Oder-Neisse Cycle Route

One route, two rivers and three countries – the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route runs for 474 kilometres along the border between Germany and Poland, past open countryside, historical old towns and idyllic villages. Once, Europe was divided, but nowadays the transitions are fluid. From the south, your journey begins at the source of the river Neisse in Nová Ves in the Czech Republic before passing through the Upper Lusatian region where Germany borders the Czech Republic and Poland. The destination on this first section is Zittau. On the next section, the Abbey of St. Marienthal in Ostritz is well worth a visit. Prince Pückler Park in Bad Muskau, created by the Prince in the 19th century, is rightly acclaimed for its beauty, and marks the next highlight along the route.

Once they arrive in the Lusatian Lakeland, touring cyclists can explore a veritable paradise. The Muskau Bend UNESCO Global Geopark is a remarkable landscape shaped by the ice age, where a number of geological monuments provide fascinating glimpses into long-forgotten worlds. The route leads through a nature conservation area and along the ‘enchanted forest’ walking route to the ‘rose town’ of Forst in Lusatia. The East German Rose Garden in Forst is over 100 years old and captivates visitors with the fragrance of more than ten thousand roses, as well as with its unique combination of horticulture, landscape architecture and botanical diversity. 

After this stop the route continues along the top of the dyke, from where you can cast your eyes across wide expanses of riverside meadows. Birds of prey circle overhead, and storks stride across lush fields. These are just some of the many sights that characterise the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route.

The route then leads directly to Guben. The town dates back to 1235, making it one of the oldest settlements in the Lusatian Lakeland. It’s well worth crossing the border here to the Polish side of the town, called Gubin. The tower of Gubin’s former principal church is visible from far and wide.

A few kilometres to the north, in Ratzdorf, the river Neisse flows into the river Oder. Be sure not to miss the abbey in Neuzelle. The town of Frankfurt an der Oder boasts many attractions. Just past Küstrin-Kietz, the route leads into the Oderbruch, an area of drained marshland. In the Uckermark region, the cycle route runs through the Lower Oder Valley National Park. After Schwedt, the route no longer follows the course of the river and instead leads through Ueckermünde, Anklam and Usedom to the Baltic coast.

Distance: 474km, including 67km through the Lusatian Lakeland
Start: Nová Ves (source of the river Neisse)
End: Ahlbeck
Logo/route marker: Blue river in a green triangle

Route: Nová Ves (Czech Republic), Görlitz, Bad Muskau, Forst (Lausitz), Guben, Ratzdorf, Frankfurt an der Oder, Schwedt, Szczecin (Poland), Ahlbeck
Direction: South – North

The Oder-Neisse Cycle Route is divided into eight one-day sections, but can be split differently according to your specific requirements.

Combination options

• Lower Lusatia Mining Route
• Prince Pückler Cycle Route

Route

Oder-Neisse Cycle Route leaflet

You can download or order a free leaflet to get a better idea about the route before you start your tour. In addition to information about the route and a map, the leaflet also contains recommendations for attractions in the individual regions along the way, from the Jizera Mountains to Usedom.

Order/download Oder-Neisse Cycle Route leaflet

Packages for your cycle tour on the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route

You can book a set package or a custom itinerary for the Oder-Neisse-Cycle Route. All bookings include accommodation in quality mid-range hotels, maps and luggage transfers.

Zur Radreise auf dem Oder-Neiße-Radweg

Recommended maps (German)

• bikeline cycle tour guide Oder-Neiße-Radweg (Oder-Neisse Cycle Route), published by Esterbauer GmbH, 1:75,000, ISBN 978-3-85000-014-7, price: €13.90
• Oder-Neisse-Radweg (Oder-Neisse Cycle Route), Jablonec-Ueckermünde cycling map, published by PublicPress, 1:50,000, ISBN: 978-3-89920-266-3, price: €12.99
• Walking and cycling maps, Niederlausitz Spree-Neisse-Region (Lower Lusatia Spree-Neisse region), published by Sachsen Kartographie GmbH, 1:75,000, ISBN 978-3-932281-16-7, price: €4.90
• Bruckmann’s cycle guide Oder-Neisse-Radweg (Oder-Neisse Cycle Route), published by Bruckmann Verlag, 1:75,000, ISBN 978-3-7654-4648-1, price: €14.95
• ADFC cycle tour guide, published by Bielefelder Verlag, 1:75,000, ISBN 978-3-87073-644-6, price: €14.95

• ADFC-Radreiseführer, Bielefelder Verlag, 1:75.000, ISBN 978-3-87073-644-6, Preis: 14,95 €

Services for your cycling holiday

Holiday cyclists’ needs are well catered for all along the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route, with a wide choice of cyclist-friendly Bed & Bike accommodation. Our tourist information offices will be happy to arrange accommodation along the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route for you. Click the link below for an overview of bicycle hire firms in the Lusatian Lakeland. 

• Cyclist-friendly Bed & Bike accommodation
• Bicycle hire firms
• Overview of tourist information offices

Travel

• By car: via the A13 and A15 motorways
• By train: e.g. from/to Berlin, Frankfurt (Oder), Eisenhüttenstadt, Guben; from/to Dresden, Cottbus, to Forst (Lausitz) or Guben; from/to Zittau, Görlitz, Cottbus, to Forst (Lausitz) or Guben
• Further information on travel to the region