Eiskeller

On the north-western edge of Spandau, in the district of Hakenfelde, is Eiskeller: formerly an exclave of West Berlin and still the coldest place in the city. Surrounded by broad fields and woods, paddocks and lilac bushes, you can escape the big city here and cool off after a bike ride.

Hardly anything today recalls the eventful history of this former exclave of West Berlin. When the city was divided, the three farmsteads in Eiskeller were surrounded by GDR territory and connected to West Berlin only by a corridor four metres wide and 800 metres long.

Due to its cool climate, it was also used as a place to store ice (cut from Falkenhagener See), but today it is an inviting stop-off on a bike tour through Spandauer Forst or on the Wall Trail. Ice (cream) is still available, as well as refreshing drinks and shashlik from the barbecue. Under the shade of the fruit trees you can fortify yourself for the next stage of the trip.

Eiskeller is best reached by following the Berlin Wall Trail. From there, turn right (coming from the north) at the memorial markers and follow the path. Turn right again and go past the horse stables until a white sign shows the way to Eiskellerweg 130.