Leipzig New Lake District Cycle Route
For around 90 years, giant excavators dug through the earth in the south of Leipzig and extracted brown coal. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, these huge excavations have been slowly recultivated and partially flooded. The result is a large recreational and nature reserve with many lakes, bathing beaches and beer gardens, as well as tranquil forests and reed banks. The Neuseenland route connects nine of these new lakes from the southern edge of the city of Leipzig on a large, one hundred kilometre long loop. If you want to jump into the water, take a boat trip or even go for a swim, plan at least two to three stages. The route is predominantly flat, mostly on separate cycle paths, country lanes and forest tracks, although these are not always tarmac.
Journey:
There are good rail connections to Leipzig, and from there to the outskirts of the city to Markkleeberg on S-Bahn lines 2, 4 and 5.
Tour combinations:
Connections to the Äußerer-Grüner-Ring-Radroute (135 km) in Zwenkau, the Elsterradweg (250 km) in Pegau, Markkleeberg and Zwenkau and the Kohle-Dampf-Licht-Radroute (120 km) in Markkleeberg, among others.
Worth seeing:
Observation tower on the Trages spoil tip (detour) with a beautiful panoramic view over the Neuseenland.
Accommodation tips:
Seepark Auenhain on Lake Markkleeberg, www.seepark-auenhain.de
Holiday flats on the lake, private rooms, harbour cabins and boathouses for rent, www.leipzigseen.de
Further addresses: www.neuseenland-radroute.de
Maps and literature:
Folder with tour description at www.neuseenland-radroute.de
Dr Barthel-Verlag "Leipziger Neuseenland cycling map" 1:50,000.
Publicpress "Cycling and hiking map Leipziger Neuseenland - southern part"
Information:
Tourist Information Leipzig New Lakeland & City of Markkleeberg, www.leipzigerneuseenland.de;
Tourist-Information Leipzig, www.leipzig.travel
Guided day tour:
With a focus on castles and manor houses, www.architektur-blicklicht.de
Bike hire:
www.neuseenland-radroute.de
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 3/2016. You can read the entire issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or order the issue in the DK shop.
