The rivers Dahme, Spree and Oder

Landscape

The rivers Dahme and Spree lead you eastwards into a peaceful area of still lakes.The landscape is characterised by lakes, even though we are on rivers. Most of these lakes are long drawn out and are connected with little channels. In Köpenick the river Dahme ends into the river Spree. Thos who follow the Dahme upwards will see Berlin slowly disappearing and the nature will come to a dominant force.

Due to the reunification this part of the Brandenburg waterways has seen a great upward trend. Nature-lovers will be enthused by a picturesque chain of lakes leading to the famous Scharmützelsee. Small boat houses and holiday cottages line the waterways, but there are still plenty of public harbours and mooring facilities. One of the nicest places to drive through is ‘Little Venetia'.

South of Berlin
In the south of the Berlin city limit a chain of lakes adjoin: the lakes of river Dahme. The green watersides of the lakes Zeuthener See and Sellzugsee deceive the fact, that not far away from these waters a part of Germany’s history was written: in the castle of Königs-Wusterhausen (in the rooms of the tobacco colleagues of Friedrich Wilhelm I.). Also the first years of the radio were influenced from Königs-Wusterhausen. At Prieros every boating crew has to make a decision: Turn right into the silent waters of Teupitz? Or turn left in the direction of Storkow and leading to the large lake Scharmützelsee where you can enjoy medical treatments and wellness in the health resort Bad Saarow? Or straight ahead on river Dahme to the village of Märkisch Buchholz? Through the border-free boat traffic - only possible since the reunification - there is a huge upward trend in the region southeast of Berlin, but you will also find many sheltered, quiet anchor spots.

Southeast of Berlin

Where Berlin ends – in Schmöckwitz – the Spree-Oder-Waterway separates from the river Dahme. After a short break in the lake Seddinsee and after passing lock Wernsdorf the cruise on the canal leads eastwards. On the way to the region Spreewald a break in the small village Fürstenwalde is rather worthwhile. Fürstenwalde offers a 500 years old dome and many game and fun facilities for children. Via the canal Neuhauser Speisekanal the next chain of lakes can be reached, eventually leading to the Schwielochsee in the region of Niederlausitz.

This waterway is a dead-end - therefore you will find little traffic, but nonetheless a good infrastructure of marinas and villages.

River Oder
Those who will continue on the Spree-Oder-Waterway will reach the river Oder in the city of Eisenhüttenstadt. The river itself is the border between Poland and Germany, but since 2008 there are no border controls any more and it is easy for boats to continue- Poland has joined the Schengen Agreement. Down to Franfurt/Slubice the riverbed is shaped by sand banks and groynes. The city of Frankfurt (Oder) offers a lot of young and old culture - therfore a shore leave is well worth its time. Passing the river mouth of the Warthe near Küsterin once again you will find natural water meadows and every now and then some woods. At the village Hohensaaten the choice is yours to follow North to the Baltic Sea and the backwaters of Stettin or to turn westwards in the direction of Berlin or lake Müritz.

The Finow-Oder roundtrip The Finow-Oder roundtrip offers you an excursion into history and technique: From the Oder-Havel-Canal you will come to the Finowcanal – a peaceful waterway with twelve locks, built in the last century. The Finowcanal is the oldest still navigable waterway in Germany. Manual locks, some gem of industrial architecture as well as watersides covered with vegetation give you the feeling of being in another century. After the last lock Liepe you will get to the boat lift of Niederfinow. This steal boat lift accomplishes 36 metres between the Oder-Havel-Canal and the Oder in only five minutes. During this roundtrip excursions to the village Oderberg or to the lake Werbellinsee are worthwhile. From our bases in Hafendorf Müritz or Zeuthen you will need 7 to 14 days to make the Finow-Oder roundtrip and see all the waters around.