Boating
Boating vacation in the Finowkanal region
The Finowkanal region, between the Havel and Oder rivers, is part of the Brandenburg Lake District and is characterized by rolling hills, large mixed forests, lakes and waterways and is part of the most beautiful regions in Brandenburg.
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The Finowkanal, the oldest navigable canal in Germany with partially hand-operated locks, is an ideal destination for your boating vacation. In addition to the historic hydraulic structures such as the locks and the ship lift, the Finowkanal region offers beautiful nature, exciting industrial culture and varied shore excursions for young and old.
Arrival by boat
Owners of a boating license can access the Finowkanal from the east via the Oder River and from the west via the Havel River and the Havel-Oder Waterway.
Holidaymakers with a charter license can currently navigate the western section of the Langer Trödel from Liebenwalde to Zerpenschleuse and via a short section of the Finowkanal you can reach the crystal-clear Werbellinsee via the Werbellinkanal.
This provides charter boaters with a link between the Mecklenburg and Rheinsberg waters, as well as the Upper Havel Waterway to the Havel-Oder Waterway and the Finowkanal. To reach the Werbellin waters, one crosses the Havel-Oder Waterway at km 50 and then branches off into the Werbellin Canal at km 59 along the Finowkanal. The Finowkanal itself continues through Eberswalde and further east where it flows into the Havel-Oder Waterway.
Tour suggestions on the water
Charter regulation
License-free boating vacation
The waters of the Langer Trödel, Finowkanal and Werbelliner waters can be navigated without a pleasure craft license. If you charter a sports boat with up to 15 hp, you will receive a detailed briefing and then the necessary charter license. The region is therefore part of one of the largest charter areas in Europe and can be reached from the Mecklenburg Lake District without a license. To navigate the Havel-Oder waterway, including the boat lifts, you need an inland navigation license. In Zerpenschleuse (Langer Trödel – Finowkanal) and on the Werbellinkanal (Werbellinkanal – Werbellinkanal), the crossing of the HOW is possible without a license.
Messages for boaters
Restrictions for boat traffic
The locks from Ruhlsdorf to Heegermühle will be gradually reopened in the 2026 season. Entry from the east (boat lifts) will be via the Liepe lock. From here, the Finowkanal can be navigated as far as the Drahthammer lock (Eberswalde Familiengarten).
For further information, please contact the lock management by telephone on +49 151 724 388 71 or send us an e-mail.
Closed locks:
Ruhlsdorf, Leesenbrück, Grafenbrück, Schöpfurt, Heegermühle, Wolfswinkel
Operation on request:
Kupferhammer, Drahthammer
( 24h in advance under: +49 151 724 388 71)
Open locks:
Stadtschleuse, Ragöse, Stecher, Liepe
Start of season 18.04.2026
With the exception of the Schöpfurt lock, it is unfortunately not possible to transfer canoes.
Contact lock management Finowkanal:
By telephone during lock operating hours: +49 151 724 388 71 or by email at: tourismus@zweckverband-finowkanal.info
Current information on lock operating times and disruptions or closures can also be found at ELWIS
Current water levels can be found at pegelonline.