800 km from Vienna to Berlin by gravel bike – in the footsteps of 1893
Start 28 August ’27 10:00 Vienna
Vienna–Berlin: on the 1893 line
In 1893 the pioneers of the distance ride covered Vienna to Berlin in about 31 hours, on roads that were not yet asphalted. The Supergrevet follows their line today on gravel and forest tracks: through the Weinviertel and the Thaya valley, over the Bohemian highlands and through Lusatia to Tempelhofer Feld. Self-supported, no classification, with a shared start in Vienna.
Route · Requirements · Schedule · What’s included · Registration · History
At a glance: Vienna–Berlin 2027
Sat, 28 August 2027 · Vienna → Berlin · around 800 km and 7,000 m of climbing · entry from €250 plus €50 tracker deposit
All the key facts, obligations and what to expect
| Start | Saturday, 28 August 2027, 10:00, Vienna-Floridsdorf |
| The evening before | Friday, 27 August, Vienna – arrival on Friday required: check-in and tracker handout are mandatory; the rest of the eve-of-race programme is optional (venue and time window to follow) |
| Route | around 800 km and 7,000 m of climbing, self-supported, shared start, no classification – 2025 reference line, re-checked for 2027 |
| Finish | Berlin, finish location to follow · no formal finish cut-off · finisher party as the official end: date and venue to follow |
| Entry | €250 until 28 February 2027, €265 thereafter – plus €50 tracker deposit (refundable) |
| Registration | opening soon – be the first to know via the newsletter |
| The challenge | The lines are designed so that riders who have previously successfully completed a Grevet series have a realistic chance of finishing by the finisher party. That is no guarantee of success. |
| Mandatory | including tyres from 35 mm, lights, equipment for an emergency bivouac, insurance covering rescue and repatriation, ID (T&Cs sections 11 and 20) · medical certificate recommended · recommended: a bike fit for a good riding position · more under Bike · Equipment and Preparation |
Questions about the ride, preparation or equipment? Write to us via the contact form – ideally with a few sentences about your background. We’ll advise you personally.
The course, length and elevation may still change before the start, e.g. after test rides or due to closures. The final track is released during event week. What counts are the T&Cs.
The line: map and sections
2025 reference line: about 800 kilometres from Vienna-Floridsdorf to Tempelhofer Feld. We re-check the 2027 line on test rides; deviations are possible. Six sections, organised by supply situation – in detail below at the stages.
| Section | km | Profile | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna – Znaim | ~106 | undulating, rolling | good (Hollabrunn, Znaim) |
| Znaim – Iglau | ~94 | steeper, highlands up to ~700 m | sparse (only Budwitz) |
| Iglau – Jungbunzlau | ~184 | mostly flat, fast | good in larger towns (Kolín, Nimburg) |
| Jungbunzlau – Zittau Mountains | ~110 | most climbing, steep, partly loose | good (Bělá, Mimoň, Zittau) |
| Zittau Mountains – Senftenberg | ~117 | rolling, then downhill and flat | patchy (Upper Lusatia) |
| Senftenberg – Berlin | ~189 | flat, long gravel tracks, often dry | patchy (Finsterwalde, Luckau, Baruth) |
Kilometres rounded from the 2025 line’s track (798.7 km). Profile and supply as a qualitative classification from the route description and 2025 scouting – empirical values, no guarantee of opening hours.
*Note on the route: the line described is the reference route of the last edition. For 2027 we re-check it on test rides; course, length and elevation may change in the process, as may happen due to weather, rideability, closures or official requirements. We make sure that the overall effort and riding time stay within the announced range. All participants receive the final track in event week, together with the route handbook listing supply and control points – deliberately not earlier, because we check the routes once more shortly before the start.
Lovingly scouted: the stages
From the Austrian vineyards via the Bohemian villages and castles to the endless pond and post-mining landscapes of Lusatia and the sprawling wind-turbine fields of the Mark – the Supergrevet offers impressive variety and leads you predominantly over fast gravel tracks.
Start: Vienna Floridsdorf (A)
Vienna is an attractive starting point. It’s best to plan an extra day for your arrival and explore the city beforehand – for example with a visit to the Sigmund Freud Museum at Berggasse 19. On race day the route then leads from Floridsdorf over the Danube Island and on quiet paths along the Danube wetlands quickly out of the city into the green.
