Spree-Neiße: Cycling Routes, Cultural Landscapes and Spreewald Cuisine

Spree-Neiße brings together natural and cultural landscapes, cycling and themed routes, and regional cuisine. The places and topics below offer specific starting points for exploring the region.

Landscapes and Designed Routes

The Spreewald is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a distinctive inland delta landscape. The UNESCO Muskau Arch Geopark is another landscape highlight in Spree-Neiße district. The two names represent different landscape features within the region: the Spreewald is defined by its inland delta landscape, while the Muskau Arch is designated as a geopark. On Bärenbrücker Höhe, a circular trail passes the steles of artist Eberhard Krüger and offers views over the surrounding area.

Cycling and Themed Routes

The Spree Cycle Route crosses the Spree-Neiße region for around 60 kilometres and runs mostly along paved river dikes. Its approximate length and predominantly paved surface offer concrete points of reference when planning a cycling trip. The Lower Lusatian Mining Tour has a different focus: it passes active open-cast lignite mines and landscapes reclaimed after mining. The route highlights the coexistence of active extraction and landscape change. If you plan to visit active mines, check the current access information in advance, as restrictions may change.

The Prince Pückler Route showcases examples of landscape design from Pückler’s time and the present day. The Sorbian Impressions tour, in turn, offers insights into the life and traditions of the Sorbian/Wendish minority living in the region. Comparing these routes reveals different thematic perspectives: mining and reclamation, landscape design, and Sorbian-Wendish culture.

Roses and Museums

In Forst (Lausitz), the East German Rose Garden is a 17-hectare park. Visitors can admire tens of thousands of roses in almost 1,000 varieties. The Welzow Archaeotechnology Centre combines an interactive museum and a large outdoor area with the exhibition “People – Wood – Archaeology”. It also offers events and workshops for the general public; registration is always required for both. Since programmes may change, check the latest dates and register before making plans.

In Peitz, an exhibition at the Ironworks and Fisheries Museum is devoted to the construction history of the Peitz Ironworks. It uses historical sources, maps, sketches and photographs. Alongside natural and cultural landscapes, visitors can also choose to explore the history of a specific industrial site as a museum topic.

Spreewald Cuisine and a Set Event Date

Spreewald culinary specialities include pickled gherkins—sour, spiced or with mustard—linseed oil with quark, yeast pancakes and Spreewald fish. The Gherkin Cycle Route also explores the landscape and themes surrounding this popular sour vegetable in the Spreewald region. These dishes provide concrete regional points of reference for a food-focused trip; the Gherkin Cycle Route connects the same vegetable theme with the landscape and a cycling route.

The highlight of the 13th Peitz Carp Weeks 2026 is the “Great Fish Haul” on 31 October and 1 November. Visitors can watch the fishers at work, learn about fish farming, and taste and buy fresh or smoked fish. If you plan your stay around these dates, check the event details before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Burg, Schmogrow-Fehrow, Schenkendöbern, Werben, Tauer, Spremberg, Kolkwitz, Forst, Heinersbrück, Groß Schacksdorf-Simmersdorf, Döbern, Neuhausen/Spree, Peitz, Felixsee, Guben, Teichland, Welzow, Drebkau, Turnow-Preilack, Jänschwalde, Hornow-Wadelsdorf.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Brandenburg.