The water sports area
Vacation in the Finowkanal region
Would you like to experience a boating vacation that combines beautiful nature, impressive industrial culture and attractive sights on land? Then the Finowkanal region in the Brandenburg Lake District is just the right destination. The Finowkanal combines historic hydraulic engineering, varied landscapes and short distances to sights along the banks.
Quick to ...
The water sports area is located north-east of Berlin and stretches along the 42 km long Finowkanal from Liebenwalde on the Havel to Hohensaaten on the Oder. You can easily reach the region via the waterways from the Baltic Sea via the Oder or from Berlin via the Havel.
Discover the diversity of the district – whether the history of the Märkisches Wuppertal in Eberswalde or the crystal clear Werbellinsee in the midst of beautiful beech forests. Industrial heritage monuments that you can admire from the boat, your tour as well as enchanting nature and attractions attractions for the whole family on land. In Niederfinow, you can experience the old and new boat lifts as they seemingly effortlessly raise the ships 36 meters into the air and in Oderberg, you can embark on a tour of the Oderbruch. Our map will give you an initial overview of the region and its highlights.
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.
Conservation areas in the region
You can enjoy three nature reserves in the region, alternating with urban sections. Learn more about the protected areas and discover the beautiful nature of the Finowkanal region.
Finowkanal
The special canal in north-east Germany
Germany's oldest still navigable canal - over 400 years old
The first Finowkanal was completed in 1620. However, the canal quickly fell into disrepair due to the 30 Years’ War. Old Fritz / Frederick II had the canal rebuilt in 1743 with a slightly different route and the Finowkanal was navigable again from 1749.
12 locks overcome a height difference of 36 meters
A height difference of 36 meters must be overcome between the Havel and Oder rivers. What the ship lifts in Niederfinow achieve with one lift is regulated on the Finowkanal via 12 barrages with height differences of between 1.70 and 4 meters.
Part of one of the largest charter areas in Germany
The license-free charter area of the lake district between Müritz, Havel and Oder extends from Schwerin via the Müritz, the upper Havel waterway to the Werbellinsee and Finowkanal.
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