The Havelland, with its endless flat meadows, fields and mixed forests, is one of the most beautiful landscape conservation areas in Brandenburg. The large lowland is surrounded by the Havelbogen and lies in the basin of the Berlin Urstromtal, which was formed during the last ice age about 18,000 years ago. The Havel, 334 kilometres (207 mi) long, rises in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and flows in an arc before joining the Elbe River. Thus, its source and mouth are only 94 kilometres (58 mi) apart. The Havel flows through numerous lakes and fantastic landscapes and you can explore them on the Havelland Cycle Path.

The Havelland Cycle Path connects Berlin-Spandau with Havelberg and leads you 142 kilometres (88 mi) through the Krämer Forst Regional Park and the Havelländisches Luch to the Westhavelland Nature Park. For this Collection, I’ve divided the Havelland Cycle Route into three stages and planned two additional Tours to complement the route. You can start your journey in Berlin city centre and finish at Bad Wilsnack railway station. Havelberg doesn’t have train connections. If you like riding long distances and want to spend a day in Havelland, you can also complete the 182-kilometre (113 mi) Tour in one go. There are also several sites along the Havel where you can pitch your tent for the night.

As you ride through the Havel lowlands, you'll pass through small Mark Brandenburg villages such as Nauen and Ribbeck, made famous by Fontane's poem ‘Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland’, as well as the historically important town of Rathenow. In the Havelländisches Luch, an extensive lowland moor landscape with peat soils crossed by small ditches and canals awaits. Lined by poplars and black alders, the small canals run through the grassland. The Great Havelland Main Canal, which is primarily used for irrigation and drainage of the Havelland lynx, is regulated by eight large weirs.

At Rathenow, the Havelland Cycle Path leads you north through the Westhavelland Nature Park. Following the Havel, you pass the Gülper See, which is located in the largest contiguous inland wetland in Central Europe and is a nationally important area for birdlife. Every year, tens of thousands of geese, cranes, ducks and waders come here to rest during their strenuous migration. You'll also get very close to Germany's darkest night skies in Gülpe – a great place for stargazing.

The Havelland Cycle Route ends in the Hanseatic town of Havelberg. You can continue on the additionally planned stage along beautiful cycle paths through the forest until you reach the train station in Bad Wilsnack.