Looking for a way to combine touring on the water and seeing the countryside? Germany has no end of glorious river and lake scenery: its quiet lakes, peaceful rivers and historical canals are ideal for a back-to-nature holiday. Good areas for canoeing include the fenland of East Friesland, the rivers of Schleswig-Holstein, the waters of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg, the rivers of the Münsterland and Lüneburg Heath and the rivers Saale, Eder, Werra, Lahn, Altmühl, Regen, as well as the upper reaches of the Danube. Kayaking is also possible along the coast, off the island of Sylt, for example, or in the Boddenlandschaft to the south of Rügen island.

Germany has a large number of canoeing centres and organisations that offer organised canoeing tours as a package. Before you set out, make sure you are fully briefed by the person from whom you are hiring the canoe. You need to know about the canoe, the equipment, canoeing technique and information specific to the conditions on the water in your area, including locks etc.
Members of Germany's Federal Association for Canoeing Tourism offer quality, safety and a commitment to nature conservation in canoeing tourism. It can also supply addresses of canoeing suppliers and details of canoeing areas.

Federal Association for Canoeing Tourism
Phone: + 49 (0)6426 928 045
E-mail: info@kanutouristik.de
Internet: http://www.kanutouristik.de/

Alternatively, you can approach the marketing organisations of the individual federal states.

The German Canoeing Association has plenty of information about tour operators, suppliers, the environment and nature conservation, regional canoeing associations and much more besides.