Elbe-Seitenkanal
115.05 km | 71.49 mi
Length can differ from official measure!
Kanal
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The Elbe Lateral Canal (ESK) is an approximately 115-kilometer-long federal waterway that runs between Wolfsburg (Mittelland Canal, km 249) and Artlenburg an der Elbe (km 0). It was built between 1968 and 1976 to bypass the tidal and often difficult-to-navigate Elbe River for commercial shipping and to create a direct connection to the Mittelland Canal. For recreational boaters, the canal offers a calm, technically interesting route with modern infrastructure. However, due to its practicality and straight course, it offers less scenic beauty than natural waterways. Nevertheless, it is accessible and usable for canoeists, rowers, and recreational boaters.
Harbors and Moorings for Recreational Boating
The Elbe Lateral Canal is primarily designed for commercial shipping, which is why harbors and moorings for recreational boating are comparatively sparse and functional. Nevertheless, there are several points of contact suitable for water sports enthusiasts:
Wolfsburg Harbor (km 115, Mittelland Canal connection): The canal begins at the Sülfeld lock of the Mittelland Canal. In Wolfsburg, there are moorings in the area of the city harbor and the Wolfsburg Water Sports Club, although these are more oriented toward the Mittelland Canal. The infrastructure is solid, with access to restrooms and proximity to the city.
Wendschott Water Hiking Rest Area (km 105): A simple mooring with a jetty and shoreline, suitable for short breaks. There are no comprehensive facilities, but the quiet location is pleasant.
Calberlah Marina (km 95): A small, private harbor with moorings for pleasure boats. It offers basic amenities and protection from swell, but is not publicly managed.
Uelzen Berth (km 65, near Uelzen I Lock): Near Uelzen I and II Locks, there are easy moorings for pleasure boats, especially for waiting berths. The town of Uelzen is a short walk away, offering shopping opportunities and sightseeing (e.g., the Hundertwasser train station).
Lüneburg/Scharnbeck Ship Lift (km 31): This impressive ship lift—one of the largest of its kind in the world—does not offer permanent berths, but waiting berths above and below the lift are available for use. The 38-meter drop in elevation is a technical highlight for recreational boaters.
Lauenburg Harbor (km 0, Elbe): At the end of the canal, the ESK flows into the Elbe near Artlenburg, but the nearby Lauenburg Sports Harbor on the Elbe (approx. 2 km downstream) is a popular destination. It offers modern moorings, sanitary facilities, electricity, and water, as well as good connections to the historic old town.
Along the canal, there are also a few dolphins and small jetties without shore access, but these are mostly intended for short stops. The canal is surrounded by dams and embankments, which limit the number of access points.
Special features for recreational boaters
The Elbe Lateral Canal is open to pleasure boats up to 55 meters long, 8.2 meters wide, and 2 meters deep, although smaller boats are common. Important aspects for use:
Locks and lift: The canal has two locks (Uelzen I and II, km 65-66) and the Scharnebeck boat lift (km 31), which are passable for pleasure boats. The locks overcome small differences in elevation (approx. 4-9 m), while the lift bridges the 38 meters to the Elbe. Waiting times may occur due to commercial shipping.
Swell: Commercial shipping (especially container ships) creates swell, which is why sheltered berths should be preferred.
Infrastructure: There are no fuel stations directly on the canal; fuel must be arranged on land, for example in Uelzen or Lauenburg.
Landscape: The canal runs in a straight line through a rather monotonous agricultural landscape, often elevated above the surrounding countryside. The technical structures are the main attraction.
Traffic: The canal is heavily frequented by commercial shipping, which requires caution, especially when encountering large vessels.
Conclusion
The Elbe Lateral Canal is a functional waterway with limited but usable berths for recreational boaters. Highlights such as the Scharnebeck Ship Lift and the connection between the Mittelland Canal and the Elbe make it interesting, especially for technically minded water sports enthusiasts. It is less suitable for a relaxed tour with a focus on nature or comfort, but it offers solid options as a transit route or day trip. From Lauenburg the Elbe opens, from Wolfsburg the Mittelland Canal opens – ideal for longer inland routes.
Harbors and Moorings for Recreational Boating
The Elbe Lateral Canal is primarily designed for commercial shipping, which is why harbors and moorings for recreational boating are comparatively sparse and functional. Nevertheless, there are several points of contact suitable for water sports enthusiasts:
Wolfsburg Harbor (km 115, Mittelland Canal connection): The canal begins at the Sülfeld lock of the Mittelland Canal. In Wolfsburg, there are moorings in the area of the city harbor and the Wolfsburg Water Sports Club, although these are more oriented toward the Mittelland Canal. The infrastructure is solid, with access to restrooms and proximity to the city.
Wendschott Water Hiking Rest Area (km 105): A simple mooring with a jetty and shoreline, suitable for short breaks. There are no comprehensive facilities, but the quiet location is pleasant.
Calberlah Marina (km 95): A small, private harbor with moorings for pleasure boats. It offers basic amenities and protection from swell, but is not publicly managed.
Uelzen Berth (km 65, near Uelzen I Lock): Near Uelzen I and II Locks, there are easy moorings for pleasure boats, especially for waiting berths. The town of Uelzen is a short walk away, offering shopping opportunities and sightseeing (e.g., the Hundertwasser train station).
Lüneburg/Scharnbeck Ship Lift (km 31): This impressive ship lift—one of the largest of its kind in the world—does not offer permanent berths, but waiting berths above and below the lift are available for use. The 38-meter drop in elevation is a technical highlight for recreational boaters.
Lauenburg Harbor (km 0, Elbe): At the end of the canal, the ESK flows into the Elbe near Artlenburg, but the nearby Lauenburg Sports Harbor on the Elbe (approx. 2 km downstream) is a popular destination. It offers modern moorings, sanitary facilities, electricity, and water, as well as good connections to the historic old town.
Along the canal, there are also a few dolphins and small jetties without shore access, but these are mostly intended for short stops. The canal is surrounded by dams and embankments, which limit the number of access points.
Special features for recreational boaters
The Elbe Lateral Canal is open to pleasure boats up to 55 meters long, 8.2 meters wide, and 2 meters deep, although smaller boats are common. Important aspects for use:
Locks and lift: The canal has two locks (Uelzen I and II, km 65-66) and the Scharnebeck boat lift (km 31), which are passable for pleasure boats. The locks overcome small differences in elevation (approx. 4-9 m), while the lift bridges the 38 meters to the Elbe. Waiting times may occur due to commercial shipping.
Swell: Commercial shipping (especially container ships) creates swell, which is why sheltered berths should be preferred.
Infrastructure: There are no fuel stations directly on the canal; fuel must be arranged on land, for example in Uelzen or Lauenburg.
Landscape: The canal runs in a straight line through a rather monotonous agricultural landscape, often elevated above the surrounding countryside. The technical structures are the main attraction.
Traffic: The canal is heavily frequented by commercial shipping, which requires caution, especially when encountering large vessels.
Conclusion
The Elbe Lateral Canal is a functional waterway with limited but usable berths for recreational boaters. Highlights such as the Scharnebeck Ship Lift and the connection between the Mittelland Canal and the Elbe make it interesting, especially for technically minded water sports enthusiasts. It is less suitable for a relaxed tour with a focus on nature or comfort, but it offers solid options as a transit route or day trip. From Lauenburg the Elbe opens, from Wolfsburg the Mittelland Canal opens – ideal for longer inland routes.
