Berlin and surroundings: Havel, Oder and Spree landscapes

Transcription

1 Berlin and surroundings: Havel, Oder and Spree landscapes TOUR DESCRIPTION Havel, Oder and Spree landscapes On nice bike trails around Berlin.Let the beautiful surroundings of Berlin and the way the splendidly constructed bike trails encircle the federal capital impress you. We tested the route for you to compose a worthwhile mix of the newly-built trails. The region Berlin- Brandenburg is very rich of water plains and forests, which makes of the roundtrip of 350km length a unique experience very close to nature. You will cycle through the Schorfheide, Europe s widest forest, to the second deepest and surely most beautiful lake of Brandenburg, the Werbellinsee, to continue across the impressive landscape of the Oderbruch, shaped by the latest ice age. The gentle hills of the Mark Brandenburg will lead you to the Müggelsee, the biggest lake of Berlin. Be ready to discover the rich cultural and industrial history of the region: The dreamlike landscape around the only lately redone castle of Oranienburg where an electress used to reside, the Cistercian monastery in Chorin and the lift lock in Niederfinow, known as a masterpiece of constructional engineering. On this tour, you will get to know the Havel bike trail, the Oder-Neiße-bike trail, the trail of the Oderbruch-railway, Europe s R1 bike trail and the Berlin Wall bike trail. The paths are mostly well-paved and post-signed and far off the highways. Gravelled, sanded or cobbled paths are rather seldom. Except for few hills on the scarp of the Oderbruch or in the Mark Brandenburg, the route stays rather even and can easily be accomplished by any cyclist in average shape.

2 1. day Arriving in Potsdam The former Prussian imperial seat Potsdam is characterised by stunning palaces and gardens extending along the Havel river: Sanssouci, Neuer Garten, Babelsber, Glienicke, Pfaueninsel and Sacrow have been part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since You should travel to the train station or to the parking facilities at the hotel to receive your rental bikes. 2. day Potsdam Oranienburg (57 km if part of the way is accomplished by ferry / 76 km if the whole stage is done by bike) Your bike tour starts in the town centre of Potsdam with an interesting boat trip to Sacrow. This is how you will comfortably pass the bridge of Glienicke, where important agents crossed from west to east and back during the Cold War. You will also come to enjoy the landscape of the Havel surrounded by the château park of Babelsberg, the public park of Glienicke and the Neuer Garten. Still in a comfortable pace, the Havel bike trail will then take you through forests and waters to the great Wannsee. If you wish to follow, the surroundings will invite for a short stop here and you will have the chance to visit the old town of Spandau or the post mill of Gatow. Today s destination will be Oranienburg with the only lately refurbished palace and gardens. Since the state garden show in 2009, this dreamlike landscape once owned by electress Louise Henriette of Oranien has been shining in new splendour. Anyone who wishes to be a little more active in the morning may skip the ferry trip and continue on the European bike trail R1, the Berlin Wall trail and the Havel bike trail. These trails always stay close to the green riverside, far away from any traffic and add

3 19 more kilometres to the day. 3. day Oranienburg - Werbellinsee 52 km The very well implemented bike trails will lead you along the waterside and through the Schorfheide today. Along the Oder-Havel-channel, not far from the Havel river, your route will take you to the small rural town of Liebenwalde, past the Langer Trödel (area of stagnant water, no longer navigable today) to the watergate of Zerpenschleuse, past the Finow-channel to Marienwerder and finally to the Werbellinsee. The untouched nature is only densely populated and offers wide spaces for neat discoveries: the church and contemplativeness of Neuholland, the rehabilitated facades across the market place of Liebenwalde, the former town prison, the boatmen s houses by the 400 years old Finowchannel and last but not least the Neo-gothic village church that seems much too big for Marienwerder. The day ends at the hotel right by the shore of the Werbellinsee, in the middle of this wonderful nature. 4. day Werbellinsee - Hohenwutzen / Oder 63 km The first few kilometres of the day lead past the crystal clear Werbellinsee, measuring up to 55 metres in depth, to Joachimstal. This is where Emperor Wilhelm II. had a unique train station constructed in Norwegian country style so that he could travel into the Schorfheide to go hunting more comfortably. Today, the Emperor s station has been redone to shine in its former glory again. Not far from here, a wide viewing platform allows enjoying a spectacular panorama view over the biosphere reservoir of Schorfheide-Chorin. Through a beautiful landscape, you will continue along the Grimnitzsee to Chorin, where a short side trip of 3 km to the Cistercian monastery of Chorin is a worthwhile idea. From here, the Mönchsheide, an almost deserted strip of land, leads to the lift lock of Niederfinow. It is the oldest one of its kind in Germany that is still active today. Built in 1934, it has been conferred the title of the historical emblem of constructional engineering in Germany. Your hotel lies right ahead of you at the river Oder. 5. day Hohenwutzen - Buckow 45 km Today you experience a unique natural landscape in Europe. From the hotel, you cycle high elevated 9 km on the Oder-Neiße cycle path. Enjoy wonderful views over the wide, quiet landscape. Following a disused railway line, you will then cycle further inland to Wriezen before you follow the long-distance cycle track (Radfernweg) Tour Brandenburg through the hilly Märkische Schweiz. In the afternoon you can look forward to the small excursion and spa town of Buckow with its remarkable Brecht-Weigel-Haus at the Schermützelsee. 6. day Buckow - Müggelsee 47 km From Buckow, the pearl of Märkische Schweiz, you cycle through many small villages to Rüdersdorf near Berlin. Take a short detour to the Museum Park Rüdersdorf, which tells the story of lime mining. Visit the former furnaces and transport facilities and see how the old industrial plants worked. The "Gerhard-Hauptmann-Stadt" Erkner with its interesting museum and the Müggelsee is now quickly reached. Look forward to your beautiful hotel directly on the lake and enjoy pure holiday atmosphere. 7. day Müggelsee - Potsdam 62 km From the Müggelsee you cycle through the forest, where a detour to the Müggelturm is worthwhile. This spot offers you a fantastic view over the greenest district of Berlin. A small

