The route, just over 600 kilometres long, starts on the outskirts of Berlin and heads towards the Spreewald and Lusatia regions, then follows the Neisse River for a while before crossing over to the Polish side. Here, forests and lakes await before we reach the first foothills of the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains). Once you've warmed up, the first challenging climbs and serpentines begin. They gradually take you higher and higher.

After about 300 kilometres and a few metres of climbing, we are rewarded with a sensational view from the ridge of the Giant Mountains. The Schneekoppe is now only a short walk away. The summit itself is not accessible by bike. But if you are unhappy about this, you can easily reach the summit on foot from one of the mountain stations.

At an altitude of 1400 metres, you're now in the heart of the National Park, famous for its untamed rock formations and high moors. But it's not just the natural beauty that make this area a gravel lover's paradise. There are plenty of places to eat and drink to make sure you're ready for the second half of the journey.

From the crest of the Giant Mountains, which runs east-west and marks the border between Poland and the Czech Republic, we continue on the Czech side. We pass numerous waterfalls and canyons in the Jizera Mountains until we reach the German border and the Zittau Mountains.

After Bautzen, more than 450 kilometres away, the road flattens out, but the Upper Lusatian Lakeland Biosphere Reserve is anything but boring. Many lakes, large and small, offer opportunities for refreshment and rest. The last cultural landscape on our tour is the Spreewald. From here it is not far to our start and finish in Wernsdorf.