way. The IBA Terraces, three minimalist cube-shaped buildings connected by terraces, were the location for the Fürst Pückler Land International Building Exhibition (IBA) from 2000 to 2010. Today, the IBA Terraces visitor centre is a popular destination for an excursion. Grossräschen’s marina and pier are within easy reach, as is a vineyard. In 2012, the first vines were planted here on the steep slopes around the former Meuro opencast mine. Also nearby is the Victoriahöhe viewpoint on the site of the former Victoria I briquette factory. Pretty much on the opposite side of the lake lies Reppister Höhe viewpoint. A special feature are the outlines of the seven villages that had to make way for the Meuro opencast mine – Bückgen, Grossräschen-Süd, Anna-Mathilde, Rauno, Reppist, Sauo and Birkenhain – on a scale of 1:150. Each location has a marker with the village name on it. From here, there are lovely views over Senftenberg, Grossräschen and the surrounding countryside.

Distance: 17 kilometres
Start/end (recommended): Grossräschen marina
Parking: at Grossräschen marina (Seestrasse or Hafenstrasse)
Terrain: The circular route follows the asphalt loop around the lake. Its undulating route sets it apart from the other, flat lakeside trails. The asphalt strip splits into two parallel lanes on parts of the route.

Attractions along the route

• Marina
• IBA Terraces visitor centre
• Vineyard
• Victoriahöhe viewing point
• Avenue of stones
• Museum of Art Fakes at Seehotel Grossräschen
• Ilse Canal
• Reppister Höhe viewpoint

Food & drink: HAUS VIER restaurant, bistro by the IBA Terraces and the restaurant at SeeHotel in Grossräschen

Useful information for this route

• Viewpoints: Victoriahöhe, Reppister Höhe
• Parking: at Grossräschen marina (Seestrasse or Hafenstrasse)
• Public toilets: at the IBA Terraces and the marina building
• Play areas: between the IBA Terraces and the marina
• Most of the loop trail around the lake is not shaded
• The distance in kilometres is marked consistently along the loop trail, which is circular lake route no. 12

Tip: Cycle hire is available through iba-tours right by the IBA Terraces.