S1 Weinviertel (A)
Austria’s largest wine region: rolling hills, wide open landscape, cellar lanes and vineyards. If you don’t take a break here, it’s your own fault.
Along the way: Fast gravel tracks, quiet stretches of asphalt and short climbs on loose ground alternate; the profile here rolls rather than demands. After about 60 km, Hollabrunn offers fountains, bakeries and inns – it’s still Saturday, and the shops are open.
Along the way: Fast gravel tracks, quiet stretches of asphalt and short climbs on loose ground alternate; the profile here rolls rather than demands. After about 60 km, Hollabrunn offers fountains, bakeries and inns – it’s still Saturday, and the shops are open.
S2: Waldviertel: Thaya Valley and the Iron Curtain (A)
The Thaya valley is a gorge with rock formations, steep hillside forests and numerous castles and ruins – especially impressive are Hardegg Castle with its defensive towers and the Kaja ruin. Just behind Hardegg runs the border with the Czech Republic; preserved tank barriers, boom gates and barbed wire make the Cold War atmosphere tangible.
Along the way: In Znaim (Znojmo) at the latest you should top up supplies and bottles. After that, supply becomes noticeably sparser for a longer stretch.
Along the way: In Znaim (Znojmo) at the latest you should top up supplies and bottles. After that, supply becomes noticeably sparser for a longer stretch.
S3: Highlands (CZ)
Behind the border, the Czech Podyjí National Park follows. The highlands are sparsely populated and shaped by agriculture – wide fields, small villages, forest in between. Here you can let your mind wander, even if the terrain becomes noticeably more undulating after the border.
Along the way: After the border the climbs become noticeably steeper; striking is the Mařenka hill with its lookout tower at about 700 m. Between Znaim and Iglau (Jihlava) only Budwitz (Moravské Budějovice) has supermarkets – the first longer supply gap, which many ride on Saturday evening or at night. The sparse settlement offers good bivouac options; at this altitude, reckon with cool nights even in late August.
Along the way: After the border the climbs become noticeably steeper; striking is the Mařenka hill with its lookout tower at about 700 m. Between Znaim and Iglau (Jihlava) only Budwitz (Moravské Budějovice) has supermarkets – the first longer supply gap, which many ride on Saturday evening or at night. The sparse settlement offers good bivouac options; at this altitude, reckon with cool nights even in late August.
S4: Central Bohemia (CZ)
Central Bohemia has a high density of castles and chateaux – and many fast gravel roads.
Along the way: Mostly flat and fast, through forests, across fields and past many ponds – you can make good progress here. In Kolín and Nimburg (Nymburk) you can restock well; drinking water is usually available in the towns at freely accessible fountains. If this section falls on a Sunday, not every shop is open; plan petrol stations as a fallback. In Jungbunzlau (Mladá Boleslav) a long break is worthwhile, because the climbing begins after that.
Along the way: Mostly flat and fast, through forests, across fields and past many ponds – you can make good progress here. In Kolín and Nimburg (Nymburk) you can restock well; drinking water is usually available in the towns at freely accessible fountains. If this section falls on a Sunday, not every shop is open; plan petrol stations as a fallback. In Jungbunzlau (Mladá Boleslav) a long break is worthwhile, because the climbing begins after that.
S5: Reichenberg Region (CZ)
In the border triangle of Germany–Poland–Czechia, mountains and volcanic cones shape the Reichenberg region. Wide views alternate with the temptations of hearty Czech cuisine.
Along the way: From here comes most of the route’s climbing. Bezděz Castle on its volcanic double hill is visible from afar; the final push to the summit is not part of the compulsory route. The climbs are partly steep and often loose – a gear ratio of 1:1 or lower pays off. Bělá pod Bezdězem and Mimoň offer supply.
Along the way: From here comes most of the route’s climbing. Bezděz Castle on its volcanic double hill is visible from afar; the final push to the summit is not part of the compulsory route. The climbs are partly steep and often loose – a gear ratio of 1:1 or lower pays off. Bělá pod Bezdězem and Mimoň offer supply.
S6: Zittau Mountains (D)
Here lie the traditional climbing passages of the Vienna–Berlin distance ride: deep gorges, rock formations and wide views, plus rest spots at springs and picnic areas.
Along the way: Rocky passages and steep ramps demand attention on the descents too. Zittau is the last good supply point before Lusatia. Anyone spending the night in the uplands needs a warm layer and bivouac gear – even in August it can get bitingly cool here.
