We’ve just completed nearly 500 kilometres cycling from Rostock to Berlin, and so far, it’s been our favourite cycling yet. It might have something to do the the fact that we’ve been blessed with much better weather, but the route itself is also hard to beat. For the first time this trip, the cycling felt easy (although by day 7 we were still pretty ready for a break).
We mostly followed the German section of the Berlin to Copenhagen route, which is also the German national route D11 and the Eurovelo route 7. We had heard that the German section of the route was much rougher than the Danish section, and not particularly well signposted. What we found instead was a really well signposted route that followed designated cycle paths, special designated cycling roads (fahrradstraß), single track paths through forests and quite backstreets.
The first section of the route passes through the Mecklenburg lakes districts, which have a series of very clear blue lakes. There are quite literally campsites everywhere and the Germans were still out and about in some numbers taking advantage of the last of the warm weather. We camped right next to the lakes a few times, and it was beautiful to wake up next to the mist covered water in the morning. It was really great to see some older couples walking down to the water in their dressing downs for an afternoon or morning nude dip!
As you go south the route winds it way through the enormous Maurtiz national park. The park covers around 330 square kilometres and preserves large stands of natural birch and beech trees, as well as former plantations. Because of this, a large portion of the route winds through forested landscape, with very little farmland.
Closer in to Berlin, through Brandenburg, the landscape becomes flatter and much more industrial (the region was formerly the largest brick producer in Europe and there is a network of old factories, canals and other infrastructure from this time). The region also has a number of concentration camp sites and former gestapo headquarters which are a stark contrast to the often beautiful landscape they sit in (see post).
To top it all off, the route also winds its way through many small and larger towns. This means you can stop along the way to pick up goodies from market stalls, cafes and bakeries. Oh and of course there is plenty of cold German beer available!
As is only apt, we finished the route entering into Berlin through the Brandenburg gate.
4ks an hour 