Spree Cycle Route
The Spree Cycle Route runs for 368km from the sources of the River Spree in Upper Lusatia to Berlin. This tour along the Spree, which also cuts through the Lusatian Lakeland for about 62km, has natural beauty and cultural attractions in abundance. Explore the waterscape and verdant scenery along the Spree Cycle Route by bike.
The Spree begins in the Lusatian Hills, where it is fed by three springs. The first part of the Spree Cycle Route, as far as Bautzen, is hilly. It then levels off as it crosses the Upper Lusatian landscape of heathland and ponds to reach Uhyst on the shores of Lake Bärwalde, the southernmost lake in the Lusatian Lakeland. Swimming beaches, the ‘Ear’ landscape sculpture and amphitheatre on Boxberg shore, and the Klitten marina are perfect spots for a leisurely break and can all be easily reached via the path that runs around the edge of the lake. It is also worth taking a little diversion to the Nochten Boulder Park. Just outside Boxberg in the hamlet of Sprey is an unusual wooden chapel made of hand-hewn logs. Beyond Neustadt/Spree, the cycle route continues along picturesque riverbanks to Spremberg. The new-generation Schwarze Pumpe power station can be seen from miles away and a visit to its multimedia visitor centre is well worth a detour. Continuing through the lovingly restored old quarter of Spremberg and past the castle, home of the Lower Lusatian Heath Museum, the route leads to the nearby reservoir. After a well-deserved rest on the sandy shore, the next stop is the historical city of Cottbus and then onwards through the Spree Forest to Berlin.
Tip: In Ruhlmühle you can swap your bike for a boat and appreciate nature at its best with a cruise along the River Spree.
Length: 368km, 62km of which is through the Lusatian Lakeland
Starts: Ebersbach, Neugersdorf and Walddorf/Eibau (sources of the Spree)
Ends: Berlin
Logo / Route markers: Signs show the River Spree, the Brandenburg Gate and a green hill on a white background
Route: Ebersbach, Neugersdorf, Walddorf/Eibau (sources of the Spree), Bautzen, Uhyst (Lake Bärwalde), Boxberg, Sprey, Neustadt/Spree, Spreewitz, Spremberg, Bühlow, Gross Ossnig, Cottbus, Peitz, Burg/Spreewald, Lübbenau, Lübben, Schlepzig, Krausnick, Gross Wasserburg, Neuendorf, Alt-Schadow, Beeskow, Fürstenwalde, Erkner, Berlin
Terrain: Predominantly surfaced paths, cobblestones, concrete slabs and very well-maintained cycle tracks, very few busy roads; steep climbs on the stretch to Bautzen
Combination options:
- Seenland Route
- Lower Lusatia Mining Route
- Prince Pückler Cycle Route
- Frog Cycle Route
Cyclists’ needs are well catered for all along the route, with a wide choice of cyclist-friendly Bed & Bike accommodation.
Spreeradweg, Gesamtlänge: 410 kmSpree Cycle Route (GPX; 252,68 KB)
Route
Recommended maps
- bikeline cycle tour guide Spree-Radweg (Spree Cycle Route), published by Esterbauer GmbH, 1:75,000, ISBN 978-3-85000-070-3, price: €10.40
- Spree-Radweg map published by Dr. Barthel-Verlag, 1:50,000, ISBN: 978-3-89591-102-6, price: €9.90
- Kompass Spree-Radweg, 1:50,000, ISBN: 978-3-85026-793-9, price: €8.99
Services for your cycling holiday
Holiday cyclists’ needs are well catered for all along the Spree Cycle Route, with a wide choice of cyclist-friendly Bed & Bike accommodation. Our tourist information offices on Lake Bärwalde, in Hoyerswerda and in Spremberg will be happy to provide information about accommodation along the Spree Cycle Route in the Lusatian Lakeland region.
Getting here
- By car via the A4, A13 and A15 motorways
- by train, e.g. from/to Eibau, Neugersdorf, Ebersbach, Bautzen, Uhyst, Spremberg, Cottbus, Peitz, Lübbenau, Lübben, Beeskow, Fürstenwalde, Erkner
- Further information on travel to the region