Water profiles
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of lakes and canals around the Finow Canal, the oldest navigable canal in Germany. This historic waterway offers pure variety for water hikers – from nature reserves to urban sections and impressive industrial culture. The Werbellinsee is just as attractive with its clear water and idyllic location in the Schorfheide. Or follow the Alte Oder insider tip and discover the Oderbruch from the water. Let yourself be inspired to explore the diversity of our waters!
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Finow Canal and Langer Trödel
The Finow Canal gives the impression of a natural river with its winding course and lush vegetation along the banks. There are 12 locks to negotiate on the 32-kilometre stretch of canal between Zerpenschleuse and Liepe. An experience for which you should allow some time. Each lock takes an average of 20 minutes. The lock season is from mid-April to mid-October(details).
Due to the current renovation of the locks, the Finow Canal is not navigable throughout. Detailed information can be found at: Lock renovation.
The Long Trödel is the 10 km long, eastern section of the Finow Canal between Zerpenschleuse and Liebenwalde. Motorized traffic on this state waterway is regulated as one-way traffic with 2 hourly changes of direction. The banks of the Lange Trödel are an FFH protected area and mooring is not permitted on the entire section between Liebenwalde and Zerpenschleuse.
Finow Canal
- Maximum speed: 6 km/h
- Requirements for navigation: no license required
- Maximum boat dimensions L x W x H in meters: 41.50 x 5.10 x 3.86 m
- Draft season 2024: 1.20 m
- Bridge clearance height: 3.86 m
Long rummage
- Maximum speed: 6 km/h
- Requirements for navigation: no license required
- Maximum boat dimensions L x W in meters: 41.50 x 5.10 m
- Draft season 2024: 1.20 m
- Bridge clearance height: 1.50 m closed; 4.20 m open
Werbelliner Gewässser
The Werbellin Canal connects the Finow Canal with the crystal-clear Werbellinsee. Via the southern section near Ruhlsdorf, you can also reach Lake Werbellin without a license. Crossing the Havel-Oder waterway is permitted with a charter license. Skippers with a boating license can also enter the Werbellin Canal directly from the HOW. There are 2 automated locks on the northern section of the canal, in Rosenbeck and Eichhorst. This section of the Werbellin Canal is surrounded by beautiful beech forests and offers shade on hot days. After 7 kilometers you reach the Werbellinsee.
The 13-kilometre-long, particularly clear Werbellinsee with a depth of up to 60 meters is a popular excursion destination beyond the region’s borders with a well-developed tourist infrastructure on its shores.
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- Maximum speed: 6 km/h
- Requirements for navigation: no license required
- maximum boat dimensions L x W x H in meters: 25m x 5.10m x 3.70m
- Draught season 2025: 1.10 m
Werbellinsee
- Maximum speed: 25 km/h (not near the shore)
- Requirements for navigation: no license required
Havel-Oder waterway
The Havel-Oder Waterway (HOW), also known as the Oder-Havel Canal, is heavily frequented by commercial shipping from Berlin to Poland and vice versa and is not particularly attractive for pleasure craft tours. In conjunction with the Finow Canal and the Werbellin waters, however, there are attractive combination options (inland waterway boating license required). In addition, the Niederfinow boat lifts, one of the most impressive boating experiences in Germany, are located at the eastern end of the waterway.
Havel-Oder waterway
- Maximum speed: 9 km/h
- Prerequisites for navigation: Sport boat license inland
Wriezen Old Oder
The Alte Oder is a state waterway at km 2.5 (near Bralitz) and an exclusive canoeing area without motorboat traffic. The area offers various opportunities for day trips and multi-day tours. The Alte Oder is the original course of the Oder as it was before the canalization of the Oderbruch was completed in 1753. The river is around 15 m wide and 1.20 m deep and flows from Lebus to Oderberg, where it joins the Havel-Oder waterway, lined with reeds and accompanied by tree-lined dykes. The Old Oder between Kietzer Fischteichen north of Altfriedland and Oderberg is particularly scenic and also very easy to navigate.
Wriezen Old Oder
- Requirements for navigation: pure paddling waters
- Information on navigability: Oderbruch Water and Dyke Association