The best cycling routes around Turnow-Preilack

Swan Lake 😉

This section is like a silent film on a continuous loop: a narrow strip of asphalt winds through rolling fields lined with corn, poppies, and cornflowers. In summer, the ears of corn dance in the wind, sometimes accompanied by the soft chirping of crickets—an almost meditative moment on the bike. It smells of dry earth and fresh vegetation, and the light changes depending on the time of day: cool and clear in the morning, shimmering at midday, warm and golden in the evening. Those who cycle here needn't expect anything great—just what's there: vastness, tranquility, movement at their own pace.

Lake Garkoschke is a quiet stroke of geological and industrial history. Where families splash around today and cyclists dip their weary legs in the water, there was once a blown-in sand dune from the last Ice Age. The wind carried the fine sand from the Lieberoser Heide and deposited it here – in the heart of Lusatia. Much later, in the 1970s, humans intervened again: stable building ground was needed for the new Peitz-West development, and the sand came – how convenient – from the old dune. What remained was a pit that filled with water and became a lake. What today appears to be a natural idyll is man-made – but with respect for the landscape. Lake Garkoschke demonstrates how industrial intervention can become a place of relaxation. Birch trees, alders, and reeds now grow along the shore, and the sandy beach offers enough space for bathers, cyclists, and quiet connoisseurs.

Anyone traveling from the center of Peitz toward Turnow or Lake Koschkse will sooner or later cross the Malxe River. The small, wooden bridge just beyond the railway embankment is unspectacular—and precisely for that reason worth mentioning. It's here that you transition from urban settlements to a much greener stretch, along farm tracks and through wet meadows. The bridge itself has its own rustic charm—with graffiti, bolt construction, and the clattering sound of wooden planks as you cross. Below, the Malxe River ripples at a leisurely pace; upon closer inspection, you can spot river mussels and aquatic plants in its clear, brown-green waters. A look over the meadows to the right is worthwhile—depending on the season, storks or grey herons might be seen here. A brief moment to catch your breath before continuing on: south to Teichland or west to Lake Koschkse.

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.

A round trip takes about 2 hours. The ship is a paddle steamer.

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