The best MTB trails around Briesener Lake

Practical starting point for information 🤙

Really charming landscape 🤙

A really nice tour!!

small tour for the evening to relax

If you let yourself drift a little northeast along the Gurkenradweg (Cucumber Cycle Path), you'll come to a place so unspectacular that it's almost something special: the Schäferteich (Shepherd's Pond). No swimming area with a kiosk, no camping bustle, no sign with eight prohibitions – just water, forest, and wind. The pond lies quietly and elongated along the edge of the Spree, within sight of Hartmannsdorf. The path there is easy to navigate – compacted earth, softened in places by rain, but overall solid. The view opens up with every meter, until the surface of the water suddenly appears almost like a small lake. Forest edges to the left and right, a few old fishing boats to the north. No noise, no concrete. Those who rest here can hear the rustling of leaves and the gentle lapping of the waves. Birdsong is omnipresent – geese, ducks, sometimes even cranes passing through. Especially in the early morning hours or in the faint evening light, an almost melancholy calm hangs over the pond. Ideal for a sandwich from your backpack, a long look over the water and a deep breath of Spreewald air.

Alt Zauche Mill Tradition, bike racks, and Spreewald hospitality – a stop that stays with you Anyone traveling along the Gurkenradweg (Gherkin Cycle Path) and passing through Alt Zauche by chance (or purposefully) should definitely stop at the lovingly restored mill. The place looks almost like something out of a picture book: two large log cabins with curved roofs, dark wood on the outside, and warm hospitality on the inside. In front of it, a mighty mill wheel – today more decorative than functional, but still impressive. The mill is not a museum, but a lively inn with its own unique style. Those who take a seat outside on the wooden benches are treated to a true Spreewald experience: Spreewald beer, freshly tapped, and pickles to eat. No frills, no gimmicks, just honest food, honest prices, and honest people. The menu is down-to-earth, the service attentive but not intrusive. Those looking for regional classics will find what they're looking for. Cyclists aren't second-class guests here—quite the opposite. The bike rack area is spacious, there are shady spots, and e-bikes are also accommodated. Those who love their bikes will feel right at home here. Flowers in small vases sit on the tables, with bread baskets next to them, often with pickled cucumber slices as a greeting. The interior is rustic and cozy, while outside, the light alternates between the parasols and birch trees. The mill is ideal for both a quick stop with a drink and a longer lunch break. If you're lucky, you'll meet locals at the next table who are happy to talk about the place, the water level, and old stories. If you're unlucky, you'll encounter rain—but even then, you'll still be sitting here dry and comfortable.

Great sand and warm water!

The gateway to the Spreewald (Alder Forest)