Once around the Märkische Meer - tour for late riser

Nestled in the Saarow hills and a stone's throw from Berlin lies the second largest natural body of water in Brandenburg. The impressive Scharmützelsee, affectionately christened the ‘Märkisches Meer’ by Fontane, awaits you with the perfect scenery. Get on your bike and get ready for the ‘Once around the Märkisches Meer - tour for late riser’. Let the sea breeze blow around your nose and discover idyllic beaches, stately villas and culinary hotspots. After this tour, you'll come back feeling refreshed from your holiday.

Start / Finish Bad Saarow railway station
Length / Duration 30 km / 2.5h
Journey Public transport RE1 to Fürstenwalde, then RB35 to Bad Saarow
Departure Public transport RB35 from Bad Saarow, continue in Fürstenwalde with RE1, hourly

Your cycling experience by the water:

Travel tip:

At the historic Bad Saarow railway station, follow Pieskower Straße to the left and then turn right into Seestraße, passing the Kurpark Kollonaden and small, inviting cafés. This is where the Scharmützelsee adventure begins.

A sophisticated start

After a short train journey, Bad Saarow welcomes you in style. The prestigious railway station building gives you an idea of how stylish the spa and health resort is.

Your tour now starts in the direction of Scharmützelsee and the historic lido. Take a stroll through the spa gardens and along the chic lakeside promenade. The pace is relaxed. You can finally breathe in the sea air. The harbour promenade will put you in a holiday mood. Take a look at the magnificent villas. The listed Villa Paolo in Uferstrasse is the most remarkable for many. And of course Fontane is not to be missed - in the park of the same name, striking sayings by Brandenburg's most famous poet are presented.

On the west bank

Your tour continues south towards Saarow Dorf. At the bathing spot at the transition to the Alte Eichen peninsula, you should take a look over to the island of Kleiner Werl. So many cormorants breed here. You can also observe various water birds from the rest area on the opposite side of the Silbersee lake.

The cycle path now takes you along a former railway line through the forest and past the golf course. If you have wider tyres and are not afraid of a short stretcher section and the natural path, you can also take the direct path along the shore after the roundabout. This will take you past the restaurant 'Das Dorsch' in Saarow Strand, which is known for its regional creations and phenomenal views.

Scandinavian flair in Wendisch Rietz

Once you reach the southern end of the lake, the seagulls will guide you back to the lake. You can take a look at Sweden or Finland with a detour to the Scandinavian-style harbour area in Wendisch Rietz, where the typically colourful wooden houses on the water greet you. A culinary stop is also worthwhile: try the homemade lemonade in the artistic studio café or relax in the fish house at the transition to the Kleiner Glubigsee.

Quiet villages and beautiful bathing spots on the eastern shore

From Wendisch Rietz, follow the Oder-Spree Tour for a while. Across meadows and fields, you reach Diensdorf on the eastern side of the lake. The shore drops steeply here. You can see the water flashing between the houses again and again and the best view is from the headland at the water hiking rest area. Also interesting: the exhibitions in the old school barn and one village further on, in Pieskow, the private manor house ‘Klein Sanssouci’, the fairytale forest and the church on the village green with a wooden altar from the 17th century.

Sundowner by the sea

Another beach atmosphere at the beach in Cecilienpark. Back in Bad Saarow, the Bavarian-inspired Freilich am See offers you the opportunity to round off the day with a sundowner or light beer in the beer garden. Park your bike, put your feet up and enjoy the sunset over the Märkisches Meer! Cheers!

Plan your late-riser bike tour around Lake Scharmützelsee now!

Jump into the crystal-clear water here

Cycling tip

If you don't want to bring your own bike, ‘Home of Bikes Scheffler’ in Golmer Straße 6B, 100 metres from Bad Saarow train station, offers the ideal bike hire service:

Refreshment tips