Berlin Wall Trail Cycle

On arrival in Berlin, take the S-Bahn from Berlin-Mitte to Oranienburg, a journey of just under one hour. If you arrive early you may wish to take an excursion to the nearby Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial (free entry). Please note that if you arrive on a Sunday, the supermarkets and most shops are closed. Your rental bike/s will be waiting for you at the hotel. Overnight in Oranienburg.

Your first day's adventure begins by cycling through the nature conservation area Tegeler Fliess and soon after you will join the Berlin Wall Trail (Berlin Mauerweg) proper. You'll come across your first watchtower and some orange steles, which are common along the route and provide information about people who lost their lives trying to cross the wall. Following the path of the former Wall south along the edge of Reinickendorf (former West Berlin) via Niederschönhausen (former East Berlin) in the direction of Pankow you will reach Wedding. Cycle through the Mauerpark to Bernauer Street. Pass the Nordbahnhof and continue between Berlin's city centre and the district of Wedding until you reach the former border crossing, 'Invalidenstrasse'. Cross the Spree river on the Kronprinzen Bridge to the Reichstag and the grand 18th-century Brandenburg Gate, iconic symbol of reunification and peace. You are now in the middle of Berlin! Divided during the Cold War, today Berlin has a vibrant art scene and nightlife. Reminders of the city's turbulent history include the Holocaust Memorial, the graffiti-ed remains of the Berlin Wall, and its eclectic architecture. A truly fascinating city to explore, don't miss the Schloss Charlottenburg, World Heritage listed Museum Island and Mies van der Rohe’s landmark Neue Nationalgalerie. Overnight Berlin-Mitte.

Today's ride heads through the heart of the city of Berlin, from the Brandenburg Gate along the path of the former Berlin Wall. Take time to enjoy the sights in the city centre before continuing to Potsdamer Platz city square. Continue to the former border control Checkpoint Charlie, where you may want to visit the Border Museum. Continue following the path of the former Wall alongside the city district of Kreuzberg, over the Spree River, to the Ostbahnhof. Here you will find a remnant of the Berlin Wall called The East Side Gallery, which has been transformed into a wall of art. It is the largest remaining section of the wall. You may want to make a quick stop at the Soviet monument in Treptow Park before continuing through Treptow's small summer garden area to the former Sonnenallee border crossing (which featured in Leander Hausmann's 1999 film of that name). The first German airport for engine-powered airplanes was built in 1909 in nearby Adlershof. On reaching Schonefeld, continue past Bukow and outlying areas to Teltow. Overnight in or near Teltow.

Today's ride is shorter to allow you more time to explore the many sights in Potsdam. Cycle the route of the 'Stammbahn', the first Prussian train to run from Potsdamer Platz to Potsdam in 1838. Along the way you will pass the former border control point of Dreilinden. Crossing over the Konigsweg you will cycle through the Berlin forest towards Babelsberg and Potsdam. The ride diverts from the main Berlin Wall Trail so you can view the Glienicke Bridge, where spies were exchanged, from a different angle (you will ride over it tomorrow morning). In the afternoon, you can explore this former royal capital and garrison town or visit the Sanssouci palace and terraced gardens. Overnight in Potsdam.

Cycle through the landscape of hills, parks and lakes designed by Lenné and Schinkel. Continue past the Glienicke Bridge and then take the ferry (payable locally - allow EUR10 pp) across the Havel river to Kladow. You follow the former border through the Gross Glienicker Heide to Staaken. From Staaken your route leads through Spandau Forest to Nieder Neuendorf. Overnight stay in Oranienburg.

Trip concludes after breakfast. We can book extra nights on request.