From Wriezen to Oderberg on the Northern Part of Alte Oder (canoe tour)

The northern Oderbruch region captivates visitors with its unparalleled natural beauty. The region’s charm is characterised by wide plains that were created as new land by means of drainage over the course of several decades on the one hand, and the hilly Barnim landscape with altitudes of up to 100 metres on the other hand. Gnarled trees along Alte Oder and large reed zones make for an unspoilt habitat for a diverse range of species. There are two towns along the way that are worth visiting: Bad Freienwalde and Oderberg.

Start: Wriezen, harbour
Finish: Oderberg
Length/duration: 26 kilometres / about 6 hours (1 to 2 days)

How to get there:

• Public transport: From Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof), take the RE3 to Eberswalde, then the RB60 to Wriezen (about 1 hour)
• Car: From Berlin, take the motorways A114, A10 and the country roads B158 and B168 to Wriezen (about 1 hour)

Return journey:

• Public transport: From Oderberg, take the bus no. 916 to Eberswalde, then the train RE3 to Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof) (about 1.5 hours)

• Car: From Oderberg take bus no. 873 to Bad Freienwalde, then the train RB60 (Frankfurt/Oder) to Wriezen to return to your car (about 30 minutes)

Tour description:
The tour starts at the original route of the river Oder in Wriezen’s harbour. The historic lime kilns are the town’s landmarks that can be seen from afar. Infrastructure of the Oderbruch region began to develop, when lime stone production was taken up in 1836. Fishing was another important area of trade that benefited from the abundance of water in the area around Wriezen.

After the first stretch on the new canal, the tour continues on Alte Oder. The river’s natural current that remains noticeable all the way to the destination in Oderberg makes for an easier journey. This means that you can admire the rugged lines of trees and the dense reed zones along the banks without having to work overly hard.

The bathing area at the Neugaul bridge or the next rest area thereafter in Altranft are your first opportunities to take a break on land. In Altranft you can visit the open-air museum with various historic buildings and the castle. A little further north, in Neutornow, you will find another good bathing spot. The famous poet Theodor Fontane spent a lot of time in his father’s simple half-timbered house in Schiffmühle that is open to visitors.

As the route continues in northerly direction and you approach Bad Freienwalde, you can see the hills of the Barnim region in the distance. Your last stop before reaching Oderberg is the bathing area in Bralitz. Another recommended activity is a visit to the inland shipping museum.  

Tip: A ‘tower diploma’ is awarded to those climbing to the top of all four observation towers of the nearby town Bad Freienwalde.

Nautical information: Easy, no motor boats, unspoilt landscape, remarkable flora and fauna

Maps/Literature:

• DKV-Gewässerführer für Ostdeutschland: Kanuführer für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Berlin, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen und Sachsen (DKV-Regionalführer), Deutscher Kanu-Verband; Auflage: 4 (1. April 2011), ISBN-13: 978-3937743288, Euro 19.95
• TourenAtlas Wasserwandern / TA5 Berlin-Brandenburg mit Spreewald: Oder, Havel, Spree + Nebengewässer", 1:75.000 & 1:25.000, Verlag: Jübermann, Auflage: 5 (5. Juli 2013), ISBN-13: 978-3929540666, Euro 25