Odra - Nysa

One route, two rivers, three countries...
From the source of the Neisse River in Nová Ves, Czech Republic, to Ahlbeck on Usedom, a 630-kilometer trail leads from the Jizera Mountains along the Polish-German border to the Baltic Sea – ideal for those seeking a variety of experiences.

The German Oder-Neisse Cycle Route (Oder-Neiße-Radweg) begins in the Czech Jizera Mountains, not far from Nová Ves. From here, the route descends towards the tripoint of the Czech, Polish, and German borders. The first major point on the route is Zittau, known for its beautiful Baroque townhouses.

In the vicinity of Hohensaaten, the trail runs along the Hohensaaten-Friedrichsthal Canal, parallel to the Oder. After passing through Lunow and Stolzenhagen, you enter the Uckermark, home to Germany's only floodplain national park, the Lower Oder National Park. From a distance, you can see the Stolper Turm tower, which offers a view of the entire valley all the way to the Polish side. In Criewen, it is worth visiting the visitor center, which presents the nature and history of the region in an interactive way.

Good to know: in autumn, thousands of cranes gather in the Oder valley, and in winter they are replaced by hundreds of whooper swans – one of the most spectacular natural spectacles in the region.

A few kilometers away lies Schwedt/Oder – the city of the national park. The local Uckermärkische Bühnen theaters offer a rich repertoire throughout the year, and in summer, the popular open-air Oder Valley Festivals take place. Canoeing tourism has also developed here – from mid-July to mid-November, you can go on an organized trip down the unique waters of the park.

The next towns on the route are Gartz (Oder) and Mescherin. From Staffelde, you can go to Szczecin – via the "green border" crossing or the bridge over the Western Oder in Mescherin to Gryfino.

Penkun, known as the gateway to Vorpommern, is surrounded by lakes and hilly terrain ideal for short trips. In the center stands an impressive castle with a museum. The route then continues to Löcknitz, where the castle tower offers a view of the Randow Valley. Through the "Am Stettiner Haff" Nature Park, the route leads through heathland and fishing villages to Ueckermünde, a seaside resort with a promenade, museum, and typical maritime atmosphere. The trail then leads to the Hanseatic city of Anklam, located in the Piana Valley Nature Park.

Beyond Anklam begins the island of Usedom. Known for its wide beaches and dunes, it also offers wild cliffs, old forests, peat bogs, and tranquil lakes. The Usedom Island Nature Park is home to natural habitats for white-tailed eagles and otters, which are particularly numerous in the Achterwasser bay.

More informationOder-Neiße-Radweg - TMU(in English or German)