The best traffic-free bike rides around Teichland

Beautiful view of the Cottbuser Ostsee.

If you've ever wanted to experience how relaxing a straight line can be, the Nordumfluter cycle path is the perfect place for you. The path runs parallel to the canal of the same name – a straight ribbon through meadows, with expansive views and a well-maintained asphalt surface. Ideal for touring bikes, e-bikes, or relaxed family outings. Especially on hot days, the open landscape has an almost meditative feel. Accompanied by the babbling of the canal, you cycle through the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve without being interrupted by the hustle and bustle of tourists. Those seeking peace and quiet will find it here. Those who want to cover distance can do so too. Every now and then, forks invite you to take small detours – for example, to the locks or rest stops. Benches are provided at regular intervals, usually with beautiful views of the water. An ideal section to really take a deep breath.

Anyone looking for a break with a panoramic view will find it at Neuendorf Pond. The view sweeps over an almost oversized expanse of water, where the light, weather, and mood are constantly changing. Sometimes the sky rises dramatically, sometimes the sun glitters with quiet regularity on the water – and somewhere on the horizon, the towers of Jänschwalde smoke. A place that combines nature and industry in one image without hiding itself. The riverside path is easy to cycle, the paths between meadow and forest alternate between asphalt, firm sand, and the occasional gravel. If you like, you can stop at one of the small embankments – there is no designated rest area, but enough space for a roll and a few minutes of rest. The pond is part of the old fishpond industry around Peitz, embedded in a complex network of canals and dams. Not a postcard idyll in the classic sense – but a place with character. Ideal for those looking for something not just "beautiful" but also "interesting." And for a quiet observation break while the swans glide over the water and the clouds of smoke rise towards the sky in the distance.

Anyone cycling along the cycle path should dismount here for a moment. The Mauster gravel pit is quietly situated, almost hidden among the trees – and surprises with its clear water and a small island in the middle. Access to the shore isn't always easy, but there are some spots where you can easily reach the water. Ideal for a quiet break, a photo, or a brief pause. In sunshine, the trees reflect off the surface, and in the evenings, dramatic lighting is often created here. Not an official bathing lake, but a place that exudes natural beauty – even if it is man-made.

Anyone traveling along the cycle path along the emerging Cottbus Baltic Sea should briefly dismount here: The West Viewpoint offers a view of what was – and what is to come. Originally used as an open-cast mining lookout point, the small wooden hut with its metal staircase still stands in place. These days, you no longer see excavators, but a growing lake. The viewpoint itself is simple, but offers a covered platform with an information sign and a good overview of the western shoreline. The surroundings are currently barren and more functional than idyllic – a lot will certainly happen here in the coming years. Access is possible directly from the cycle path, although there is no bike rack. Anyone interested in landscape change, structural policy, or simply marveling at grand dimensions will find their money's worth here. There are no seating options, but the detour is worth it for a quick breather or a photo.

Those who leave Cottbus behind will be rewarded on this section of the Spree Cycle Path: a consistently well-developed cycle path runs directly along the Spree River – mostly on smooth asphalt, in places on firm, smooth fine gravel. The surface is suitable for touring throughout, even with luggage or a child in a trailer. The route winds through quiet meadows, sparse forests, and wide meadows – flanked, depending on the season, by reeds, poplars, or summery swaying grasses. Views of the Spree River, sometimes flowing gently, sometimes gurgling over shallow sills, are repeatedly offered. Refreshment options are scarce on longer stretches – so it's worth filling up your water bottle beforehand. This makes it an ideal section for just letting go: little traffic, few distractions, and plenty of nature.

This bench is ideal for observing countless swans, ducks, geese and other birds.

Beautiful view of the lake