Along the way: Rocky passages and steep ramps demand attention on the descents too. Zittau is the last good supply point before Lusatia. Anyone spending the night in the uplands needs a warm layer and bivouac gear – even in August it can get bitingly cool here.
S7: Upper Lusatian heath and pond landscape (D)
The numerous fish ponds in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Upper Lusatia are a gathering point for countless birds. On the paths, lined with reeds and shimmering lakes, you can watch sea eagles and kingfishers or hear the trumpeting of cranes. Giant prehistoric reptiles are no longer native here, but the Kleinwelka Dinosaur Park may make some look back nostalgically on their GDR childhood.
Along the way: Behind Zittau a few more rolling sections follow, then it goes mostly downhill and swiftly along long straights. Even so, Upper Lusatia is one of the longer passages without good supply: buy in the larger towns rather than relying on the next village. On Sundays many shops are closed – check the supply points marked in the track, including those off the line. Senftenberg is the last good opportunity before the post-mining landscape.
Along the way: Behind Zittau a few more rolling sections follow, then it goes mostly downhill and swiftly along long straights. Even so, Upper Lusatia is one of the longer passages without good supply: buy in the larger towns rather than relying on the next village. On Sundays many shops are closed – check the supply points marked in the track, including those off the line. Senftenberg is the last good opportunity before the post-mining landscape.
S8: Lower Lusatian post-mining landscapes (D)
Shaped by lignite mining, Lower Lusatia is searching for a new role. Open-cast mines have become wide lake landscapes, rusty excavators look like dinosaurs from prehistoric times, and signs often warn: „No entry. Risk of collapse.“ The future seems to be green: good gravel tracks run through large solar and wind farms.
Along the way: Behind Senftenberg it becomes lonely. Between lakes, solar and wind farms lies one of the longest supply gaps of the route; possible stops are Finsterwalde and Luckau. Between Luckau and Baruth there is little.
Along the way: Behind Senftenberg it becomes lonely. Between lakes, solar and wind farms lies one of the longest supply gaps of the route; possible stops are Finsterwalde and Luckau. Between Luckau and Baruth there is little.
S9: Wind turbines and pine monocultures (D)
Rolling out amid low stimulus density – that’s how the final stage through Brandenburg could be summed up. Actually perfect for winding down.
Along the way: Rolling out isn’t entirely without demands: pine forest, fast gravel cuttings and old military roads through Wünsdorf lead long and often dry through the Mark. Sandy passages are – by Brandenburg standards – rare. Baruth offers a supermarket and petrol station; in warm weather an extra water reserve is worthwhile. Behind Zossen the line runs along the Rangsdorfer See towards the city boundary.
Along the way: Rolling out isn’t entirely without demands: pine forest, fast gravel cuttings and old military roads through Wünsdorf lead long and often dry through the Mark. Sandy passages are – by Brandenburg standards – rare. Baruth offers a supermarket and petrol station; in warm weather an extra water reserve is worthwhile. Behind Zossen the line runs along the Rangsdorfer See towards the city boundary.
Finish: Berlin Tempelhof (D)
As early as 1893 the Vienna–Berlin distance ride ended at the customs house on Tempelhofer Feld. The house no longer stands, but the disused airfield remains a good end point. A lap of the field should still be manageable even in the greatest exhaustion.
Along the way: From the Rangsdorfer See it goes onto the Berlin Wall Trail and over quiet paths through Mariendorf and along the Südgelände towards Tempelhof. After days on empty paths, junctions, traffic lights and pedestrians come back into play – ride the final kilometres with deliberate concentration. We’ll announce the exact finish location for 2027 in good time.
Along the way: From the Rangsdorfer See it goes onto the Berlin Wall Trail and over quiet paths through Mariendorf and along the Südgelände towards Tempelhof. After days on empty paths, junctions, traffic lights and pedestrians come back into play – ride the final kilometres with deliberate concentration. We’ll announce the exact finish location for 2027 in good time.
Photos of the Vienna–Berlin distance ride
Surface profile
„Gravel“ has to stand for a lot these days – with us, gravel really means gravel. The line favours fine gravel paths and surfaced forest tracks and only deviates onto lightly trafficked roads for unavoidable connecting stretches. There are still short rough or rocky spots, especially in the Zittau Mountains; in Brandenburg the paths are long and often dry.
