City.Country.River - město.kraj.rěka

The over 1,000-year-old town of Bautzen is considered the capital of the Sorbian minority and is the cultural center of the region. From here, the route through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape begins. 

1. The circular route follows the first kilometers along the Spree Cycle Path (symbol = river course and Brandenburg Gate). From the parking lot at the high ropes course, the route leads towards Niedergurig. After about one kilometer, it's worth taking a short break to make a detour on foot to the dam of the Bautzen reservoir. To the left of the cycle path, stairs lead up to the one and a half kilometer-long dam circular path.
   Before the reservoir was built from 1968, the villages Nimschütz and Malsitz were located on the current lake area. Malsitz was located about 900 meters northeast of today's village of Oehna on the left bank of the Spree. The foundations of the village are now directly adjacent to the so-called "Bird Island" - the only island of the reservoir - under the water surface. Of historical importance is also the former Spree valley between Malsitz and Nimschütz.  In the Battle of Bautzen on May 20, 1813, Napoleon's French troops attacked the Prussian troops on the heights around Burk and Niedergurig from here. 
2. The route continues on the Spree Cycle Path up to Gottlobsberg.
   Besides the Spree crossing, the Gottlobsberg, past which the route now leads, also had high strategic importance and was fiercely contested. From the height, it offers a fantastic view of the town of Bautzen and the expanse of the reservoir. 
3. Then the path descends towards Niedergurig. In the village, the route turns right onto the federal highway, crosses the Spree, passes the old Lukas Schanze, before turning left into the forest after about 300 meters.
4. Up to the village of Malschwitz, the cycle path meanders for five kilometers through a large pond area.
   It is, in fact, the pond-richest area of Germany. The first ponds in the region were mentioned around the year 1248. Today, the biosphere reserve counts about 350 ponds in 39 pond groups, almost all artificially created and connected by a system of ditches with weirs and pipes.
   The pond businesses specialize in carp farming. The carp ponds are considered centers of biodiversity in the region and reflect the idea of the biosphere reserve that humans and nature can only develop in harmony with each other. 
5. Past the old Malschwitz village church, the path leads through the village and turns left before the savings bank building towards Salga.
   In the village, a stop at the barn cafe is recommended (especially for the homemade cake) opposite the savings bank building. 
6. After more than three kilometers along a chestnut-lined road, the path crosses the S101 street in Salga and continues into the Klix pond group. From there, the cycling route follows the Sea Eagle circular path (symbol = black sea eagle) for about 15 kilometers.
   In Klix, there is a large resting opportunity at the 2017 reopened Klix guesthouse. 
   From Klix to Spreewiese, traffic-calmed roads lead.
7. In Spreewiese, another short break is recommended to view the castle and fish ponds. Guided tours of the castle can be arranged on request.
   About 100 years ago, the place Spreewiese did not exist. Until 1911, the village was called "Leichnam" – derived from the original Sorbian name "Lychan," best interpreted as "clearing" (where settlement took place). Since the old name was often mistakenly associated with "corpse," the then manor owner Franz Sachse applied for a change to "Spreelinden" citing the "ugly name." Finally, through the mediation of the then district captain Dr. von Pflugk, "Leichnam" was renamed to "Spreewiese." This name quickly became established, much to the relief of the villagers who were happy to live in a friendly-sounding place.
   The castle is a typical Slavic water castle for this area, of which today only the supporting pillars remain. Over the centuries, the building was transformed into a Renaissance castle and today shines in full splendor thanks to extensive renovation work by the current owner. The estate includes a natural park with several ponds. Remnants of a linden avenue are still visible. The 18th-century economic buildings further north are unused. 
8. From Spreewiese, the route continues towards Halbendorf along the road. After two kilometers, on the left is a lookout tower with information boards and a seating area at the Red Lug, a special gem of the Upper Lusatian pond landscape. The Sea Eagle circular path leads past flower-rich dry grasslands to Halbendorf and turns left into the Göbelner Heath at the entrance to the village.
   The route continues on sandy soil through the heathland, where in late summer a purple sea of heather delights the eye. With a bit of luck, traces of the Upper Lusatian wolves can also be found in the sand. They have found retreat and resting areas on the former military training ground. 
9. After just under three kilometers, the small village of Göbeln is reached.
   In Göbeln, cyclists pass the Spreehof of shepherdess Ina Schmidt and her farm shop. Specialties around sheep and regional products are offered there. Visitors are warmly welcome. 
10. Now the route continues to Commerau. Through Commerau the cycling route runs along a chestnut avenue, past fish ponds to Kauppa and then further to Milkel. A longer break is also recommended there to visit the historically significant Milkel castle.
    The center of the village is formed by the "Little Moritzburg," the castle complex of Milkel. It is a cultural-historical testimony of all of Saxony. With the restoration of the castle ensemble after reunification, the castle, courtyard, castle park, and the burial sites belonging to the castle on the Lärchenberg have remained accessible to the public. The apartments in the restored cavalier houses can be rented.  
11. In Milkel, the nature route leaves the Sea Eagle circular path and follows the road towards Neusärchen. After just under 600 meters, the cyclist reaches a right turn marked with white-blue-white. This turn is also named Leichenweg on the above-mentioned map. The nature route continues here through a charming pine forest to Crosta.
12. Upon reaching the village, the route holds left to the Blue Adria, a crystal-clear bathing lake.
    In summer, a jump into the cool water, a refreshing ice cream, and a snack here are recommended before the route heads toward its endpoint.
13. From the bathing lake, the cyclist follows the white-green-white marking to Großdubrau.
    The next larger town Großdubrau offers several shopping opportunities, inns, a pharmacy, and a savings bank. Großdubrau is also home to the Margarethenhütte Electroporcelain Museum, where young visitors can take part in a gold-washing course by appointment. The museum tells the history of the region from the perspective of energy production. 
14. The route now continues through Quatitz to Niedergurig. In the center of Niedergurig, the white-green-white path reconnects with the Spree Cycle Path, which is now followed in the opposite direction back to the parking lot at the high ropes course.
    The last kilometers to the parking lot will likely be the most strenuous for this route. While the route had previously been without major climbs, now the cyclist must climb the hill.

