The Havel Cycle Path – in 6 stages from its source to its mouth

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The Havel Cycle Path – in 6 stages from its source to its mouth

Cycling Collection by Havel-Radweg

days

1-4 h

/ day

454 km

1,450 m

1,490 m

A picturesque lake and river landscape accompanies the Havel cycle path through four federal states. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt enchant you with their fairytale-like scenery along the way. Wide forests in untouched nature reserves, clear lakes along the Havel River, stringing together like pearls on a string. Green river meadows, lush pastures and colourful fields that spread like patchwork rugs in front of you and in between towns and cities that provide cultural highlights.

The 371-kilometre Havel cycle path leads from its source in Ankershagen in the Mecklenburg Lake District to its mouth in the Elbe near Gnevsdorf in the Prignitz District. So that you can experience this jewel for yourself, we have put together the six stages of the Havel cycle path for you in this collection. The easy arrival and departure by bike to the start and end point of the cycle path is shown in two additional stages, which take you from Waren (Müritz) to Ankershagen and from Gnevsdorf to Wittenberge.

You can get to Waren (Müritz) comfortably by local and long-distance trains. From here you cycle on an easy route to Ankershagen to the source of the Havel. In six stages you then follow the river to its mouth in the Elbe. On the way you will find nice places to stop for refreshments on all stages. You will also find plenty of accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, holiday apartments and camping sites, both in the stage towns and along the route. If your strength or the weather on the way is not good enough, in many places you can change to public transport such as train or bus with bicycle transport. From the end point of the Havel cycle path, you then take the flat Elbe cycle path to Wittenberge, which is located on the Berlin-Hamburg railway line. Here you can hop on a local or long-distance train or take the S-Bahn to Magdeburg.

An exciting and varied cycling adventure awaits you all along the Havel. Have fun!

On The Map

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Havel Cycle Path

394 km

1,150 m

1,200 m

Last updated: November 15, 2024

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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The stages of the Havel cycle path

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Kick-off stage: From Waren (Müritz) to Ankershagen - Havel Cycle Path
01:46
30.5km
17.3km/h
120m
130m
Easy
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The kick-off stage takes you from the train station in Waren (Müritz) to the start of the Havel cycle path to Ankershagen. On this easy stage, you can curl up and enjoy the beautiful scenery. From Waren (Müritz) you drive past lakes and beautiful nature through the Müritz National Park. At the end you…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: From Ankershagen to Fürstenberg (Havel) – Havel Cycle Path
04:07
66.3km
16.1km/h
370m
370m
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Today the tour begins on the Havel cycle path, which begins in Ankershagen. After the first two kilometers you come to a fork in the road. Here you can make a detour to the Havelquelle. Afterwards you cycle further south past various lakes, which are traversed by the Havel. In good weather you can take…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 2: From Fürstenberg (Havel) to Oranienburg – Havel Cycle Path
04:23
76.1km
17.4km/h
240m
260m
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Immediately after leaving Fürstenberg (Havel), you will dive into a beautiful forest that will take you past Stolpsee and Sidowsee. Behind the lakes, you continue through wide forests, which clear up again and again and give you the view of picturesque fields. At the Great Wentowsee, the trees become…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 3: From Oranienburg to Potsdam – Havel Cycle Path
03:56
66.6km
17.0km/h
200m
210m
Ferry
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry.
On the shore of Lehnitzsee you cycle from Oranienburg and arrive in a beautiful forest area. You reach the banks of the Oder-Havel-Canal via various places in the Berlin area and finally the Havel, which leads you through the Berlin district of Spandau. A few kilometers further on Scharfen Lanke, maritime…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 4: From Potsdam to Brandenburg an der Havel – Havel Cycle Path
03:26
59.1km
17.2km/h
140m
140m
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
In Potsdam you cycle straight back to the Havel and follow its course. Forest lights line the banks of the river, which widens again and again to wide lakes. Here you can find in the middle of nature beautiful, hidden bathing places to refresh yourself in the water. About Werder (Havel), one of the sunniest…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 5: From Brandenburg an der Havel to Rathenow – Havel Cycle Path
03:57
65.2km
16.5km/h
160m
170m
Ferry
Expert
Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The route includes a crossing by ferry.
After leaving the last houses of Brandenburg an der Havel behind you, you dive into the beautiful forest that lines the shores of Breitlingsee. You drive through the forest right near the shore, so you can see the water glittering through the trees. You can also discover hidden swimming spots or beautiful…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 6: From Rathenow to Gnevsdorf – Havel Cycle Path
04:15
69.6km
16.4km/h
160m
170m
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Today, the last stage on the Havel cycle path is already on the way, taking you to the mouth in Gnevsdorf. Immediately after Rathenow you get back to the shore of the Havel, which no longer expands into wide lakes, but meanders happily through the landscape like a real river. It is accompanied by lush…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Final stage: From Gnevsdorf to Wittenberge – Havel Cycle Path
01:19
20.5km
15.7km/h
60m
60m
Easy
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
After you have driven the entire Havel cycle path from the source to the mouth, you can end this beautiful experience on the final stage, which brings you from the mouth in Gnevsdorf to Wittenberge to the train station.

Through idyllic stork villages you cycle on the Elberadweg. On smooth asphalt you…
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