Finow Kanal
42.29 km | 26.28 mi
Length can differ from official measure!
Kanal
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The Finow Canal is a historic waterway in Brandenburg, Germany, which, at approximately 43 kilometers in length, is considered the oldest navigable artificial waterway in the country. It connects the Havel River near Liebenwalde with the Oder River near Niederfinow and was built in the 17th century (from 1605) to promote trade. Today, the canal is primarily important for recreational sports—for canoeists, rowers, and pleasure boaters—and offers an idyllic route through forests, meadows, and small villages. With its twelve locks, including historic ones such as the Liebenwalde Lock and the Zerpenschleuse Lock, it is a technical monument that combines water sports with culture.
Harbors and Moorings for Recreational Sports
The Finow Canal has several harbors and moorings that are particularly attractive for recreational sports enthusiasts. Facilities range from simple moorings to modern marinas with comprehensive services:
Liebenwalde City Harbor (km 0.24, north bank): A modern harbor in the center of Liebenwalde since 2014, right at the beginning of the canal. It offers approximately 10 guest moorings for motorboats and paddlers, a restroom building, a harbor bistro with a terrace, and canoe rentals. Ideal for starting a tour.
Zerpen Lock (km 10.19, south bank): A simple slipway above the lock, open to the public. It is primarily used for launching and unloading boats; during lock opening times (April to October), the lock keeper must be informed. No permanent moorings are available, but there are rest areas.
Marienhafen Marina at the Werbellin Cross (km 54.5, left branch to the Oder-Havel Canal): Located directly at the junction with Lake Werbellin, this harbor offers approximately 30 guest moorings. It is equipped with utilities (electricity, water), restrooms, restaurants, boat and bicycle rentals, and greywater disposal – a popular base for longer trips.
Oderberg Marina (km 87.0, left turn to the Oder-Havel Canal): A well-developed marina with 75 berths, including guest berths. It offers repair services, restroom facilities, overnight accommodations, fuel service, and bicycle rentals. Its location near the town of Oderberg makes it attractive for excursions.
Büttner Shipyard & Marina (km 54.5, left turn to Lake Werbellin): Equipped with 70 berths (guest berths upon request) and a maximum draft of 1.4 m, it offers electricity and water connections, restroom facilities, and two boat cranes – ideal for maintenance and longer stays.
Add-to-Add Werbellin Marina Altenhof (km 14.55): Located on the picturesque Lake Werbellin, it offers 12 guest berths with supplies, restroom facilities, repair services, and boat rentals. The tranquil surroundings invite you to relax.
There are also smaller moorings and rest areas for water sports along the canal, for example at locks or in towns like Finowfurt, but these often offer only basic facilities without regular services.
Special features for recreational boaters
The Finow Canal is suitable for boats with a draft of up to 1.4 meters and a maximum length of approximately 30 meters, with the locks limiting passage (typically 5.2 m wide, 41 m long). The following points are important for recreational boaters:
Locks: The twelve historic locks are manually operated and are in operation between April and October (usually 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Waiting times should be planned for, and consultation with the lock keepers may be necessary.
Nature and tranquility: The canal runs through a sparsely populated region with plenty of greenery, making it ideal for relaxing tours. Commercial shipping plays a minor role, so swell is not a major problem.
Infrastructure: There are no gas stations directly along the canal; fuel must be arranged at larger ports such as Oderberg or on land.
Connections: Via the Oder-Havel Canal and Lake Werbellin, the Finow Canal provides access to other waterways, for example, towards Berlin or the Oder River.
Conclusion
The Finow Canal is a paradise for recreational athletes who want to combine history, nature, and water sports. With ports such as the Liebenwalde City Harbor or the Oderberg Marina, as well as numerous rest areas, it offers ample opportunities for day trips or multi-day tours. Its historical significance and relaxed atmosphere make it a special experience – ideal for paddlers and small motorboats, less so for large yachts. However, careful planning, especially regarding lock times, is essential.
Harbors and Moorings for Recreational Sports
The Finow Canal has several harbors and moorings that are particularly attractive for recreational sports enthusiasts. Facilities range from simple moorings to modern marinas with comprehensive services:
Liebenwalde City Harbor (km 0.24, north bank): A modern harbor in the center of Liebenwalde since 2014, right at the beginning of the canal. It offers approximately 10 guest moorings for motorboats and paddlers, a restroom building, a harbor bistro with a terrace, and canoe rentals. Ideal for starting a tour.
Zerpen Lock (km 10.19, south bank): A simple slipway above the lock, open to the public. It is primarily used for launching and unloading boats; during lock opening times (April to October), the lock keeper must be informed. No permanent moorings are available, but there are rest areas.
Marienhafen Marina at the Werbellin Cross (km 54.5, left branch to the Oder-Havel Canal): Located directly at the junction with Lake Werbellin, this harbor offers approximately 30 guest moorings. It is equipped with utilities (electricity, water), restrooms, restaurants, boat and bicycle rentals, and greywater disposal – a popular base for longer trips.
Oderberg Marina (km 87.0, left turn to the Oder-Havel Canal): A well-developed marina with 75 berths, including guest berths. It offers repair services, restroom facilities, overnight accommodations, fuel service, and bicycle rentals. Its location near the town of Oderberg makes it attractive for excursions.
Büttner Shipyard & Marina (km 54.5, left turn to Lake Werbellin): Equipped with 70 berths (guest berths upon request) and a maximum draft of 1.4 m, it offers electricity and water connections, restroom facilities, and two boat cranes – ideal for maintenance and longer stays.
Add-to-Add Werbellin Marina Altenhof (km 14.55): Located on the picturesque Lake Werbellin, it offers 12 guest berths with supplies, restroom facilities, repair services, and boat rentals. The tranquil surroundings invite you to relax.
There are also smaller moorings and rest areas for water sports along the canal, for example at locks or in towns like Finowfurt, but these often offer only basic facilities without regular services.
Special features for recreational boaters
The Finow Canal is suitable for boats with a draft of up to 1.4 meters and a maximum length of approximately 30 meters, with the locks limiting passage (typically 5.2 m wide, 41 m long). The following points are important for recreational boaters:
Locks: The twelve historic locks are manually operated and are in operation between April and October (usually 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Waiting times should be planned for, and consultation with the lock keepers may be necessary.
Nature and tranquility: The canal runs through a sparsely populated region with plenty of greenery, making it ideal for relaxing tours. Commercial shipping plays a minor role, so swell is not a major problem.
Infrastructure: There are no gas stations directly along the canal; fuel must be arranged at larger ports such as Oderberg or on land.
Connections: Via the Oder-Havel Canal and Lake Werbellin, the Finow Canal provides access to other waterways, for example, towards Berlin or the Oder River.
Conclusion
The Finow Canal is a paradise for recreational athletes who want to combine history, nature, and water sports. With ports such as the Liebenwalde City Harbor or the Oderberg Marina, as well as numerous rest areas, it offers ample opportunities for day trips or multi-day tours. Its historical significance and relaxed atmosphere make it a special experience – ideal for paddlers and small motorboats, less so for large yachts. However, careful planning, especially regarding lock times, is essential.
