D-Route 12: Oder-Neiße Cycle Route
Bike Touring Collection by Radnetz Deutschland
8
days
3-5 h
/ day
376 mi
6,150 ft
6,925 ft
The Oder-Neiße Cycle Route is part of the German Cycling Network and an integral part of the Federal Government's National Cycling Plan. The 12 long-distance cycle routes and the German Unity Cycle Route connect all regions of Germany with north-south and west-east connections. For this purpose, existing long-distance cycle routes, river routes or themed routes are connected with each other, linked at attractive and exciting locations and integrated into the existing Eurovelo network.
The Oder-Neiße Cycle Route is the easternmost D-Route. It takes you from Zwickau on the border with the Czech Republic to Ahlbeck on the Baltic Sea. First, you cycle along the banks of the Neisse through wild, romantic forests, past beautiful meadows and colourful fields. Wide, green meadows, wonderful nature reserves and the unique Lower Oder Valley National Park await you on the Oder and provide unforgettable, untouched natural beauty. Finally, you reach the Oder estuary with the Szczecin Lagoon, the island of Usedom and the Baltic Sea.
You cover almost 590 kilometres (366 mi) – and with a few recommended detours a few kilometres more – on the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route. You can easily reach the start point of Zittau and the end point of Ahlbeck by train.
On the very well-developed cycle path you can expect natural beauty and glorious scenery. There’s plenty to interest history buffs along the German-Polish border, as well as pretty old towns and romantic little villages in wonderfully rural surroundings. Some stretches are fairly remote, so you should always have enough water, provisions and the necessary tools for your bike with you. It’s also advisable to be prepared for all weather conditions, as there isn’t shelter everywhere along the route.
Each stage ends somewhere with a good choice of accommodation and places to eat and drink. In summer and at weekends, it’s worth booking accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment.
The route is easily accessed by rail and it’s often possible to catch a train if the weather doesn't cooperate or you only want to do a few stages.
You can find a Collection of the entire German Cycling Network, with all 12 D-Routes and the German Unity Cycle Route here: komoot.com/collection/1928660.
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Last updated: September 24, 2023
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All stages of the bicycle route along the German-Polish border
- 04:2246.3 mi10.6 mph800 ft1,075 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The first stage of D-Route 12 on the Oder-Neisse cycle path begins at the state border near Zittau. Flat, slightly sloping paths lead you past colorful fields and lush meadows. After five kilometers you have the opportunity to visit the old town of Zittau with a short detour and after another ten kilometers…
- 04:0944.8 mi10.8 mph925 ft1,200 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
It's also gently downhill today, although there are a few smaller counter climbs waiting for you on your journey along the Neisse. The first kilometers of this stage you cycle straight past the Rothenburg/Görlitz airfield and then reach the banks of the Neisse. From now on the track will be a bit more…
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- 03:5041.0 mi10.7 mph425 ft525 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The third stage along the Neisse is in the style of a river cycle path with almost no gradients and even slightly downhill on long stretches. On this stage, too, we recommend that you stock up on enough provisions at the beginning so that you are not surprised by hunger on the lonely paths through nature…
- 04:3047.7 mi10.6 mph700 ft800 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
At the beginning of the fourth stage you cycle from the center of Eisenhüttenstadt to the banks of the Oder. On the smooth asphalt of the Deichradweg you roll comfortably along the wide river. From the raised dyke you can enjoy wonderful views over the water and wide meadows.
After a small climb you will…
- 05:0956.0 mi10.9 mph400 ft450 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
After spending the night in Poland, you cycle back to Germany at the beginning of this stage and continue your bike tour on the Oder-Neisse cycle path. Here, too, you should stock up on provisions in Küstrin, as you cannot always rely on management along the route.
The pleasantly flat route takes you…
- 05:2454.1 mi10.0 mph1,175 ft1,100 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
From Schwedt you drive directly back to the Alte Oder and thus to the unique Lower Oder Valley National Park. If you don't just want to admire the wonderful polder landscape from a bike, it's worth stopping at one of the observation towers. With a little patience you can also watch birds there.
Finally…
- 05:0250.5 mi10.1 mph825 ft875 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The seventh stage of the Oder-Neisse Cycle Path begins slightly hilly. In steady ups and downs you cycle from Blankensee past picturesque fields and then immerse yourself in a romantic landscape of quiet forests and wide meadows. Through the tranquility of nature you drive past Lake Neuwarper and on…
- 03:3035.8 mi10.2 mph925 ft950 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the last stage of the Oder-Neisse cycle path, you can really take your time to enjoy the beauty of the landscape. The stage is relatively short and therefore a wonderful end to the bike tour.
Right behind Anklam, the nature reserve Peenetalmoor welcomes you, where lookout towers give you the opportunity…
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Distance376 mi
- Duration35:56 h
- Elevation6,150 ft6,925 ft
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