1. Repair kit
2. Mosquito spray
3. Appropriate clothing
4. Possibly swimwear
5. Binoculars for nature observation
6. Provisions for the day

Please inquire about opening hours and prices directly with the providers:  

Ocean Beach Bar / pedal boating (Strandpromenade 5, 02625 Bautzen, Tel. 0152 31715367)

High Ropes Course Bautzen (Strandpromenade 8, 02625 Bautzen, Tel. 0163 1842198 / 0179 6742574)

Minigolf Park Bautzen (Strandpromenade 10, 02625 Bautzen, Tel. 03591 385343)

Bautzen reservoir (Am Staudamm 1, 02625 Bautzen, Tel. 03591 67110)

Spreehof Göbeln (Am Spreewehr 14, 02694 Großdubrau OT Göbeln, Tel. 0172 3527642)

Blue Adria (Zur Adria, 02694 Großdubrau OT Crosta, Tel. 035934 4632 or 035934 4526)

Museum Margarethenhütte Großdubrau (Hermann-Schomburg-Straße 6, 02694 Großdubrau, Tel. 035934 66564)

Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape

Upper Lusatia

Bautzen

Malschwitz

Großdubrau

Biosphere reserve partners

Brochure "On discovery tour in the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape" (Sorbian: Na slědźerskej turje přez kónčinu Hornjołužiska hola a haty), also online at www.oberlausitz-heide.de 

1. Adventure offers at the Bautzen reservoir
2. End of the day in the historic old town of Bautzen
3. This route is also very suitable for children. 

The route is not signposted.

Due to patchy network coverage, it is recommended to download the route before the city.