The route is planned with the free CXB route planner. It builds on open-source community tools and is adapted for gravel riding: gravel paths are highlighted across Europe so you can plan them deliberately. We’ve tested it extensively around Berlin and while scouting Vienna–Berlin. Supply points such as supermarkets, petrol stations and mountain huts are embedded directly in the track as POIs.
The route is planned with the free CXB route planner. It builds on open-source community tools and is adapted for gravel riding: gravel paths are highlighted across Europe so you can plan them deliberately. We’ve tested it extensively around Berlin and while scouting Vienna–Berlin. Supply points such as supermarkets, petrol stations and mountain huts are embedded directly in the track as POIs.
Elevation profile
The elevation profile is mostly undulating, with short, sometimes steep ramps instead of long passes. It gets noticeably steeper behind the Austrian-Czech border in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands and again between Jungbunzlau and the Zittau Mountains, where most of the route’s climbing lies. After that it’s mostly downhill and flat through Lusatia and Brandenburg – though it gets easier there mainly in the profile, not in supply and surface.
Route
How the line rides section by section is described above at the stages. The video gives an impression of the route.
Your bike: equipment requirements
For this route we recommend a well-maintained gravel, cyclocross or adventure bike; a hardtail MTB also works. A classic road bike with tyres of at most 25 mm is not suitable. In dry conditions an all-road bike is mostly a good choice, but in rain and mud you should use every available millimetre of tyre width; in Brandenburg the paths are long and dusty when dry. The route has wide forest tracks, fast descents on dusty paths and short gravelled ramps that can also get rougher at the top. Disc brakes give you sufficient braking power. We recommend tyres between 35 and 45 mm, as a semi-slick or with tread depending on your off-road experience; those wanting more comfort choose the wider option. The climbs are rather short but steep in places – we therefore recommend a gear ratio of 1:1 or lower.
Getting there
The start point is not far from Wien Floridsdorf station in the 21st district and is easily reached by regional train, S-Bahn and U-Bahn, and by bike from Vienna’s main station.
By train and bike: From Berlin, day and night trains run to Vienna, including the ÖBB Nightjet. Bike spaces on long-distance and night trains usually require a reservation and are often booked out early. So book early and check bike carriage for your connection directly with ÖBB or DB. Alternatively you can pack the bike in a transport bag; whether it then counts as a piece of luggage depends on the dimensions and the operator.
By coach: Some coach lines offer bookable bike spaces, but the number is limited. Check availability when booking, for example with FlixBus.
Arrival the evening before
We assume you’ll already arrive in Vienna the evening before – so that on race day you set off well-rested and without time pressure. Our eve-of-race programme takes place that evening: registration, a short briefing and tracker handout (exact venue and time to follow in good time before the start). Anyone who only arrives shortly before the start risks us no longer being able to hand out the tracker in time.The start point is not far from Wien Floridsdorf station in the 21st district and is easily reached by regional train, S-Bahn and U-Bahn, and by bike from Vienna’s main station.
By train and bike: From Berlin, day and night trains run to Vienna, including the ÖBB Nightjet. Bike spaces on long-distance and night trains usually require a reservation and are often booked out early. So book early and check bike carriage for your connection directly with ÖBB or DB. Alternatively you can pack the bike in a transport bag; whether it then counts as a piece of luggage depends on the dimensions and the operator.
By coach: Some coach lines offer bookable bike spaces, but the number is limited. Check availability when booking, for example with FlixBus.
Accommodation
There are plenty of places to stay in Vienna. When choosing, make sure you can store your bike safely overnight, and ask in advance if in doubt. On previous visits to Vienna we had good experiences with the design hotel Rioca . If you like it authentic: in 2022 our team stayed at the Neue Donau campsite – a bit noisy, but well located, with short cycle paths into the city centre and to the start. Please check directly with the operator whether a reservation is needed.
Departure
In 1893 the finish was the customs house on Tempelhofer Feld. The house no longer stands; from the field you can continue by U-Bahn and S-Bahn to the main station.
Vienna–Berlin explained
The self-supported ride through Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany revives the forgotten cycling classic, the Vienna–Berlin distance ride.
In 1893 the Vienna–Berlin distance ride showed what the bicycle can do: Josef Fischer took about 31 hours for the 582.5 kilometres. It was ridden on roads that were not yet asphalted – a gravel event avant la lettre. The Supergrevet Vienna–Berlin picks up on that: Original Long Distance Cycling.
