Wasserturm and Pumpstation Tour – Cycling Tour to Grunewald and Spandau

Wasserturm and Pumpstation Tour – Cycling Tour to Grunewald and Spandau

Time: 15:00
Theme: Cycle Tour + Water Infrastructure + Industrial Heritage + Nature
Start: Water Tower Prenzlauer Berg (just opposite side of street from Umani restaurant)
Distance: 25–30 km
Suggested contribution: €5

Join me for a cycling journey from the centre of Berlin through Charlottenburg, the Grunewald and along the Havel, exploring the water infrastructure of Berlin.

This is a tour about water: where Berlin got it, how it was pumped, stored and cleaned, and how the infrastructure built to supply a rapidly growing city is still visible today.

We'll start at the best known Wasserturm in PBerg then tour past several others on our way to the the olderest surviving pumpstation in the city: the historic Wasserwerk Teufelssee, now home to the Ökowerk Nature Conservation Centre. We'll explore the remarkable surviving machinery and buildings of Berlin's oldest complete surviving waterworks, before taking a break at the nearby beer garden.
From there we'll continue north through the Grunewald, taking in the Grunewald turm and then along the Havel, eventually reaching Spandau.

The Tour
Berlin's growth in the nineteenth century created a huge problem: how do you supply a rapidly expanding city with clean water?
Our route follows the answer.
Starting in central Berlin, we'll cycle west towards Charlottenburg, where the development of wealthy new neighbourhoods created an urgent demand for a reliable water supply. Along the way we'll see the Wasserturm Berlin and make our way towards Grunewald and the historic Wasserwerk Teufelssee.
Built between 1871 and 1873, the waterworks originally supplied the new villa district of Westend. It was later expanded and became part of the municipal water system, eventually supplying large parts of southern Berlin. The machinery, filter halls, water tanks and other elements of the original complex have survived remarkably well.
Today the site is the Ökowerk Nature Conservation Centre, creating a fascinating meeting point between industrial heritage and nature. We'll take some time here to explore the site and have a drink at the nearby beer garden before continuing our ride.

From the Grunewald we'll head towards the Havel, following the landscape north towards Spandau. Along the way we'll see how Berlin's natural landscape has been shaped by infrastructure—waterworks, reservoirs, canals, roads and energy systems—while still remaining one of the city's great recreational spaces.

We'll finish in Spandau, where you can either take the train home or, if you're feeling energetic, continue cycling back into central Berlin.

I am an accredited tour guide in Berlin, specialising in telling stories about the city's industrial heritage. I ask for a contribution of €5 to organise the tour and share my knowledge.

Disclaimer: Please note that all participants attend as group members, not as customers, and are responsible for their own safety. Please read the group description in full for an explanation of the terms and liabilities.

The Cycling
This is a relaxed sightseeing ride rather than a sporting event. 🚲
We'll cover around 25–30 kilometres, with frequent stops for stories, photographs, drinks and discussion.
The route includes some unpaved paths through the Grunewald, so a reasonable bicycle suitable for light gravel or forest paths is recommended.
Anyone who is comfortable cycling around Berlin and is happy with a relaxed pace should be fine to join.

What to Bring
🚲 A bike suitable for some unpaved paths
💶 Cash for drinks or snacks
🌧️ Waterproofs (just in case!)
☀️ Suncream
🥪 Water and snacks
😊 Curiosity and a sense of adventure

Highlights
💧 Discover how Berlin developed the infrastructure needed to supply a rapidly growing city with clean water
🏰 See the spectacular Charlottenburg/Westend water towers, built to supply the expanding city and its new suburbs
🏭 Explore the hidden industrial infrastructure behind Berlin's development
🌳 Cycle from central Berlin through Charlottenburg and into the forests of the Grunewald
💦 Visit the historic Wasserwerk Teufelssee, Berlin's oldest surviving complete waterworks
⚙️ Discover the original pumping machinery, filter buildings and water-storage infrastructure preserved at the Ökowerk
🍺 Take a break at the Jungfernheide Wasserturm and enjoy a drink surrounded by the park
🌊 Follow the Havel and discover how Berlin's waterways shaped the city's infrastructure and expansion
🏙️ See how apparently natural landscapes are actually deeply connected to the history of the modern city
📖 Hear the stories of engineers, entrepreneurs and workers who built the systems that kept Berlin running
📸 Fantastic photography opportunities combining industrial heritage, architecture, forest and water
🚲 Finish in Spandau and choose whether to take the train home or cycle back into town
I estimate the cycle tour will take around 3 hours, including the stops.
Hope to see you there!
Simon