Berlin Wall Trail Cycle
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berlin wall trail cycle A UTracks active holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It’s about walking or cycling the incredible trails of Europe and becoming completing immersed in your travel experience. Since we began in 2006, UTracks has been the leader in active European holidays. Our itineraries have always been creative, rewarding, and very affordable. With over 450 active trips across the continent, UTracks offers unique opportunities explore europe your way to discover an untrodden Europe that spans postcard‑perfect landscapes, centuries‑old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting gastronomic delights. You can choose to set your own pace on a flexible self guided journey or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a small group tour. We cater to all fitness abilities with our honest graded system that defines our trips from introductory to challenging. Plus we offer exceptional value with many inclusions on all our trips, allowing you more freedom to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders of Europe. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2‑star or 4‑star, small group or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks helps you explore Europe exactly the way you want. TRIP COST TRIP NAME: BERLIN WALL TRAIL CYCLE Joining Oranienburg Germany from : $1240 TRIP CODE: BER Trip Concludes: TRIP DURATION: 5 DAYS Oranienburg Oranienburg Berlin GRADE: INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE ‑ 2 All prices are per person Potsdam Teltow OPTIONS & ACTIVITY: SELF GUIDED CYCLING SUPPLEMENTS ACCOMMODATION: 4 NIGHTS IN 3‑4 STAR HOTELS Electric Bike Supplement: $170 DATE DETAILS: WEEKLY ON SUNDAY FROM 3 MAY TO 20 SEP Single Supplement: $350 As the trip price is based on twinshare, highlights a single supplement is payable if you are not sharing with a friend / Discovering the grand sites, hidden gems and incredible history of Berlin at handlebar level family member ‑ or a single traveller Cycling along the former border line between East & West Germany supplement if you are travelling solo*. Please refer to the price options for Potsdam and the impressive grounds of Sanssouci Palace costs or ask our office for details. Experiencing Berlin’s unique neighbourhoods Note regarding single rooms ‑ The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in the trip some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. The Berlin Wall, a onetime symbol of division, now provides a peaceful path for cyclists looking to *The single traveller surcharge is only explore one of Germany’s most dynamic cities in an entirely different way. This urban cycle adventure available on trips deemed suitable will uncover the diversity of Berlin offering a unique insight into the numerous faces of the city, for solo travellers. It is usually more marked by historical adversity yet celebrated in the vibrancy of the landscapes and landmarks which expensive than the single supplement due to the extra cost for luggage define it. The 160km loop structure that was brought down in 1989 has now given rise to the Wall transfers and organisation. Trail (Mauerweg) and cycling along the former border line between East and West Germany is the IMPORTANT NOTES ideal way to stop and soak in the history of the many check points, that are now sites of interest, as DN1 - Other departure days on well as other fascinating relics. During this circuit ride from Oranienburg through Berlin and passing request for minimum 4 people. by important sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of peace, and Checkpoint Charlie, once DN2 - The last stage from Potsdam to separating the American‑controlled zone of West Berlin from the Soviet‑controlled East Berlin. The Oranienburg can be shortened by train ride along the former patrol roads takes in forests and grand parks, such as the World Heritage listed parks and palaces of Potsdam, namely the Sanssouci palace complex, where philosopher Voltaire once stayed and the Spandau Forest, on a circuit returning to Oranienburg. At night stay in comfortable hotels chosen for their location and service. © World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/13/2019 12:49:58 PM Page 1 berlin wall trail cycle itinerary at a glance Day 1 Arrive Oranienburg, just north of Berlin Day 2 Follow cycle route to central Berlin (44km/27mi) Day 3 Cycle past the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie to Teltow (59km/36.5mi) Day 4 Cycle to Potsdam, visit Sanssouci palace complex (30km/18.5mi) Day 5 Cycle through the Spandau Forest to Oranienburg (76km/47mi), trip concludes detailed itinerary DAY 1 Arrive Oranienburg, just north of Berlin On arrival in Berlin, take the S-bahn to Oranienburg, a journey of just under one hour. If you arrive early you may wish to take an excursion to the nearby Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial (free