The best hikes from bus stations around Innerer Unterspreewald

The Spreewald in Lower Lusatia is a unique natural landscape southeast of Berlin. A network of over 400 kilometers of streams, canals, and traditional water-lifting houses shapes the scenery here: picturesque waterways, green meadows, reeds, and colorfully woven house fronts. The region is best explored by punt, kayak, or bike, as this opens up perspectives on silently flowing streams, species-rich riverside meadows, and hidden villages. The local cuisine, centered around pickled cucumbers and hearty home-style cooking, complements the cultural experience: Spreewald cucumbers, mustard, herbal teas, and regional specialties invite you to linger.

Tropical Islands in the Spreewald is a tropical bathing and leisure paradise, located in the former airship hangar Brand-Neuendorf near Berlin. The facility was opened in 2004 and offers a holiday feeling under palm trees all year round – regardless of the outside weather or season. The central location is a gigantic tropical world where temperatures are constantly around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. Visitors will find a variety of water and sauna landscapes here: warm indoor and outdoor pools, slides, current channels, lagoons, as well as spacious sauna areas with various infusion and wellness offers. For relaxation, there are quiet loungers, tropical plants, and a calming atmosphere that conveys a holiday mood. In addition to the main area, there are theme gardens, palm groves, and decorative watercourses that enhance the feeling of an exotic holiday. Gastronomically, Tropical Islands offers various restaurants and snack bars that serve food and drinks in a suitable tropical ambiance.

At the Leibsch lock group, you can launch into the Spree (upstream and downstream) as well as into the Dahme diversion canal. You can drive directly up to the lock, and parking is also possible to a limited extent.

The barge lock was easy to lock through in July 2025 (in Leibsch they said the lock was closed).

Anyone paddling on the Spree will sooner or later reach the weir and lock system in Leibsch – and then face a choice: lock or tow. The self-service lock works surprisingly reliably, but requires some time, strength, and technical understanding. Large levers, clear indicators – those who dare will be rewarded with a piece of true hydraulic engineering practice. Alternatively, a portage route leads over several sturdy concrete steps, which, while easy to navigate, are quite challenging with heavy luggage or a loaded boat. You're rarely alone here – whether you're a local walker or other paddlers, a quick chat is almost guaranteed. The surroundings are well-maintained, and getting back into the water is easy with a little caution. If you want to take a break, there's a small, honest restaurant with a terrace right on the river nearby: self-service drinks, food is brought to you, all paid in cash. No tourist crowds, just real local charm and solid home cooking. Particularly recommended: jacket potatoes with linseed oil and quark, served with a cold wheat beer.

Anyone paddling on the Spree from Leibsch towards Schlepzig will pass through one of the region's most beautiful and at the same time most tranquil stretches near Groß Wasserburg. Here, the river meanders through the Wasserburger Spreewald nature reserve – a place where the landscape breathes a sigh of relief. The Spree is narrow, shallow, and crystal-clear in this section. The river meanders through meadows and floodplain forest, past dense reed beds, willows, and small oxbow lakes. In summer, dragonflies flutter above the water, and in autumn, colorful treetops reflect on the surface – a picture-perfect stretch for nature lovers. Water hikers benefit from the tranquility: there are no motorboats here, the current is gentle, and orientation is usually clear. Those who wish can briefly land – flat meadows along the banks are ideal for a rest. However, there is no infrastructure – no jetty, no trash can, no kiosk. Instead, there is all the more peace, birds, and a picture-perfect landscape.

Beautiful little lake with a weather shelter where you can spontaneously spend the night

Pichersee - small, idyllic heath lake near Köthen