Lignite mining.
Landscape change.
Energy future.
Where excavators once dug into the earth in numerous open-cast lignite mines, the adventure route COAL | STEAM | LIGHT | SEAS now runs. Between Lutherstadt Wittenberg and the Leipzig Neuseenland, it connects sites, providing insights into the history of lignite mining as well as industry and the remarkable transformative capacity of the Central German mining district from an ecologically devastated region to a scenic lake district with green industries. The route runs through a young landscape of contrasts: a future-oriented present that consciously plays with its past.
The COAL | VAPOR | LIGHT | LAKE - Route combines thereby also family offers with extraordinary attractions and photo motifs: Swimming fun at the numerous lakes on the route, for example, under the gigantic excavators in Ferropolis. Action is promised by a visit to the wake park, canoe park or adventure golf. And several hands-on exhibitions invite visitors to explore and experience the transformation of nature, the working world and industry.
The associated bike path can be experienced on over 160 kilometers of well-signposted paths one of the largest structural changes in the German economy and landscape.
Stages
From Wittenberg to Gräfenhainichen
From the Piesteritzer Werkssiedlung past the mining lakes in the Dübener Heide Nature Park, this stage leads to the open-air museum and event location Ferropolis.
From Zschornewitz to Bitterfeld
From there, where once the world's largest and most modern lignite-fired power plant was built, you will embark on a tour towards the Goitzsche lake region.
From Delitzsch to Markkleeberg
From the northern Leipzig Neuseenland is cycled on this stage through the metropolis of Leipzig to the Cospuden Lake in Markkleeberg.
From Lake Cospuden to Lake Großstolpen
About the forest and lake landscape Neue Harth this stage leads to the mining technology park in Großpösna and ends at the Großstolpener lake.
Etappe vom Großstolpener See nach Altenburg
Die kürzeste Etappe der Route führt nach Thüringen, in die Skatstadt Altenburg.
Etappe vom Großstolpener See nach Weißenfels
Diese Etappe der Radroute „Kohle-Dampf-Licht-Seen“ führt Sie durch eine faszinierende Landschaft im Wandel. Von Großstolpen aus radeln Sie vorbei an einstigen Tagebaugebieten, die sich in grüne Oasen und glitzernde Seen verwandelt haben – lebendige Zeugnisse des Strukturwandels in der mitteldeutschen Braunkohleregion.
Unterwegs erleben Sie Industriekultur, Naturidylle und kulturelle Vielfalt. Sanfte Hügel, stille Gewässer und historische Relikte begleiten Ihren Weg – mal verträumt, mal eindrucksvoll. Am Ziel erwartet Sie die lebendige Saalestadt Weißenfels, deren barocke Altstadt, Schloss Neu-Augustusburg und reiche Musikkultur zum Verweilen einladen.
Etappe von Weißenfels nach Leipzig
"Zwischen barocker Stadtpracht und pulsierender Metropole":
Diese Etappe führt Sie mitten hinein in die beeindruckende Transformation Mitteldeutschlands. Starten Sie in der Saalestadt Weißenfels, wo Schloss Neu‑Augustusburg majestätisch über der Altstadt thront und historische Klänge der reichen Musikkultur noch spürbar sind. Von hier aus führt der Radweg entlang des Geiseltalsees, einem der größten Binnenseen Deutschlands – entstanden aus der rekultivierten Tagebaufläche im Zeitz‑Weißenfelser Revier.
Auf 58,6 Kilometern durchqueren Sie eine junge Landschaft voller Kontraste: stille Wasserflächen, sanfte Hügel und weite Horizonte wechseln mit stillgelegten Braunkohlefeldern, die heute als Seenidylle erblühen – Symbol für den erfolgreichen Strukturwandel der Region. Natur und Industriekultur gehen hier eine faszinierende Verbindung ein – mit Fotomotiven in jeder Perspektive.
Am Ziel erwartet Sie schließlich Leipzig, eine Stadt, die sich selbst neu erfunden hat: grün, vital, weltoffen. Hier trifft sich Geschichte und moderne Stadtentwicklung, etwa in den Stadtteilen Schleußig und Plagwitz – einst Industrieflächen, heute UNESCO-anerkannte Industrie-Kultur-Denkmäler im Grünen. Und auch die Seen des Neuseenlands, wie Cospudener und Markkleeberger See, laden direkt vor den Toren der Stadt zum Ausklang und Verweilen ein.
Experiences
stations along the route
COAL | VAPOR | LIGHT | SEAS
Go on an exciting journey of discovery into a region that was an ecological disaster area until the end of the GDR due to lignite mining and chemical industry. Since the political turnaround in 1989, these ecological hotspots have been extensively redeveloped and converted into highly interesting tourist recreational landscapes with unique evidence of industrial history.
The stations on the route, some of which are located directly on the bike path, some of which can be reached via a detour, provide interesting insights into the history and present of this versatile region. All stations are also easily accessible by car.
