Steppenwolf Berlin Usedom Berlin

The Steppenwolf is a non-commercial, self-supported bikepacking challenge that runs off-road from Berlin to the Baltic island of Usedom and back, through what its organisers call the steppe: the lakes, forests and sandy tracks of Brandenburg and the Uckermark. It is not a race but, in their words, a wild ride between the city and the sea.

Two tracks share the journey. The Wildtrack threads root-laced trails along the lakes, Uckermark cobbles and sandy passages, and in no year so far have half its starters finished; the Graveltrack rolls more easily on gravel, long forest roads and old concrete slab paths and has been completed by many first-timers. Riders go alone or as a pack, carry everything themselves, and can camp at the checkpoints along the way.

Jonathan and Markus, who first rode to the Baltic as schoolkids, launched it in 2021, when 33 riders left Bernau and 11 finished. It is run entirely by volunteers of RSV Steppenwolf without sponsors, at least half the places go to FLINTA* riders, and flying to the start is not allowed.