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But quite honestly, the decisive factor is what comes out at the end. And that is a fascinating river course, the first 120 kilometres of which lead through the most beautiful areas of Upper Lusatia. The ideal way to explore it is by bike, which works really well on the Spree cycle path. It starts at the foot of the Kottmar in Walddorf and takes cyclists through magical landscapes, occasionally even travelling through time.
Through the Leineweberland
Of course it is hilly in the Upper Lusatian uplands, but the good news is that the route tends to be downhill. This means that you can relax and let your gaze wander through the land of the linen weavers on the many through-town roads with hardly any traffic.
Pretty half-timbered houses with the typical "log parlour" made from whole tree trunks dominate the scene here, even if there are hardly any looms still rattling in the old weavers' houses. Baroque village churches invite you to take a cultural break here and there, and if you want to try the regional cuisine, you should definitely order a portion of "Teichmauke" - to fortify yourself for the next stage.
This leads through Bautzen, one of Saxony's oldest towns, which can be recognised from afar by its many striking towers and bastions. First mentioned in a document in 1002, the town with its medieval cobblestone alleyways turns every stroll into a journey through time. Especially recommended: a historically entertaining guided tour through Bautzen and a snack in the Sorbian restaurant "Wjelbik". The traditions of the Sorbs are still alive in many villages throughout the region. This is why many guests come to Upper Lusatia, especially at Easter time, to experience colourful events such as the Easter Ride.
As a farewell to Bautzen, it is worth taking a look at the picturesque Spree loop from the "Alte Wasserkunst" (Old Waterworks), and then the Spree cycle path continues. If you haven't had enough of travelling back in time to the Middle Ages, you can add another 100 million years to your journey with a short detour. A trip to the nearby district of Kleinwelka takes you straight back to the time of the dinosaurs - gigantic, terrifying and wonderfully exciting.
Enchanting waterscapes
But then the Spree cycle path continues northwards. Here, Upper Lusatia shows itself from a completely different side: the landscape becomes flatter and ponds, pools and lakes between small green forests now characterise the landscape. After the hustle and bustle of the city, the tranquillity of the Upper Lusatian heath and pond landscape is a perfect contrasting programme. In the UNESCO biosphere reserve, nature inspires in all its silence and is only interrupted here by rustling trees, chirping birds, croaking frogs and chattering storks. Enchanting!
Soon, however, the cyclists' view widens. The water gains the upper hand, the lakes get bigger and soon the colourful beach life can no longer be ignored. At Bärwalder See, boats glide over the waves under white sail triangles and families enjoy the summer with all their senses on the sand. That the lake landscape is a legacy of brown coal? That's a gift! The Spree cyclists linger here, but the waters of the Spree have further to go: through the Spreewald and Berlin, across the Havel and Elbe to the North Sea ...
Information on
Spree cycle path
Starting point: Spree spring at Kottmar (alternatively: Spree springs in Ebersbach and Neugersorf)
- Finish: Mouth of the Havel in Berlin-Spandau
- Route length: 406 km, 120 km of which through Upper Lusatia
Accommodation recommendation
- Hotel "Zum Hirsch", Eibau
- Hotel "Am Lärchenberg", Schirgiswalde-Kirschau
- Hotel "Bei Schumann", Schirgiswalde-Kirschau
- Landhotel & Spreetal Grubschütz
- Best Western Plus Hotel Bautzen
- Restaurant and guesthouse "Zum Adler", Uhyst/Spree
- Further accommodation under www.oberlausitz.com/gastgeber
Worth seeing along the way
- Umgebinde houses such as "Alte Mangel" in Ebersbach-Neugersdorf, "Reiterhaus" in Neusalza-Spremberg, "Faktorenhof" in Eibau
- Coffee roastery and museum farm in Ebersbach
- Sundial village Taubenheim
- Sohland observatory and forest stage
- Silbermann organ Crostau
- Cunewalde half-timbered house miniature park
- Historic old town of Bautzen
Special tip
As a family, a trip to Germany's largest dinosaur park near Bautzen is a must! The entrance to the "Mitoseum" and the newly created "Lavaris" adventure world is gigantic in itself. The "Forgotten World" promises thrills. Other adventure stations such as the climbing jungle or the 350 m² water feature round off the visit to the park and offer an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Stop off on the way
- Fichtelschänke in Friedersdorf
- Old water mill in Obergurig
- Sorbian restaurant "Wjelbik" in Bautzen
- Restaurant and guesthouse "Zum Eisvogel" in Malschwitz, Wartha district
Active & Vital
- Körse-Therme Schirgiswalde-Kirschau
- Minigolf park and high ropes course at the Bautzen reservoir
- Maze Kleinwelka
- HAUS DER TAUSEND TEICHE, Wartha
- UNESCO Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape Biosphere Reserve
- Lakeland
Further route suggestions
- Oder-Neisse cycle path
- Frog cycle path
- Saxon city route
- Lakeland route
- Central Plateau Route D4
- Wolf Cycle Route
- Görlitz country tour
- Neißeland tour
- Umgebindehaus cycle route
- KRABAT cycle path
- Lower Lusatian Mining Tour
- Cultural Route West Lusatia
Literature/Maps
- bikeline cycle tour book Spree cycle path www.esterbauer.com
- Cycling in Upper Lusatia http://www.oberlausitz.com/shop
- Tip: Oberlausitz tour planner on the web and as an app www.oberlausitz.com/aktiv
Your expert for cycling and hiking holidays
- AugustusTours Dresden - www.augustustours.de
Further information
Marketing company Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien mbH
Humboldtstraße 25, 02625 Bautzen
Phone +49 (0)3591 48770
info@oberlausitz.com
www.oberlausitz.com
