Following in the footsteps of electors and reformers

On the EuroVelo R1 cycle route, which runs from France to Russia, you'll encounter stories of the Reformation between Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Berlin. The tour takes you through the High Fläming region and past medieval castles, before continuing along the Havel River through the state capital of Potsdam to the metropolis of Berlin. Traces of the Reformation can be found, for example, in Bad Belzig at the fortified Eisenhardt Castle. In Luther's time, Eisenhardt Castle was part of the Wittenberg ducal estate. Important reformers lived in the town of Brück. In Berlin-Spandau, the Spandovia Sacra Museum of Reformation History and St. Nicholas Church are worth seeing. Here, in 1539, Elector Joachim II sealed Brandenburg's conversion to the Lutheran faith.

Length: 132 km

Start: Luther Wittenberg

Goal: Berlin

Logo / route sign:white sign with the green lettering "R1"

Arrival Departure: From Berlin Hauptbahnhof take the IC2185 (Leipzig) to Lutherstadt Wittenberg (approx. 45 minutes).

Course: Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Raben, Bad Belzig, Brück, Beelitz-Heilstätten, Werder (Havel), Potsdam, Berlin

Things to see and know:

• Raben: Village church, Hoher Fläming Nature Park Centre, Rabenstein Castle
• Grubo: Fieldstone church
• Bad Belzig: Roger Loewig House, Briccius Church, Eisenhardt Castle, St. Mary's Church, spa gardens
• Bridge: Natural swimming pool
• Beelitz-Heilstätten: Heating and power plant, treetop walkway "Tree & Time"
• Ferch: Fishermen's Church, Museum of the Havelland Painters' Colony, Japanese Bonsai Garden
• Petzow: wash house, castle, estate park
• Potsdam: Steam Engine House, Natural History Museum, New Market, Film Museum, Harbor, Friendship Island, St. Nicholas Church, Villa Schöningen, Glienicke Bridge

Possible combinations

• Berlin-Leipzig cycle route
• Tour Brandenburg
• Cycle Routes Historic City Centers 4
• Havel cycle path
• Wall Trail

Road condition / route development: The route mostly follows natural paths or forest tracks, some sections are unpaved. The terrain is hilly in the High Fläming region.

Maps / Literature: "bikeline cycling tour book: European cycle route R1: From Arnhem via Berlin to Küstrin an der Oder", 1:75.000, Esterbauer Verlag, Edition: 5th edition (12 June 2015), ISBN-13: 978-3850001298, 13,90 Euro