Let's hike to the Rakotzbrücke (or devil's bridge) (17 to 20 km)

Let's go to the Lausitz and experience its unique mix of gardening architecture and heavy industry.

We'll meet at 10:35 at the train station Weißwasser (Oberlausitz). That station can be reached by hopping in Berlin on the RE2 train (leaving Berlin Hbf at 8:23) and changing to the RB 65 in Cottbus.

From Weißwasser, we will:

• ... walk through the special landscape of the area, shaped by its industrial heritage, particularly lignite mining and brick production, which transformed the landscape through vast open-pit mines, artificial lakes, and reforested areas, now integrated into parklands and nature trails.
• ... walk towards the Kromlau Park, featuring the Rakotzbrücke. Also known as the "Devil's Bridge," is a 19th-century stone bridge in Kromlau Park, Germany, renowned for its perfect semicircular arch that forms a complete circle when reflected in the water. Built for aesthetic rather than functional purposes, it exemplifies the Romantic fascination with harmony between architecture and nature.
• ... walk towards Bad Muskau, known for the expansive Fürst-Pückler-Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau. It blends English landscape garden principles with natural topography, spanning the German-Polish border and showcasing visionary 19th-century landscape design.

If we have been hiking quickly enough, we can take from Bad Muskau the historic railway leaving at 15:15 back to Weißwasser. Then, we can be back in Berlin around 18:30. Alternatively, we can take a bus one hour later to reach Berlin around 19:30.

Theoretically, if a later return to Berlin is okay for you, it will be also possible to go to the "Polenmarkt" on the polish side of the border.

Important things to note:

• You can use a Deutschlandticket to reach Weißwasser.
• The ticket for the historic railway is 9 Euro.
• This is an average hike with a longish distance. Thus, you should wear suitable shoes. Please expect some muddy or sandy ground here and there.
• You are all responsible for yourself. None of us is mountain guide or something like that.
• There won't be too many Späties around, so have enough water and food with you.
• Please understand that the number of spots on this hike is limited. Hikes are only fun in small-ish groups. Thus, please only sign up if you are sure that you will come. If there is a wait list, feel welcome to join the wait list. However, please also remove yourself from the waitlist in case you have made other plans. Otherwise you might get a spot without being able to take part.