The Rasender Roland is Rügen’s most charming little icon, a steam-hauled narrow-gauge railway that still feels gloriously out of step with the modern world. It has been running since 1895 and links Putbus with the island’s seaside resorts at a relaxed 30 km/h, which is exactly why the journey is part of the pleasure rather than merely a means of getting somewhere.
What makes it memorable is not speed, but atmosphere. The rhythm of the engine, the scent of coal smoke, and the gentle clatter of the carriages give the trip a nostalgic quality that suits Rügen’s wooded countryside and resort towns beautifully.
For visitors, it is also wonderfully practical in its own old-fashioned way. The line connects Putbus, Binz, Sellin, Baabe and Göhren, with additional seasonal services to Lauterbach Mole, so it can be used both as a scenic excursion and as a proper part of a day’s exploring.
I think that is why the Rasender Roland has lasted so well: it is not pretending to be a museum piece, yet it offers a living slice of railway history. On an island that is already rich in beaches, cliffs and resorts, this slow, steam-powered ride gives the whole place a distinctive character.
Tickets can be bought on the Internet upfront and the Rasender Roland offers space for all needs: you can take your bicycle with you, decide to sit in an open-air carriage and there is also the opportunity for wheelchair users to join the ride. What I always like is to switch between carriages during the trip on open platforms – it reminds me of the trips up to the Brocken during my childhood.
Rasender Roland
Putbus-Göhren
Rügen
Germany
https://ruegensche-baederbahn.de
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