Through the Spree Forest to Berlin: Spree Cycle Route

The three sources of the Spree are located in Upper Lusatia in Saxony. From here, the premium cycle route awarded three stars by the German Cyclists' Federation follows the course of the river into Berlin.

After some hilly stretches as far as Bautzen, cyclists welcome the opportunity to stop for a break in this town whose history stretches back more than 1,000 years, and perhaps explore Ortenburg Castle and the old quarter. When the weather is fine, people head straight for the beach at the Spremberg reservoir. The Lusatian town of Cottbus was once home to Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau. Branitz Park, laid out in the English style, was one of his creations. Soon after, you come to the Spree Forest biosphere reserve with its magnificent landscape around the many branches of the river. On the final leg of the tour to Berlin, you pass Beeskow's moated castle and the cathedral in Fürstenwalde. Terrain: predominantly on asphalt paths with occasionally poor surfacing and bollards. Traffic volumes are low; hilly stretches as far as Bautzen, then mainly flat. Scenery: riverside route through riverbank meadows and the Spree Forest with wetlands and moorlands, many branches of the river Spree spanned by little bridges. Small villages with traditional rural houses.

• Length: 410 kilometres
• Starts: Eibau
• Ends: Berlin
• Route info: mainly flat terrain, easily managed with children