Our canoe tours and trips on the Lahn
Short trips
Roth - Odenhausen
Small but nice!
Length: 8km
Duration: 2 to 3 hours (no pauses)
Weirs: No weir
Particularity: European bird protection area
The short trip for nature lovers begins at 11 am in Weimar-Roth at the Lahn bridge. The Lahn is still narrow and partly very fast on these 8km, in the water towering trees and rapids together with dense beach vegetation create an impression of original adventure away from civilization. Past Bellnhausen and the gloomy castle of Friedelhausen, you will travel through the European bird sanctuary to Odenhausen. The return transfer to Roth is by arrangement and depends on the starting time.
For the protection of birds in the European bird sanctuary, the section may only be used during the period from 1st May to 20th September.
Odenhausen - Giessen
From nature to the city
Length: 13km
Duration: 3 to 4 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 2 weirs (boat channels)
Particularity: Family tour for the ideal arrival and departure by train
The short tour begins at 12:30 pm at the Lahntours canoe station in Lollar-Odenhausen. The Lahn River is initially narrow and sometimes fast-flowing over these 13 km, gradually widening and slowing down as you head towards Giessen. Shortly after the start of the tour, you'll reach the Lollar weir, where the canoes are transported through the towpath and over the fish ladder. Passing Lake Wissmar, whose beer garden invites you to take a short break after the first hour, you'll reach Badenburg. Here, future world champions hone their skills on the renowned canoe slalom course. Afterwards, as the Lahn continues to widen and slow down, you'll glide into the university town of Giessen. Along the river promenade, you'll reach the first weir in Giessen, which is navigated via a boat chute. The endpoint of your tour, the second weir at the Giessen municipal utilities, is located very close to the main train station, so arriving and departing by public transport is recommended.
Dorlar - Wetzlar
Mini-trip for groups
Length: 6.5km
Duration: 2 to 3 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 3 weirs (boat channels and locks)
Particularity: Short tour especially for company outings around Wetzlar
The tour starts at 2:00 pm in Dorlar at the boat ramp. For bookings with passenger transfer, the meeting point before the tour is at the Bachweide parking lot (Uferstraße) in Wetzlar, with departure to the put-in point at 1:30 pm. The route is characterized by navigating various local weirs. Shortly after launching, you'll reach the manual lock in Naunheim, which you'll need to operate yourself. A short stretch to Wetzlar follows, which is also used for rowing training. In Wetzlar, there's a boat chute with a fish-bristle pass at the first weir and a roller system at the second. Wetzlar and its charming old town, situated directly on the river, are definitely worth a short visit. After your canoe trip, we recommend stopping at the Paulaner beer garden next to the Lahntours canoe station to recharge and enjoy the view of the Lahn River.
Wetzlar - Solms-Schohleck
Enjoy relaxing - especially suitable for families
Length: 11km
Duration: 3 to 4 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 3 weirs (locks)
Particularity: Family tour with hand-operated locks
The tour begins at 12 pm in Wetzlar at the Lahntours station at Haarplatz. When booking with a person transfer, the meeting point before the tour in Solms-Schohleck is on the Lahntours-Zeltplatz with departure to the entry point at 11:30 am.
The tour begins after the introduction and equipment very comfortably in calm waters up to the first hand-operated lock in Altenberg, on the right side the monastery Altenberg, there followed by Braunfels Castle in the distance to the left. We continue to the lock Oberbiel with a small rest stop for picnicking. The Niederbiel lock at the end of the 1km long canal is easy to manage with the collected experience and before you know, you reach the end point of the tour at the Lahntours campsite in Schohleck. If you want, you can have a drink at the Biergarten of the campsite or a visit to the castle in Braunfels.
Aumenau - Runkel
The family classic
Length: 12km
Duration: 3 to 4 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 2 weirs (locks)
Particularity: Locks and castle panorama
The popular family tour begins at 12 pm or 2 pm at the Lahntours canoe station in Aumenau. When booking with a person transfer, the meeting point before the tour in Runkel is on the Lahntours campsite with departure to the entry point at 11:30 am or 13:30 pm. After the instruction and equipment the canoe tour begins. Almost untouched by the roads, only accompanied by the Lahntal railway and the Lahntal cycle path, you pass the Marble bridge in Villmar and through a hand-operated locks. On the last kilometer you will find a magnificent castle panorama, before the second and last lock in Runkel pass for the paddlers and finally reach the Lahntours campsite.