entry). Please note that if you arrive on a Sunday, the supermarkets and most shops are closed. Tonight is spent in Oranienburg. meals: NIL DAY 2 Follow cycle route to central Berlin (44km/27mi) Your first day’s adventure begins by cycling through the nature conservation area Tegeler Fließ and soon after you will join the Berlin Wall Trail (Berlin Mauerweg) proper. You’ll come across your first watchtower and some orange steles, which are common along the route and provide information about people who lost their lives trying to cross the wall. Following the boundary of the wall you pass through forest on your way to Wedding. The trail continues to the former border crossing Invalidenstrasse. As you arrive into the city you will find Bernauer Strasse, where you will see your first sections of the old wall as well as memorials dedicated to showing the impact it had on the lives of residents. On the Kronprinzenbrücke the path leads over the Spree river up to the Reichstag and to the grand 18th-century Brandenburg Gate, an iconic symbol of reunification and peace. You are now in the middle of Berlin! Divided during the Cold War, today Berlin has a vibrant art scene and nightlife. Reminders of the city’s turbulent history include the Holocaust Memorial, the graffiti-ed remains of the Berlin Wall, and its eclectic architecture. A truly fascinating city to explore, don’t miss the Schloss Charlottenburg, World Heritage listed Museum Island and Mies van der Rohe’s landmark Neue Nationalgalerie. meals: B DAY 3 Cycle past the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie to Teltow (59km/36.5mi) Today’s ride heads through the heart of the city of Berlin. From the Brandenburg Gate you continue to follow the path of the former Berlin Wall. Take time to enjoy the sights in the city centre including the Gendarmenmarkt before continuing to Potsdamer Platz city square. Continue to the former border control Checkpoint Charlie, where you may want to visit the Border Museum. From there, follow the path of the former Wall alongside the city district of Kreuzberg, over the Spree River, to the Ostbahnhof. Here you will find a remnant of the Berlin Wall called The East Side Gallery, which has been transformed into a wall of art. It is the largest remaining section of the wall. You may want to make a quick stop at the Soviet monument in Treptow Park before continuing through Treptow’s small summer garden area to the former Sonnenallee border crossing (which featured in Leander Hausmann’s 1999 film of that name). The first German airport for engine- powered airplanes was built in 1909 in nearby Adlershof. Once you reach Schonefeld, continue past Bukow and outlying areas to Teltow. Overnight in or near Teltow. meals: B © World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/13/2019 12:49:58 PM Page 2 berlin wall trail cycle DAY 4 Cycle to Potsdam, visit Sanssouci palace complex (30km/18.5mi) Today’s ride is shorter to allow you more time to explore the many sights in Potsdam. Cycle the route of the ‘Stammbahn’, the first Prussian train to run from Potsdamer Platz to Potsdam in 1838. Along the way you will pass the former border control point of Dreilinden. Crossing over the Konigsweg you will cycle through the Berlin forest towards Babelsberg and Potsdam. The ride diverts from the main Berlin Wall Trail so you can view the Glienicke Bridge, where spies were exchanged, from a different angle (you will ride over it tomorrow morning). In the afternoon, you can explore this former royal capital and garrison town or visit the Sanssouci palace and terraced gardens. Overnight in Potsdam. meals: B DAY 5 Cycle through the Spandau Forest to Oranienburg (76km/47mi), trip concludes Today’s ride is mostly along the Havel River following the well marked Havel River cycle route. For a section you will leave the Berlin Wall Trail to enjoy the more scenic option along the river. From Potsdam, cycle through the hills, park and lake landscape designed by Lenné and Schinkel, past the Glienicke Bridge and then by ferry (own cost) across the Havel to Kladow. Follow the former border through the Großglienicker Heide to Staaken. From Staaken, the route continues through the Spandau Forest to Nieder Neuendorf and Henningsdorf. Here you will leave the Berlin Wall Trail and follow the Berlin to Copenhagen bike path back to Oranienburg. The trip concludes on arrival at the joining hotel. meals: B inclusions 4 breakfasts ‑ buffet style with breads, spreads, cheese, often meats and cereals, coffee, tea, juice 4 nights in 3‑4 star hotels on a twinshare basis with ensuite facilities Rental bike with 2 panniers and repair kit (electric bike available on request ‑ supplement applies) Luggage transfers Information pack including route notes and maps (one set per room booked) Emergency hotline GPS Data on request items not included Travel to/from Oranienburg Lunch and dinner daily Drinks Travel insurance ‑ mandatory Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.