Mittellandkanal
322.21 km | 200.21 mi
Length can differ from official measure!
Kanal
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The Mittellandkanal stretches over 325.7 kilometers from Dortmund (via the Dortmund-Ems Canal) to the Elbe near Magdeburg. It’s an artificial canal with minimal gradient, making it attractive for recreational boaters as long stretches can be navigated without locks. For leisure skippers, it offers a calm alternative to rivers, though it’s less scenic than, say, the Mecklenburg Lake District. Nevertheless, many yacht harbors and mooring spots have been established along the canal, often equipped with good infrastructure such as jetties, sanitary facilities, electricity, and water. Its proximity to cities like Hanover, Braunschweig, or Osnabrück makes it appealing for day trips or longer journeys.
Harbors for Recreational Boaters on the Mittellandkanal
Here are the most important harbors and mooring spots specifically for recreational boats, listed from west to east (kilometer markings refer to the canal’s mileage):
Marina Recke (km 12.8)
Location: Southwest of the canal in a quiet harbor basin.
Facilities: 60 berths (up to 12 m), water, electricity, sanitary facilities, panorama bistro, grilling options.
Special Feature: Natural surroundings, nearby bathing lake.
Yachthafen Bad Essen (km 61)
Location: Small harbor basin, also moorings directly along the canal.
Facilities: Guest berths for smaller boats, limited spots for larger boats opposite the entrance, close to a supermarket and old town.
Special Feature: Idyllic location at the Wiehen Hills.
Hafen Osnabrück (Osnabrück Branch Canal, branching off at km 30.4)
Location: At the end of the 14.5 km branch canal.
Facilities: Berths for recreational boats, sanitary facilities, close to the city.
Special Feature: Connection to the historic city of Osnabrück.
Yachthafen Minden (km 97)
Location: Near the Minden Waterway Junction.
Facilities: Well-maintained harbor, restaurant, terrace, electricity, water, water depth approx. 1.8 m.
Special Feature: View of the Weser crossing, short walk to Minden’s old town.
Yachthafen Idensen (km approx. 130)
Location: Small harbor basin along the canal.
Facilities: Well-kept jetties, clubhouse with toilets and showers, mooring fee approx. €1/meter.
Special Feature: Quiet location, electric harbor gate (passage width 7.5 m).
Yachthafen Hannover-Linden (Hanover-Linden Branch Canal, km 2.4)
Location: In the branch canal, near central Hanover.
Facilities: Idyllic harbor, restaurant, electricity, water, showers, close to S-Bahn.
Special Feature: Garden-like atmosphere, ideal for city exploration.
Yachthafen Hannover-List (km 163.5)
Location: Directly on the Mittellandkanal in eastern Hanover.
Facilities: 45 berths (15 for guests), boat rentals, sanitary facilities, restaurant.
Special Feature: Perfect starting point for tours, maritime ambiance.
Misburger Hafen (Misburg Branch Canal, branching off at km 167)
Location: East of Hanover, operated by the Hanover Motorboat Club.
Facilities: 32 berths, modern jetties, overnight huts, electricity, water.
Special Feature: Local recreation area, family-friendly.
Marina Bortfeld (km 213.5, Salzgitter Branch Canal offshoot)
Location: Accessible via a lifting bridge.
Facilities: 24 berths, “Havarie” restaurant, sanitary building, electricity, water, slipway.
Special Feature: Exclusive ambiance, guest boaters welcome.
Sportboothafen Wolfsburg (km approx. 230)
Location: Close to the city, narrow harbor entrance.
Facilities: Small facility, berths for recreational boats, basic utilities.
Special Feature: Proximity to Autostadt and downtown Wolfsburg.
Sportboothafen Haldensleben (km 300.3)
Location: Eastern section of the canal.
Facilities: 40 berths, supply and disposal facilities.
Special Feature: Near the Magdeburg Waterway Junction.
These harbors provide recreational boaters with good infrastructure and often access to local attractions. Note that the Mittellandkanal is heavily used by commercial shipping—caution is advised due to wake and suction effects. For longer trips, a German inland boating license (Sportbootführerschein Binnen) is recommended for boats over 15 horsepower, while smaller boats up to 15 hp are license-free. Enjoy your time on the water!
Harbors for Recreational Boaters on the Mittellandkanal
Here are the most important harbors and mooring spots specifically for recreational boats, listed from west to east (kilometer markings refer to the canal’s mileage):
Marina Recke (km 12.8)
Location: Southwest of the canal in a quiet harbor basin.
Facilities: 60 berths (up to 12 m), water, electricity, sanitary facilities, panorama bistro, grilling options.
Special Feature: Natural surroundings, nearby bathing lake.
Yachthafen Bad Essen (km 61)
Location: Small harbor basin, also moorings directly along the canal.
Facilities: Guest berths for smaller boats, limited spots for larger boats opposite the entrance, close to a supermarket and old town.
Special Feature: Idyllic location at the Wiehen Hills.
Hafen Osnabrück (Osnabrück Branch Canal, branching off at km 30.4)
Location: At the end of the 14.5 km branch canal.
Facilities: Berths for recreational boats, sanitary facilities, close to the city.
Special Feature: Connection to the historic city of Osnabrück.
Yachthafen Minden (km 97)
Location: Near the Minden Waterway Junction.
Facilities: Well-maintained harbor, restaurant, terrace, electricity, water, water depth approx. 1.8 m.
Special Feature: View of the Weser crossing, short walk to Minden’s old town.
Yachthafen Idensen (km approx. 130)
Location: Small harbor basin along the canal.
Facilities: Well-kept jetties, clubhouse with toilets and showers, mooring fee approx. €1/meter.
Special Feature: Quiet location, electric harbor gate (passage width 7.5 m).
Yachthafen Hannover-Linden (Hanover-Linden Branch Canal, km 2.4)
Location: In the branch canal, near central Hanover.
Facilities: Idyllic harbor, restaurant, electricity, water, showers, close to S-Bahn.
Special Feature: Garden-like atmosphere, ideal for city exploration.
Yachthafen Hannover-List (km 163.5)
Location: Directly on the Mittellandkanal in eastern Hanover.
Facilities: 45 berths (15 for guests), boat rentals, sanitary facilities, restaurant.
Special Feature: Perfect starting point for tours, maritime ambiance.
Misburger Hafen (Misburg Branch Canal, branching off at km 167)
Location: East of Hanover, operated by the Hanover Motorboat Club.
Facilities: 32 berths, modern jetties, overnight huts, electricity, water.
Special Feature: Local recreation area, family-friendly.
Marina Bortfeld (km 213.5, Salzgitter Branch Canal offshoot)
Location: Accessible via a lifting bridge.
Facilities: 24 berths, “Havarie” restaurant, sanitary building, electricity, water, slipway.
Special Feature: Exclusive ambiance, guest boaters welcome.
Sportboothafen Wolfsburg (km approx. 230)
Location: Close to the city, narrow harbor entrance.
Facilities: Small facility, berths for recreational boats, basic utilities.
Special Feature: Proximity to Autostadt and downtown Wolfsburg.
Sportboothafen Haldensleben (km 300.3)
Location: Eastern section of the canal.
Facilities: 40 berths, supply and disposal facilities.
Special Feature: Near the Magdeburg Waterway Junction.
These harbors provide recreational boaters with good infrastructure and often access to local attractions. Note that the Mittellandkanal is heavily used by commercial shipping—caution is advised due to wake and suction effects. For longer trips, a German inland boating license (Sportbootführerschein Binnen) is recommended for boats over 15 horsepower, while smaller boats up to 15 hp are license-free. Enjoy your time on the water!
