a few notes about the Rides…
Before you attempt any of the routes described below, please see the FAQ about why you should calibrate your bike computer!
Please also consider making a map holder for your bike before you head out. It will make your ride much more enjoyable.
Below is a brief description of each ride, and a link to the download area. Each guide is available individually in PDF format. Included is a trail map of the area, with the route clearly marked, and a cue describing the ride including the distance to each turn. A GPS track of the route (.gpx and .crs) and waypoints (.gpx) are available for each ride. The waypoints are marked on the map and the cue. Also available is a GPS basemap (.img) for each ride, which can be uploaded to your Garmin gps unit if it has mapping capability. Maps can be uploaded using the sendMap utility from cGPSmapper, which can be downloaded for free here. You can also try img2gps.
Wildpark More…
Click here for a Google Map preview of the ride
The Wildpark in Potsdam is a great place to ride for those living in Potsdam, and definitely worth the trip for those living farther away. The trail is generally flat, but the two climbs that lead to the top of Kletterberg and Schalereiberg will get your lungs pumping and your legs burning. They can be easily repeated if youre looking for more climbing. Wildlife in the Wildpark is somewhat scarce, but if youre lucky you might see deer, wild boar, and maybe even a fox. While working out the details of this ride in the spring, I also unfortunately observed countless mosquitoes. If you are planning to ride here in the spring, glasses are not recommended but required, and bug spray is also a good idea. There are generally not many people here in the Wildpark, especially east of the train tracks. Some sections of trail are quite beautiful, especially the few kilometers in the Pirschheide, which you enter just after crossing over Zeppelinstrasse at 12.2 km. Have fun!
Click here to download the ride and gps data
Forst Potsdam More…
Click here for a Google Map preview of the ride
Forst Potsdam is one of the nicer places to ride in the area. The scenery is generally pretty nice, and the trails are well maintained. There are two bigger climbs of around 50 vertical meters that take you to the top of Grosser and Kleiner Ravensberg, and there are nice views from both summits. One interesting thing to note: Kleiner Ravensberg is actually a few meters taller than Grosser Ravensberg! Generally you wont see too many people in Forst Potsdam, unless youre near the numerous apartments bordering the northeastern side of the park. Its not uncommon to meet joggers in this area, as well as the occasional bike commuter or recreational rider, but in more than 500 km of riding in Forst Potsdam I can count the number of encounters with other mountain bikers on one hand.
Click here to download the ride and gps data
Berliner Forst More…
Click here for a Google Map preview of the ride
The Berliner Forst is a really nice place to ride. The terrain is varied and the scenery is a step up from the other two rides in Potsdam. There is more single track here than the other Potsdam rides, including one section towards the end of the ride that lasts for nearly 2 km! The trail that parallels the Havel on the north side of the forest is very scenic and enjoyable. The trail on the south side of the island which follows the shoreline of the Griebnitzsee also deserves your tire tracks, but is not included in this ride. Wildlife in the Berliner Forst is also relatively abundant. If you ride in the morning the odds to see wild boar are pretty good, and there are at least two species of goats that inhabit the Berliner Forst, quite a sight to see so close to Berlin. There are relatively few people to been seen here, especially mountain bikers, as with the other Potsdam rides. Compared to the Grunewald, just up the road, this place is empty, most likely because its just a little bit farther from Berlin.
Click here to download the ride and gps data