On gravel tracks along the original checkpoints
We reconstructed the original route from historical documents. Where it lies today under trunk roads and motorways, we switch to gravel and forest tracks and stay as close as possible to the original control points. That’s why the line, at around 800 kilometres, is noticeably longer than the 1893 route – and closer in character to the ride of that time than today’s road.
You set the pace
Whether you chase Josef Fischer’s time – about 31 hours – or mainly want to enjoy the landscape and people along the way: you set your own pace. Everyone starts together on Saturday at 10:00; after that you decide when to ride, rest and sleep. For most that means at least one night out, often two. Plan lights, a warm layer and your supplies according to the gaps we describe at the stages. On long stretches, eat continuously before you get hungry, and drink before you’re thirsty.
Become part of cycling history
Gravel isn’t just the latest fashion from the USA; it has a history more than a hundred years old – and the largely forgotten Vienna–Berlin distance ride is part of it. The Supergrevet is therefore not just any gravel loop, but a cycling classic surrounded by many myths. A year after the long-distance horse ride between the two imperial cities, the 1893 ride showed how much faster the bicycle was than the horse, and contributed to the cycling boom in Austria and Germany.
Finish photo of Josef Fischer in 1893 in front of the Tempelhof customs house
The history of the legendary 1893 Vienna–Berlin distance ride: a milestone of cycling
The legendary Vienna–Berlin distance ride in 1893 marked the beginning of a new era for road cycling in Germany and Austria. Inspired by the success of a long-distance horse ride between the two cities, on 29 June 1893 bold cyclists competed over a 582.5-kilometre course. From Vienna to Berlin they crossed unpaved roads and were at the mercy of the forces of nature as much as of exhaustion.
The Munich rider Josef Fischer took the lead and triumphed as the first into Berlin, having completed the route in about 31 hours. The arrival of the winners sparked enthusiasm among thousands of spectators and impressively showed that the bicycle could overtake the horse in speed and endurance. The ride not only proved the durability of the then-new pneumatic tyres but also awakened broad enthusiasm for cycling as a sport and a means of transport. Manufacturers such as Opel and Michelin used the success for advertising campaigns and donated prizes in kind for the participants. The distance ride led to a cycling boom and is regarded as a pioneer of modern cycling culture.
Since 2022, cycling enthusiasts have been riding the route again as the Supergrevet – on gravel tracks, as a homage to the pioneers of that time.
Partners and support
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Vienna–Berlin 2027: frequently asked questions
When is Vienna–Berlin 2027?
The common start is on Saturday, 28 August 2027, at 10:00 in Vienna-Floridsdorf. Check-in with tracker handout is on the evening before, Friday, 27 August, in Vienna. The finisher party in Berlin marks the official end of the event.
How long is the Vienna–Berlin gravel route?
Around 800 km with roughly 7,000 m of climbing through Austria, Czechia and Germany, on the line of the historic Vienna–Berlin distance ride of 1893. The figures refer to the reference line of the last edition; we re-check it for 2027, and the final track is released in the event week.
What is the terrain like?
Gravel and forest roads, quiet country lanes, river valleys, the Zittau Mountains and long, dry gravel tracks in Brandenburg. Minimum tyre width is 35 mm; we recommend tyres as wide as your frame allows.
Is it a race? Is there a time limit?
No. There is no ranking and no formal time limit. The finisher party is the official end; riders who arrive later with the full route documented are finishers just the same. The route is designed so that riders who have completed a regional Grevet series have a realistic chance of arriving by the party – without any guarantee.
Is it self-supported?
Yes. Riders carry what they need and resupply on the way – there is no organised support, pick-up or rescue service along the route. Every rider carries a GPS tracker. Our media team is out on the route but cannot accompany individual riders.
What do I need to take part?
Long-distance experience on a gravel bike – ideally a completed regional Grevet series. Insurance, lights and kit for an emergency bivouac are mandatory; a medical certificate is recommended. Details are in the rules and terms.
How much does it cost?
Entry starts at €250, plus a refundable €50 tracker deposit.
How do I get to Vienna and back from Berlin?
By train or long-distance coach: Vienna and Berlin are both well connected by rail, including night trains. See the travel information on this site.
Is this ride right for you?
Write to us via the contact form, ideally with a few sentences about your background and your previous experience. We’ll advise you personally on preparation, equipment and whether this line suits you.
