The Berlin Wall divided the German capital and separated West Berlin from the territory of East Germany. Today, the remnants of the old border fortifications can be explored by bicycle along the 160 km long Berlin Wall Trail. The tour starts in the middle. Berlin at Potsdamer Platz. The route heads southeast through the city center to Schönefeld. From there, it continues west along the former border strip to... PotsdamMany memorial sites along the route tell compelling stories. The approximately 15-kilometer route leads through the former border region of Brandenburg's capital city. In Neubabelsberg, cyclists pass historic villas and skirt the media hub where major DEFA films were produced during the GDR era. A keen eye will notice the different paint colors on the Glienicke Bridge, a reminder of the former division between East and West and the exchange of captured spies in the bridge's center. From Potsdam, the route continues through Spandau to Frohnau, Berlin's northernmost point. Passing through Pankow and Wedding, the route returns to the city center. Perhaps the most interesting section, the 18-kilometer route runs right through the heart of the city, following the former dividing line through Berlin's post-war history.
route signs
There are no cycle path signs, but the route is marked with the following logo: an anthracite-colored bar on a white background. The words 'Berliner Mauerweg' (Berlin Wall Trail) are written on it, and a watchtower is depicted on the left.
road conditions/route development
Except for short sections along the Teltow Canal, through the Düppel Forest, and along the Tegeler Fließ, the route is entirely paved. It follows a former section of the Berlin Wall, parts of which are listed as historical monuments, and is suitable for cycling, but it is not comparable to classic, newly constructed cycle routes.
Map recommendation
- "Bikeline cycling guide: Berlin Wall Cycle Path", 1:20.000, Esterbauer-Verlag, ISBN 3-85000-074-5, 11,90 euros