Runkel - Limburg
The short time out
Length: 10km
Duration: 2 to 3 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: No weirs
Particularity: The three-aisled Lubentiusbasilika from 841 in Dietkirchen, built on a rock above the river Lahn
Meeting point is at our Lahntours campsite in Runkel at 11 am or at 3 pm. After the instruction and equipment, the current quickly takes the canoes away, past the Runkler districts of Kerkerbach, Steeden and Dehrn with its castle high above the river Lahn. In Limburg-Dietkirchen, a resting place for recreation and an imposing basilica are waiting for you before you paddle the last section to Limburg. After the motorway bridge (A3), the tour ends at the canoe exit, where the bus is ready for the return transfer at 3 pm or 6:30 pm.
Day trips
Roth – Badenburg (Wissmarer bridge)
Close to nature
Length: 16km
Duration: 4 to 5 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 1 weir in Lollar (boat slip)
Particularity: European bird protection area to Odenhausen
One of the most exciting day stages begins in the morning from 10 am in the village of Roth, the Lahntours tribal seat. The Lahn is on this first 16km still narrow and partly very fast, in the water towering trees and rapids together with dense beach vegetation create an impression of original adventure away from civilization. Past Bellnhausen and the gloomy walls of Friedelhausen Castle, you will travel through the European bird sanctuary to the resting place Odenhausen. The snack bar with beer garden invites you to linger.
After a refreshing ride, we continue past Ruttershausen to Lollar and its weir with boat slide, before passing the Wissmar bathing lake and the Badenburg to the end point at Wissmarer Brücke. The return transfer to Roth takes place at 4 pm.
For the protection of birds in the European bird sanctuary, the section may only be used during the period from 1st May to 20th September.
Giessen - Wetzlar
The small lock experience
Length: 17km
Duration: 5 to 6 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 6 weirs (boat aisles and locks)
Particularity: Boat slides and hand-operated locks
The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. in Giessen at the second weir near the main train station. This tour is only available without passenger transfers. We recommend using public transportation (Lahntalbahn) for arrival and departure.
This leg of the journey is characterized by the varied challenges of navigating six weirs using different methods. Right at the start, you'll descend the boat channel and after a short trip, you'll reach the weir in Heuchelheim, also with a boat channel. Passing the Heuchelheim lakes and the confluence of the Kleebach stream, which once marked the Prussian-Hessian border, you'll arrive at the first manual lock in Dorlar. Just like at the subsequent lock in Naunheim, you'll need to operate the lock yourself, which children often find very enjoyable. From here to Wetzlar, there are several rest areas for catching your breath and recharging before tackling the final two weirs in Wetzlar, one with a boat channel and the other with a roller system. Wetzlar, with its charming old town, is the perfect place to end an eventful day.
Dorlar - Solms-Schohleck
Facetted - something for everyone
Length: 17km
Duration: 5 to 6 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 6 weirs (boat aisles and locks)
Particularity: Canoeing through the Goethe and Optics city
The tour begins in the morning at 09:30 am in Dorlar at the slipway. When booking with a person transfer, the meeting point before the tour in Solms-Schohleck is on the Lahntours-Zeltplatz with departure to the entry point at 9 am.
The route is characterized by several different overruns of the local Weirs. Shortly after the installation you can reach the manual lock in Naunheim, which you have to operate independently. It follows a short distance up to Wetzlar, which is also rowing training course. In Wetzlar, there is a boat alley with a bristle fish pass on the first weir, and a reel for the second weir. Wetzlar and its enchanting old town, which lies directly on the river, definitely worth a short visit. Alternatively, the Paulaner beer garden next to the Lahntours canal can be used to recharge your batteries and enjoy the view of the Lahn. Afterwards we continue for a few kilometers to the lock in Altenberg, on the right bank of the river there is the monastery Altenberg, followed by Schloss Braunfels in the distance to the left. The remaining 2 locks in Ober- und Niederbiel are easy to manage with the collected experience and before you know you can reach the end of the tour at the Lahntours campsite in Schohleck. If you want, you can crown your excursion with adventure romance at the camp fire and overnight in real tipi tents.
