In the Footsteps of Wolves

On the bike tour you can follow the tracks of the Lusatian wolves. Since the end of the 1990s, several wolf packs have been living in Lusatia again. On the way, you will get to know the wolves' settlement area. The thematic cycle path leads from Weißwasser via the Nochten erratic block park to Rietschen. You will encounter dense pine forests, inland dunes, ponds and flowing waters along the way. But small villages and the memorable open-cast mining and post-mining landscape are also in the Lusatian wolves' stomping ground. Get to know the varied mixture of open countryside and closed forest areas that offers the wolf such favourable hunting conditions for deer, stags and wild boar. Not only the wolf feels at home here, but also other protected animal species such as otters, white-tailed eagles and cranes, which guests can observe with a little luck. 

An exhibition on the life of wolves can be seen in the wolf barn at the Erlichthof settlement in Rietschen. The Wolf Region Lusatia contact office is also located here and provides visitors with up-to-date information on the Lusatian wolf population.

Information boards at various locations along the trail provide insightful information on the biology and way of life of wolves.

Length: 45 kilometres

Start: Weißwasser, railway station, Bahnhofstraße 16 (coordinates 51.505543, 14.638699)

Destination: Rietschen, railway station

Route via: Nochten - Boxberg /O.L. - Kringelsdorf - Reichwalde - Hammerstadt - Werda.

Route conditions:
Asphalted cycle paths and side roads with little traffic, partly solid gravel paths.

Places of interest along the route:

• Weißwasser: Muskau forest railway, glass museum
• Observation tower on Schwer Berg
• Nochten Lusatian erratic boulder park
• Ohr landscaped area with amphitheatre (approx. 3 km)
• Reichwalde open-cast mine edge with lookout point at brickworks
• Lusatian wolves" exhibition in the wolf barn in the Erlichthof museum village in Rietschen with information boards, specimens and films about Lusatian wolves.

Gastronomic tips:

• Big Rock snack bar and cafeteria in Nochten boulder park
• Lindenhof restaurant in Boxberg/O.L.
• Höfchen bakery in Reichwalde
• Forsthaus and barn café at Erlichthof in Rietschen

Parking: at the railway station in Weißwasser

Bicycle rental: in Weißwasser and Boxberg/Oberlausitz

Maps / Literature: Cycling map Heide- und Teichlandschaft Sheet 2 - Biosphere Reserve / Bautzen, 1:50,000, Sachsen Kartographie, ISBN 978-3-86843-025-7, 6.50 Euro