Demanding Graveltour through the Oderbruch and into the Polish Landscape Park Cedynia

This demanding tour combines sporting challenges with intense nature experiences and a German-Polish borderline experience. The varied route leads from the wide landscape of the Oderbruch to the Polish landscape park Cedynia and touches the edge of the Pomeranian Lake District. Long flowing passages on a former railway line alternate with sections on the crest of the dyke, on the slopes of the Oder and in

picturesque stream valleys deep in the forest. Perfect for adventurous types who are looking for wide open spaces, a slower pace and the discovery of unknown gems such as the small town of Moryn with its crystal-clear lake.

Start / finish: Wriezen railway station

Length / duration: 80 kilometres / approx. 5 hours

Character: A sporty tour mainly on developed cycle paths on old railway lines and on the dyke, partly also on side roads with little traffic. A few gravel passages, rough asphalt and beautiful descents underline a small cycling adventure.

Route: Wriezen, Europabrücke, Moryń, Stare Łysogórki, Gozdowice, Ortwig, Neubarnim, Neulewin, Altwriezen, Wriezen

Extra tip: Check ferry times (every hour from April to October) online again. In summer, it is worth taking a dip in the crystal-clear Lake Morzycko. 

Arrival/departure:

Public transport: RE4 from Berlin Central Station to Eberswalde, then RB60 to Wriezen.

Car: E.g. public car park on Frankfurter Straße in Wriezen.

Route description

Flowing along old railway lines

The tour starts in Wriezen and leads through the wide landscape of the Oderbruch. In the 18th century, the former marshland was transformed into today's sparsely populated cultural landscape. The route progresses rapidly along the former railway line until suddenly reaching the imposing River Oder. The Europabrücke bridge allows you to cross the large border river on foot or by bike. Information boards on history and nature, as well as sweeping views over the Oder floodplain, invite you to linger.

The wheels roll on smoothly on the former Wriezen–Godków line, now part of the Fernradweg 20 long-distance cycle route, which leads to the Polish Western Lake District. Former station buildings line the route in places – some lovingly inhabited, with gardens, children playing and laundry fluttering in the breeze. A summer idyll with nostalgic charm.

Tip: The former railway station in Klępicz has become a popular rest stop. Flower decorations, an outdoor kitchen and coffee or tea on trust make the break particularly welcoming, often complemented by homemade cake.

Medieval Moryn and the deepest lake in West Pomerania

Situated on a hill, Moryn welcomes visitors with its almost completely preserved city wall. The medieval layout, fieldstone buildings and church characterise the historic townscape. A geopark provides information about the region's ice age history. Directly adjacent is Lake Morzycko, the deepest lake in West Pomerania. Its clear water, up to 60 metres deep, shimmers turquoise and invites visitors to take a dip or a break at the beach and market square.

Through the picturesque Słubia Valley

After Moryn, the route approaches the Mieszkowice forests and the narrow Słubia Valley via asphalt and gravel paths. The small river has formed an enchanted valley with steep slopes, springs and meanders in the Cedynia Landscape Protection Park. Gravelly shallows and beaver tracks characterise the landscape. Rest areas allow for quiet moments in the forest before continuing several kilometres downhill towards the Oder.

Oder panorama and crossing without borders

Back at the Oder, the route follows the Zielona Odra cycle path along a quiet country road to the south-east. After a final climb, it is worth making a detour to a memorial wall and then on to a former bunker. The viewpoint offers a wide panorama over the river to the Oder-Spree lake district. In Gozdowice, the ‘Bez Granic – Without Borders’ ferry crosses over to Germany. If you have time to wait, the small regional museum provides insights into the history of the Oder crossing during the Second World War. In Güstebieser Loose, a sculpture of the river god Viadrus welcomes arrivals.

An insider tip on the Oder dyke

A longer section now runs along the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route. You can pick up speed again on the dyke crest. The Radlers Hof invites you to stop for refreshments at a farm. At kilometre 54, a path branches off to the left towards the Oder. At low tide in summer, a dam becomes visible here – a quiet place where Berliners once came to bathe and where today water birds and nature observation take centre stage.

Along the Old Oder back to Wriezen

Finally, the route takes you along the Oderbruchbahn cycle path towards Neulewin. The colonial village was established in the 19th century during the drainage of the Oderbruch, as commemorated by the local history museum. A detour to Altlewin is worthwhile for a stop at the Alter Fritz inn. Along the original course of the Oder and via short off-road passages on the old railway embankment, the tour finally ends back in Wriezen.

Sights:

• Europabrücke
• Klępicz: Old railway station
• Moryń: Old town with market square and city walls
• Near Gozdowice: Viewpoint at the old bunker
• Gozdowice: ‘Bez Granic – without borders’ ferry, river god Viadrus
• Between Gozdowice and Ortwig: Ruschebuhne
• Neulewin: Neulewin local history museum

Refreshment tips:

• Europabrücke: Oderglück Café (seasonal)
• Klepicz: SB Cafe Dawny Dworzec
• Moryn: Lody Rzemieślnicze
• Zelliner Loose near the Oder dyke: Radlershof
• Altlewien: Gasthof Zum Alten Fritz
• Wriezen: Ristorante Juani, Ristorante Due Amici

Maps/literature:

• Cycling brochure ‘Your bike. Your break. Your flow.’, Seenland Oder-Spree online shop