Solms-Schohleck - Weilburg (Ahäuser bridge)
Bubbly Lahn
Length: 15km
Duration: 4 to 5 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 1 weir (lock)
Particularity: Mineral water source Neuselters
The tour starts with a short briefing at the Lahntours-Zeltplatz Schohleck at 10:30 am. The Lahn has a speedy flow speed on the first kilometer, which saves forces and brings a lot of fun. We pass the Braunfels Lahn station and the campsite in Leun. A little farther downstream is the mineral spring of Neuselters, from where the well-known sparkling water comes. The last kilometers pass by Löhnberg with its castle ruins from the 14th century and picturesque half-timbered houses. If you want, you can take a break on the right (we have ice and drinks at the kiosk on the left at the lock). Afterwards, you go through the only hand-operated lock to the last section, which is also rowing training course. The exit is at the Ahäuser bridge, where the bus is ready for the return transfer at 4 pm.
Weilburg - Runkel
Varied challenge
Length: 28km
Duration: 7 to 9 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 5 weirs (locks)
Particularity: The oldest and longest still navigable shipping tunnel in Germany
The longest day trip in the Lahntours program starts at 09:30 am at the entrance "Ahäuser bridge" before Weilburg. When booking with a person transfer, the meeting point before the tour in Runkel is on the Lahntours campsite with departure to the entry point at 9 am. After the instruction and equipment begins the paddling tour. Just after the first 2km you reach the only ship tunnel in Germany in Weilburg, just under 200m meters it goes through the mountain and at the end a double sluice leaves the paddlers in one of the most picturesque Lahn sections. Almost unaffected by the roads, only accompanied by the Lahntal railway it passes small villages and camping sites, interrupted by hand-operated locks. At the Lahntours resting place in Aumenau, the half-step stage offers the opportunity to strengthen itself in the beer garden for the second half. If you like it too much, you can simply drop your boat and continue by train to Runkel. In any case, a magnificent castle panorama is available in the last few kilometers, before the final challenge for the paddlers of the Lahntours campers at the end point.
Weilburg - Aumenau
Many impressions - ship tunnel and double lock
Length: 16km
Duration: 4 to 5 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 3 weirs (locks)
Particularity: The oldest and longest still navigable shipping tunnel in Germany with its double chamber sluice
The tour begins at 11:00 am at the entrance "Ahäuser bridge" before Weilburg. When booking with person transfer, the meeting point before the tour in Villmar-Aumenau is at the parking lot Eichelberghalle (Auf der Heide) with departure to the entry point at 10:30 am. After the instruction and equipment begins the paddling tour. Just after the first 2km you reach the only ship tunnel in Germany in Weilburg, just under 200m meters it goes through the mountain and at the end a double sluice leaves the paddlers in one of the most picturesque lahnabschnitte. Nearly unaffected by roads, only accompanied by the Lahntal railway it passes by small villages and camping places, interrupted again and again by two further hand-operated locks. Arrived at the Lahntours-Resting station in Aumenau, the end of the tour offers the possibility to relax and enjoy the day in the beer garden.
Runkel - Diez
Charming landscape, rich in history.
Length: 18km
Duration: 5 to 6 hours (including breaks)
Weirs: 2 weirs (locks)
Particularity: The cathedral city Limburg and large locks
Let's go at the Lahntours campsite in Runkel at 10 am. After compulsory instruction and equipment, the current quickly takes the canoes away, past the Runkler districts of Kerkerbach, Steeden and Dehrn with its castle high above the river Lahn. In Limburg-Dietkirchen, a resting place for recreation and an imposing basilica invite you to visit before you reach Limburg. The old town and the cathedral are worth a visit, then the first automatic lock into the Limburg basin, past the Oranienstein Castle to Diez. Behind the second lock ends the tour, where the bus is ready at 6 pm for the return transfer.
