Built close to the water – the most beautiful cycling tours in Steglitz Zehlendorf

Along the nearly 19-kilometer-long, signposted "Dahlem Route" you can discover a colorful mix of many attractions. No matter if you are interested in museums, special architecture, nature experiences or cozy rest stops, you will get your money's worth on this tour.You start at the Botanical Garden. The huge and beautiful park alone is worth the visit to Steglitz Zehlendorf. In the center of Dahlem the next extraordinary garden is already waiting for you, the domain Dahlem. Agriculture has been practiced here for over 800 years.On the next kilometers special architectural settlements are on the program. The settlement of Uncle Tom's hut was built in the 1920s in the "New Objective Style". The forest settlement Krumme Lanke was built a decade later as "SS Kameradschaftssiedlung". Here you will find two popular bathing lakes: the Krumme Lanke and the Schlachtensee.On your way back you will drive through the Kiez Schlachtensee and over the Mexikoplatz to the grounds of the Free University. Again, you can admire some special buildings, such as the Henry Ford Construction. Shortly before your destination you will find the Luise Dahlem, a popular beer garden. From there you will soon be back at the Botanical Garden.

The 20-kilometer "Nikolassee Route" is all about nature. You drive on low-traffic roads through the district Nikolassee and much through the forest and the water. So do not forget to pack your bathing suit. On the way you will also find many ways to stop by.You start at the S-Bahn station Nikolassee and drive first to the Wannsee. There you can either get into the water at the Strandbad Wannsee or at another great swimming spot. The route makes a little dangling on the island of Schwanenwerder and then leads you to the Schlachtensee. In this remnant of the last ice age, you can also swim wonderfully.Continue to Mexikoplatz. The station of the same name was built in Art Nouveau in 1904 and is known for its distinctive dome. On the Lindenthaler Allee you drive to the museum village Düppel am Krummen Fenn. In this open-air museum, a village was reconstructed, in which you can recreate life in the Middle Ages 800 years ago.On the next kilometers you can let off steam on the bike. The royal road leads straight through the Düppeler forest. On the way, a bridge spans the highway. From the bridge you can see the former border inspection post Dreilinden. Before you return to your starting point, you drive once more to the Wannsee, where the popular beer garden Loretta am Wannsee awaits you.

The signposted "Wannsee-Babelsberg Route" is a real bicycle highlight on the edge of the southwest of Berlin. Along the 20-kilometer round are countless sights, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many that are closely linked to the special history of Berlin. It goes on long stretches along nature and water. You will find many opportunities for swimming and for culinary breaks.Starting point of the bike tour is the S-Bahn station Wannsee. You drive to the Great Wannsee, on whose shore the Liebermann villa is located and then cycle to the house of the Wannsee conference. Following the Havel, you pass the Peacock Island. With the ferry "Luise" you can translate to the island, but you must not take the bike with you. Continue to the Jungfernsee. On the way, several swimming spots invite you to refresh yourself on or in the lake.At the westernmost point of your tour you will drive to the Glienicke hunting lodge, which is surrounded by a beautiful park full of magnificent villas. Berlin is connected to Potsdam through the Glienicke Bridge. The bridge was made famous by the exchange of agents, especially the spectacularly staged exchange on February 11, 1986 went down in history.In Klein Glienicke you cross the Teltowkanal and drive a bit on the Potsdam side. On the way lies the great Babelsberger Park with its castle. You drive along the Griebnitzsee until you reach Steglitz Zehlendorf again. Stölpchensee, Pohlsee and Kleine Wannsee are on their way back to Wannsee S-Bahn station.

The more than 35 kilometers long "Dahlem-Nikolassee Route" connects the two signposted routes "Dahlem Route" and "Nikolassee Route". The round starts at the Botanical Garden, which alone is worth a visit. Via the center of Dahlem you meander along large avenues to the Krumme Lanke and the Schlachtensee.Do not forget to pack your bathing suit, because it goes on to Wannsee with its innumerable bathing places. Here the trail is a bit hilly and after short climbs with some beautiful views you can enjoy the slopes. You make a small round around the island Schwanwerder, before you reach the south end of the Wannsee. There you will find the Loretta am Wannsee, a very popular and traditional beer garden.On the Royal Road, you will drive straight through the Düppeler Forst. The Königswegbrücke spans the motorway and from the bridge you can see the former border crossing Dreilinden. Past the museum village Düppel you will reach again urban area. Your path leads you through several small parks, such as the Fischtalpark and the Dreipfühlpark and over the railing of the Freie Universität. Shortly afterwards you will reach the Botanical Garden again.

The "Nikolassee-Wannsee Route" focuses on nature. You drive for almost 40 kilometers through shady forests and along countless lakes that invite you to swim. In addition, some places of historical interest are on your way, such as the House of the Wannsee Conference. Hearty beer gardens, cozy cafés and quaint restaurants complete the tour. This tour combines the "Nikolassee Route" with the Wannsee "Babelsberg Route".You start at the S-Bahn station Nikolassee and drive a slightly hilly round to the island of Schwanenwerder. From Wannseeterrassen you have a great view of the Wannsee. Via the spinner bridge you drive to the Schlachtensee, a remnant of the last glacier time. Not far from the S-Bahn station Schlachtensee you will find a small, lively neighborhood with nice cafes. You drive over the Mexikoplatz and the Lindenthaler Allee and finally on the royal road, which leads you for several kilometers straight through the Düppeler forest.A short time later you reach again the Wannsee and the house of the Wannsee conference. The idyllic location belies the cruel history.The path now leads you along the Wannsee shore, where several swimming spots invite you to cool down. From the shore you can see the peacock island and if you want, you can take a ferry and translate it to the island. You continue along the water, first to the Jungfernsee, then to the Glienicker Lake, to the Griebnitzsee, to the Stölpchensee until you finally arrive at the Wannsee again. From there it is only a short walk back to your starting point.

On the almost 55 kilometer long "Great Berlin Southwest Route" you will explore the most beautiful corners of Steglitz Zehlendorf by bike. Berlin's southwest has much to offer: exciting museums, historic places, great restaurants, lots of nature and of course countless lakes that invite you to swim. This round trip combines the "Nikolassee Route", the "Dahlem Route" and the "Wannsee-Babelsberg Route".Start of the tour is at the Botanical Garden. Through the center of Dahlem you drive through interesting settlements, such as Uncle Tom's hut and the forest settlement Krumme Lanke. You have already reached the first lake. After the Krummen Lanke follows the Schlachtensee and immediately afterwards you arrive at the Wannsee. Great bike paths through the forest alternate with idyllic swimming.You drive on the south side of the Wannsee to the Glienicke Bridge, which became famous in 1986 through the last agent exchange. On the other side of the bridge is Potsdam. About the northern part of Babelsberg you drive back to the Wannsee, but turn right afterwards in the Düppeler forest. The royal road leads you straight through the forest and past the former border crossing Dreilinden.In the further course you meander through Dahlem again. Via the Fischtalpark and the Dreipfuhlpark you reach the campus of the Freie Universität with its interesting buildings. Past the Museum of European Cultures, you will soon arrive at your starting point, the Botanical Garden.