The mining lakes that have been created have become particularly attractive for bathers, water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. With excellent water quality, they provide an ideal habitat for numerous animal and plant species.
Visit also factory settlements at former lignite-fired power plants and be amazed at the sight of former large-scale open-cast mining equipment. Visit original sites where groundbreaking inventions and developments took place in the 20th century. Let your eyes wander over an active open pit mine and visit one of the most modern coal-fired power plants in Europe.
While the route is also interesting for children. Children's playgrounds, educational facilities - some with multimedia exhibitions-, nature trails, excursions and water sports on the lakes offer all kinds of variety.
Whether by bike or car - experience the change of the once powerful Central German industrial area to a cultural and recreational landscape!
Piesteritz factory housing estate
From 1916 to 1919, the New Building movement at the beginning of the 20th century left impressive stone traces in Piesteritz, which has been part of Wittenberg since 1951.
Lake Bergwitz
As early as the 1960s, an idyllic mining lake was created from the former open pit mine "Robert's Hope".
Forest house at the Bergwitzsee
A heath magnet for all friends of nature with an interactive exhibition and a movement and education area for young and old.
Gremmin lake
The flooding of the Golpa-Nord open-cast lignite mine near Gräfenhainichen created a local recreation area in 2000.
Ferropolis
FERROPOLIS - the city of iron - is an industrial museum on a peninsula in Lake Gremmin near Gräfenhainichen.
Factory housing estate Zschornewitz
In the immediate vicinity of the site of what was once the world's largest and most modern lignite-fired power plant.
Muldestausee
On the edge of the Dübener Heide Nature Park, an exciting and valuable biotope has been created at Muldestausee, providing a habitat for rare and endangered species.
HAUS AM SEE Schlaitz
The Information Center for Environment and Nature Conservation at the Mulde Reservoir tells the story of the transformation from a dredging empire to a natural idyll.
Book village Mühlbeck-Friedersdorf
In the book village of Mühlbeck-Friedersdorf you will find antiquarian bookstores offering more than a quarter of a million books to the visitor, reader or collector.
Great Goitzsche Lake
The Goitzschesee is an open pit lake and a scenic gem with a wide range of offers for water sports enthusiasts, recreationists and nature lovers.
Water level tower at the Goitzsche
The landmark of the Goitzsche lake region floats on the Goitzsche lake and offers a perfect all-round view.
Elektro-Lok an der Villa am Bernsteinsee
Bitterfeld Water Center
The disused former Bitterfeld waterworks directly on the B 100 opposite the Goitzsche is now an information and education center on the subject of water.
Bitterfeld arch
The symbol for the change of the region allows a unique panoramic view of the Goitzsche lake region.
Kreismuseum Bitterfeld
Palace of Culture Bitterfeld
The imposing neoclassical building is an architectural landmark and also has supraregional significance in its history.
Wolfen Industrial and Film Museum
The museum commemorates what was once the second largest film factory in the world, where AGFA or ORWO films were produced.
Lake Grabschütz
A lake reserved for nature conservation with a nature trail about 7 kilometers long.
Lake Werbelin
Lake Werbelin is a nature reserve and bird sanctuary with diverse landscape structures.
Bucket wheel excavator SRs6300
The 17-meter-high, 180-ton bucket wheel of what was once the largest excavator of its type is a contemporary witness from the Breitenfeld open pit mine.
Schladitz lake
Lake Schladitz surprises its visitors with numerous offers in, on and around the water.
Leipzig Schleußig and Plagwitz
According to the UNESCO list, Schleußig and Plagwitz are among the largest industrial area monuments in European cities.
Lake Cospuden
The development of Lake Cospuden from an open-cast lignite mine to a lively leisure oasis is exemplary for the region.
New Harth
Post-mining forest and lake landscape in the Leipzig Neuseenland.
Markkleeberg Lake
With crystal clear water, Lake Markkleeberg invites you to relax and swim.
Mining Technology Park Großpösna
The Mining Technology Park presents the complete production cycle of an opencast lignite mine in an exciting arc.
Lake Störmthal
To the south of the Markkleeberger See is its big brother, the Störmthaler See.
Lippendorf power plant
In the information center of the modern coal-fired power plant, interested guests can learn more about power generation.
United Schleenhain open pit mine
A lookout point offers visitors a view over the vast open pit area of the active Schleenhain open pit mine.
Lake Großstolpen
The relatively small lake is a very good example of the coexistence of local recreation and nature conservation.
Blue path
Blue path
The Great Goitzsche Lake is the No. 1 tourist magnet in the town of Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Anyone who fancies swimming, sailing, rowing, pedal boating, diving or stand-up paddling will get their money's worth here. Few people know, however, that Bitterfeld's city center is just a short walk away. From now on, the "Blue Trail" will guide interested visitors along almost three kilometers from the lake promenade at the Bernsteinsee Marina to Bitterfeld's city center, which is always worth a visit with its sights, stores and gastronomic offerings. Peppered with quiz questions and interactive elements, the route itself becomes an experience. Once you reach your destination, the digital city tour awaits you.