Germany: Go canoeing on the castle-lined River Neckar, from Hirschhorn to Heidelberg.

Do you love the medieval castles of Germany? Then why not try canoeing on the Neckar? Here's all the information you need about equipment rental and the route between Hirschhorn and Heidelberg.

The “Wild Fellow” quite tame

The Neckar , which in former times was known as the “Wild Fellow” had burst through fortress walls and swept away entire villages in its floods, now flows mostly sluggishly along its 362 kilometers from its source to its mouth in the Rhine .

Countless castles, palaces, monasteries, and fortresses are enthroned along the Neckar River. Neckar Canoe Hirschhorn

The name Neckar probably comes from the Indo-European form of the name Nik-r-os, which means “violent, fast river”.

Over the centuries, tolls were collected here. The rich booty made the small towns along the river prosperous and thus attractive. But those wild times are over. Not only do you no longer have to pay tolls when paddling, but the river has also been tamed. Since its expansion into a traffic artery between 1921 and 1968, 27 locks have ensured that the once raging river has now become more of a stagnant body of water—at least in sunny weather.

germany canoe neckar heidelberg

Canoe tour for everyone - from Hirschhorn to Neckargemünd (12km), or further to Heidelberg (24km)

In sunny weather, a canoe trip on the Neckar River through the deeply incised Neckar Valley is one of the most beautiful tours you could wish for. The hills of the Odenwald drop steeply down to the river.

At times, you feel like a trapper in Canada. You can't see the forest for the trees.

The canoe tour starts in Hirschhorn

In between you feel like you are in Canada: only forest and river

The boat tow goes around the locks

There are many barges and excursion boats on the Neckar

27 locks have tamed the once wild fellow

The highlight is the entrance to the student city, Heidelberg

However, this quickly changes as soon as the river bends and you catch a glimpse of one of the medieval castles that stand on the banks.

From Heilbronn via Mosbach, Eberbach, and Heidelberg, the Burgenstrasse (Castle Road) runs almost parallel to the Neckar River. On this approximately 100-kilometer-long section of the lower Neckar River, it passes numerous castles and palaces. Neckarsteinach alone boasts four of them.

One of the highlights is canoeing under the famous old bridge and alongside the even more famous Heidelberg Castle.

Even from afar, the backdrop of the Church of the Holy Spirit and the sandstone Old Bridge with its characteristic towers can be seen against the light . Shortly afterward, Germany's most famous ruin comes into view: the castle .

As a visual highlight: Here the Neckar Valley is at its deepest, cut between the mountains on both sides, which are over 400 meters higher .

Canoe tour Neckar from Hirschhorn to Heidelberg - Step by Step

I have uploaded the GPS data and a detailed tour description to Outdooractive .

The tour starts at the parking lot on the Neckar directly at the slipway in Hirschhorn.

At km 43.5 you pass the cable ferry at Neckarhäuser Hof

If the ferry is moving, wait. Once it docks, paddle past quickly and at a safe distance.Keep Left.

The first lock is the Neckarsteinach weir, km 39.2.

Paddle along the left bank until you see the tracks leading into the water. This is the track for the boat tow. This makes passing through the lock very easy. You lower the cart into the water by the chain, pull the boat onto it, and then push the cart to the other side. It's best to then return the boat tow to a shallow spot right next to the lock.

Then keep left. Caution! From here on, expect increased passenger boat traffic!

Railway bridge at km 34.9

Neckargemünd Friedensbrucke (km 34.2).

If you only want to paddle to Neckargemünd and have rented a canoe, get out here on the left side at the campsite.

If you continue to Heidelberg, you should cross the Friedensbrücke through the right-hand gate . Then change back to the left side.

2. Lock: The Neckargemünd weir at kilometer 30.8 : boat tow on the left side.

Continue on the left until you reach the yacht club (km 28.9).

Move to the right side. Be aware of boat traffic.

3. Lock: HD-Karlstor weir: approx. km 26

Boat tow on the right side.

Important: If you rented a canoe, please call the canoe rental company now so the boat can be picked up promptly. Phone number: 06223/805508

Continue on the right side.

After the second bridge (Theodor-Heuss-Brücke) the finish is on the right side ( Neckarwiese / Heidelberger Wasserschachtel), kilometer 24.1.

Safety instructions

Large cargo ships and excursion boats travel on the Neckar River. Be sure to stay close to the shore.

Further information and links

Canoes can be rented from the Neckargemünd canoe rental shop . The organizers will transport the boats for the selected section of the route. Travel for persons is not included, but thanks to the excellent public transport connections, this is no problem.

Those who wish can also take a multi-day tour, which starts in Mosbach.

Arrival:

The tour is easily accessible by tram. Those arriving by car can park free of charge in the parking lot near the canoe launch .

Sleep:

There are numerous campsites along the Neckar directly on the river.

Eat:

In the towns and villages along the river, you can moor your boat and have something to eat or drink. I particularly like the beer gardens at Gasthaus zum Schwanen and Schwanengarten in Neckarsteinach, under old chestnut trees with a view of the river.