Old Mining Tour in the Niederlausitz Region

The Muskauer Faltenbogen in the eastern part of the Niederlausitz region can impress with a very diverse cultural and natural landscape. The area’s unique character is formed by its 400 lakes. Some of these were formed through mining activities that were first taken up in the area 170 years ago. The particular geological conditions allowed for lignite, clay and glass sands to be extracted through surface mining. High-quality products that were sold around the world, were produced in glass and ironworks, ceramics factories and pottery workshops.

On the Old Mining Tour near the glass-making town Döbern, cyclists will not only encounter impressive evidence of coal mining and processing in the past. The mining cavities have long since evolved into idyllic habitats amidst a typical heath and forest landscape. The tour goes through nature and landscape conservation areas with several information panels, on which geological peculiarities are explained. Literature lovers will be particularly interested in the famous shop in Bohsdorf that is prominently featured in the trilogy of novels by Erwin Strittmatter.

Length: 25 km / Duration: 2 hours

Start/finish: Old brickyard in Klein Kölzig

Logo / route sign: Mining symbol with brown folds on a blue background.

Direction: Train line RE 2 to Cottbus central station, Bus line 15 to the bus station, Bus line 851 to Döbern, Deutsches Haus, Bus line 851 to Klein Kölzig, Abzweig
Via: Groß Kölzig, Döbern, Bohsdorf, Felixsee, Bohsdorf, Bohsdorf Vorwerk, Klein Kölzig, Jocksdorf, Groß Kölzig

Cycling-by-numbers: Cyclists going on the full-day tour can use the signposting system based on intersection numbers. You will go past the following intersections, if you choose at the start/finish UNESCO visitor center Geopark  junction point 35: 34, 25, 29, 28, 18, 15, 16, 18, 28, 29, 43, 37, 42, 33, 32, 36, 35

Points of interest along the route:

• Visitor centre of the UNESCO Geopark Muskauer Faltenbogen, brickyard train and local history parlour in Klein Kölzig
• Cristalica glassworks and demonstration workshop in Döbern
• Felixsee observation tower
• Erwin Strittmatter memorial site “Der Laden”
• Monkey zoo in Jocksdorf
• St Mary’s Church in Groß Kölzig and Malxeniederung lowland

Tip: A detour to the Romy Schneider Museum in Klein Loitz (approx. 3 km) is recommended for film lovers. A detour to Hornow in the chocolate shop land of the Confiserie Felicitas (approx. 3.3 km) is worthwhile, especially for chocolate fans.

Restaurants:

• Restaurant "Deutsches Haus" in Döbern
• Country inn Paulo in Neisse-Malxetal OT Jocksdorf

Possible combinations:

• Lower Lusatia mining tour
• Pure country enjoyment between Neisse and Malxe
• Fürst-Pückler cycle path

 
Trail conditions/surface: not specified.

Maps/Literature:

• Flyer: Altbergbautour, published by: Niederlausitzer Heidemuseum Spremberg
• Geotouristische Übersichtskarte, Förderverein Geopark Muskauer Faltenbogen e.V.
• "Bikeline Radkarte Niederlausitz. Burg, Cottbus, Forst, Hoyerswerda, Lausitzer Seenland, Senftenberg, Spremberg, Südspreewald", 1 : 75 000, Esterbauer Verlag, Auflage: 1. (1. Februar 2012), ISBN-13: 978-3850003087, Euro 7.90