4 ferry takes you from Wendenschloss via the Dahme to Grünau, where you will arrive shortly afterwards at the Berlin Wall cycle path. Here you cycle on the traces of the very recent German history. Along the famous Babelsberger Filmpark you cycle to the historic city center of Potsdam and further on to the starting hotel of your round trip. 8. day Leaving Potsdam Your lovely roundtrip around Berlin and Potsdam ends at the hotel.

5 WORTH KNOWING Worth knowing Below you will find specific information about the bike tour: "On new bike trails around Berlin". If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: Arrival by train Potsdam is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. Our partner hotels are all within walking distance of several stations in Potsdam. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: schedule information Parking facilities at the hotel Our partner hotels always provide parking possibilities (subject to a fee) for the entire duration of your bike trip. There are always plenty of parking spots available, no prereservation is necessary. Detailed information on parking at your hotel, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure. Condition of cycle paths In this bicycle journey "on new bike trails around Berlin" you cycle on a variety of different bike paths and small side streets. The selected cycle routes have been created or paved within the last years and therefore of the highest quality. But there are also short passages of dirt road, the route is mostly flat. On day 4 and day 5 in the Schorfheide and the Märkischen Schweiz there are some hilly sections. The selected trails are well signposted and the route is signposted throughout with additional Velociped stickers (white V on green background). Available rental bikes If you choose to rent a velocipede-rental bike for the tour, we take it to your first hotel and bring pick it up at your destination. You can choose between woman s and men's bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 21-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. All ladies' bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier. The bikes are suitable for all ladies from 150 cm in height and for all gentlemen from 165 cm in height. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.velociped rental bikes 7 days hotline service In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

6 PRICES & SERVICES TOUR Berlin and surroundings: Havel, Oder and Spree landscapes tour: tour type: individual duration: 8 days dates of arrival: / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / level: beginners-intermediate Velociped-Tour min. participants: 2 please note: Velociped can withdraw from the tour twenty-one days before the starting date of the tour, at the latest, in case the minimum number of participants stated under the tour description is not attained. You will duly be informed without any delay in case of a withdrawal. Velociped will of course refund the paid tour price immediately. Please note our General Terms and Conditions. PRICES (PER PERSON) Double room: Cat.A: 635,00 Single room: Cat.A: 865,00 tourer: 60,00 electric bike: 170,00 BOOKABLE ADDITIONAL NIGHTS (PER PERSON) Zusatznacht Potsdam Double room Category A 63,00 Zusatznacht Potsdam Single room Category A 100,00 Zusatznacht in Berlin Innenstadt nach der Tour Double room Category A 65,00 Zusatznacht in Berlin Innenstadt nach der Tour Single room Category A 110,00 TRAVEL SERVICES All-carefree service: accommodation incl. breakfast room with shower/bath/wc luggage transport map of bike trails with marked route

7 Powered by TCPDF ( detailed route description tips for tour preparation touristic information 7 days hotline service CHILD DISCOUNTS 25% reduction for children under 14 years of age in a room with two people paying the full price 15% reduction for children under 14 years of age in their own room