Eighth Stage “Lower Lusatian Mining Tour”: Spremberg - Senftenberg

From the tranquil Spree town of Spremberg, the route runs along the northern edge of the active Welzow-Süd surface mine. From viewpoints in Wolkenberg, Steinitz and at Gut Geisendorf the size and towering equipment of the mine can be admired. 
At Pritzen you can discover impressive and ephemeral art works from two European biennials. The tour continues to Großräschen, where from the IBA terraces you can enjoy the panoramic view of the future Lake Großräschener See. Finally you reach the state-approved health resort of Senftenberg. Lake Senftenberger See is the best example of successful recultivation. The former surface mine was opened for tourist use more than 40 years ago. Guests have access to excellent bathing areas, numerous water sports facilities, marinas and an amphitheatre. 

Length: 67 kilometres
Start: Spremberg
Finish: Senftenberg

Logo/route sign: The route logo is the red Rekord devil.

Arrival: Take the RE2 from Berlin central station to Cottbus. From here continue with the OE65 to Spremberg (about 3 hours).
Departure: From Senftenberg take the RB24 (Eberswalde) to Berlin Ostkreuz. From here take the S5 to Berlin central station (about 2 hours).

Route: Spremberg, Papproth, Steinitz, Welzow, Neupetershain, Neupetershain-Nord, Ressen, Lubochow, Lubochowmühle, Pritzen, Kunersdorf, Woschkow, Großräschen, Dörrwalde, Sedlitz, Senftenberg

Please note that the route is currently being revised. A revised route will be available for the 2024 season.

Points of interest/background information:

• Spremberg: Castle with Niederlausitzer Heidemuseum
• formerly Wolkenberg: Viewpoint on the vineyard
• Steinitz: Steinitzer Treppe viewing platform, Steinitzhof
• Neupetershain: Gut Geisendorf
• Welzow: Welzow-Süd surface mine, excursio visitor centre, archaeotechnical centre, Welzow Window viewpoint at the surface mine, adventure tours
• Pritzen: Lake Altdöberner See, art landscape
• Großräschen: IBA Terraces visitor centre with pier, exhibition and vineyard, Victoriahöhe viewpoint, Allee der Steine
• Senftenberg: Castle and fortress with mining gallery and exhibition “Experience – Mining – Lakeland”, Lake Senftenberger See, town harbour, neue Bühne Theatre

Possible combinations

• Prince Pueckler Cycle Path
• Tour Brandenburg
• The “Plinsdorf” villages and new lakes
• From miner to sailor

Trail conditions/surface: 
mostly asphalted cycle paths and cycle roads, some sections also on side roads, unpaved paths or paved roads, some root break-ups, few gradients

Maps/Literature: “ADFC-Regionalkarte Niederlausitz mit Tagestouren-Vorschlägen. Mit kompletter Niederlausitzer Bergbautour und Fürst-Pückler-Radweg”, 1:75.000, Bielefelder Verlag, Auflage: 1 (1. April 2009), ISBN-13: 978-3870734664, Euro 6.80