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Top 11 of the most beautiful bike tours along the waterside in Berlin

Bike tours along the lakes of Berlin

Reinickendorf, Tegeler Fließ
© visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

You can discover the numerous lakes in Berlin and the green surrounding area wonderfully by bike. There are developed routes through the city and routes that lead through forests and along fields. But all the bike routes we have put together for you here have something in common: at some point they will lead along a lake, a river or a canal. And, of course, they will always lead you to exciting sights and attractions

Tip 1: Dahlem Route

Amerikasee im Botanischen Garten
Amerikasee im Botanischen Garten © Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem, Foto: I.Haas

The numerous lakes in Berlin and the green surrounding region can be discovered wonderfully by bike. The Dahlem Route takes you past the Botanical Garden, Dahlem Village and the Allied Museum - to name but a few highlights. And of course you will also pass lakes: the Krumme Lanke and Schlachtensee are on your way, so don't forget your swimming gear.  

Dahlem Route

Tip 2: Wannsee-Babelsberg Route

Matrosenhaus an der Wannsee-Babelsberg Route
Sailors' House on the Wannsee-Babelsberg Route © Wirtschaftsförderung Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Foto: Steven Ritzer

This route crosses the Dahlem Route, but is definitely worth another day. It is a real lakes route: You ride along the banks of the great Wannsee and the Havel and on the way back, you pass the Griebnitzsee and the Stölpchensee. In between, you cycle right through the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin" and past places steeped in history. And again: Don’t forget your swimwear!

Wannsee Babelsberg Route

Tip 3: Nikolassee Route

Museumsdorf Düppel
© Wirtschaftsförderung Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Foto: Steven Ritzer

Peace and quiet in Grunewald, various bathing spots and a trip back in time to the German partition at Checkpoint Bravo Dreilinden - all this is offered by the 19-kilometre tour in south-west Berlin. With a short detour to the Museumsdorf Düppel you will learn more about the beginnings of Berlin. How did people live 800 years ago? How did they work? These and other questions are answered by the open-air museum, which is unique in Germany.

Nikolassee Route

Tip 4: Discovery tour along the Spree

Holzmarkt 25
Bank of the Holzmarkt © Studio Eyecandy/Holzmarkt 25

Even in the middle of Berlin there is a lot of water - why not cycle along the banks of the Spree. The tour starts at Frankfurter Tor and takes you past some of the most beautiful panoramic spots on the Spree. The section between Elsenbrücke, Oberbaumbrücke and Holzmarkt is particularly beautiful.

Along the Spree

Tip 5: Long-distance bike route Berlin-Copenhagen

Reinickendorf, Tegeler See
Reinickendorf, Tegeler See © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

This route could take you all the way to Copenhagen, but first it does take you past Lake Tegel and the beautiful Havel River if you follow the Berlin section. You can follow this route all the way to Hennigsdorf and always have the water on your right. The route is marked with the blue-white-red logo of the long-distance cycle path.

Berlin-Kopenhagen

Tip 6: Bike tour through Treptow-Köpenick

Köpenick palace with a pond
Köpenick palace © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

The south of Berlin awaits you with parks, the old town of Köpenick, castles and leisure opportunities. Finding a nice resting place on the way shouldn't be too difficult. And if you like it a bit more sporty, expand your tour to the Müggelsee and rest in the fresh water.

Bike tour through Treptow-Köpenick

Tip 7: Bike tour through Reinickendorf

Schloss Tegel
© BA Reinickendorf

This tour takes you to the north of Berlin. Along the Tegeler See and Berlin's oldest tree to the Märkisches Viertel, you will travel a good 21 kilometres on mainly paved roads. A small detour to Tegeler Schloss is definitely worthwhile. The prime example of classicist architecture was the parental home of the Humboldt brothers. And as always in fine weather: don't forget your swimming costume!

Bike tour through Reinickendorf

Tip 8: Bike tour through Steglitz-Zehlendorf

With the rowing boat on the Schlachtensee in Berlin
At Lake Schlachtensee in Berlin © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

This section of the Wannsee cycle route leads past enchanting castles, extensive parkland and beautiful lakes with many bathing opportunities. Right at the beginning is the Domäne Dahlem, an old manor house with a village green. Along splendid villas you continue to the Zehlendorf lake district. The Schlachtensee with its sunbathing areas and also the Wannsee offer bathing opportunities.

Bike tour through Steglitz-Zehlendorf

Tip 9: Water tour on the Dahmeradweg cycle path

Old town Köpenick in Berlin
Old town Köpenick © visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

You can easily get to the starting point of the Dahme cycle path with the S-Bahn lines S46 or S47. As the name suggests, the route follows the course of the little river Dahme, which you can follow to its source. You start in Berlin-Köpenick, where you can marvel at the City Hall and Köpenick Palace. Then it's off into the countryside. You could even plan a detour to the tropical indoor water park "Tropical Islands" on this route.

More about the Dahmeradweg

Tip 10: Spreeweg Circle - Shipping canal

medieval citadel in Berlin Spandau with moat
Citadel in Spandau © visitberlin, Foto: Wolfgang Scholvien

This medium-difficulty route requires some fitness. It takes you through a small park with a view of the Eiswerderbrücke, along the Berlin-Spandau shipping canal and along the Spreeweg. In between, make sure you make a detour to the Spandau Citadel. It is one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses throughout Europe: history comes alive here as you stroll through the grounds of the citadel.

Spreeweg Circle

Tip 11: Mauerweg at Heidekampgraben

Berlin Wall, memorial plaque after 1989
Berlin Wall, memorial plaque after 1989 © visitBerlin, Foto: Tanja Koch

The wall cycle path is also a must. There are many sections of the former Wall Trail that run along the water. One of these stretches is along the Heidekrampgraben. Here, the route is well developed and recommended in all seasons. Again and again you can have a look at the Spree. You drive along the Rummelsburg Bay, where you should take a detour to the Stralau peninsula.

More about this tour

Catrin Linde

Catrin

lives in Berlin for over 20 years and loves to travel the city. Preferrably by bike, she discovers the most exciting and interesting sides of Berlin. Across the city, across country and also off the beaten track. All posts