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Cruising guides - Germany: rivers and canals

A guide for your boating holiday in Germany (rivers and canals)? Here are cruising guides and directions that inform you about navigation and marinas.

Inland Waterways of Germany (Revised First Edition)

This is the only comprehensive directory to the entire navigable German waterway system available in English. After a general introduction to the area, details of German formalities and cruising notes, each river and canal is described in detail and supported by a table of distances indicating locks, bridges, mooring places and other features.
The text is supported by small scale mapping and colour photographs.

Barry Sheffield's first edition of this book was published in 1995 shortly after the reunification of Germany. He had spent several years exploring the navigable waterways and, with the assistance of Konrad Nussbaum, the acknowledged expert on German rivers and canals, he produced this authoritative work on the subject.
Barry Sheffield died some years ago and this revised edition has been produced as a result of many contributions from users of the original book. Catherine and John Best have completely recompiled many of the original tables, brought information up to date and supplied excellent new photographs.
Robert Thomas has contributed a more general update, in particular to the introductory sections.

Product details

Author:Barry Sheffield, Catherine Best, John Best
Details:183 pages, 30 x 21.5 x 1.9 cm / 11.8 x 8.5 x 0.75 in, paperback
Illustrations:numerous colour photos and maps
Publisher:Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson Ltd (GB, 2016)
ISBN:9781846234637
Cover book Inland Waterways of Germany (Revised First Edition)

Inland Waterways of Germany (Revised First Edition)

Language: English

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Binnentouren Deutschland: Die 23 schönsten Touren

NEW

Germany's inland waterways offer ideal routes for boating holidays, with protected natural areas, gentle hills, historic towns, and vibrant cities waiting to be explored. Whether planning a day trip or a longer summer journey, this guide provides everything in one volume.

It presents 23 varied route suggestions, from short trips to multi-week cruises. Each includes practical details such as bridge clearance heights, locks, harbours, and more.

Travel past castles along the Moselle, relax in East Frisia, or visit Berlin's city centre by boat. The guide supports trip planning with maps, regulations, and information on water depths, river widths, bridges, and overnight moorings.

Covered waterways: Danube, Neckar, Lahn, Moselle, Rhine, Saar, Main, Havel, Elbe, Müritz, Spree, Mittelland Canal, Ems, Coastal Canal, Kiel Canal, and Weser.

Product details

Author:Frank Koorneef
Details:224 pages, 24 x 16.5 x 2.2 cm / 9 x 6.5 x 0.87 in, paperback
Illustrations:233 photos, 24 maps
Publisher:Delius Klasing Verlag GmbH (D, 2024)
ISBN:9783667128331
Cover book Binnentouren Deutschland: Die 23 schönsten Touren

Binnentouren Deutschland: Die 23 schönsten Touren

Language: German

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Der Rhein - Von den Schweizer Alpen bis zum Mündungsdelta

World-famous cities such as Strasbourg, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Rotterdam are located on the banks of the Rhine, as are Konstanz on Lake Constance, Schaffhausen at the Rhine Falls and Speyer, Worms and Mainz with their important cathedrals.
Wine in particular characterizes the natural and cultural area of the Rhine. In addition to the Kaiserstuhl in Baden and the Rheingau and Rheinhessen, it is above all the steep slopes of the Middle Rhine Valley that contribute to the fame of the fine wines.

Over 175 images show world-famous sights on Europe's great river as well as lesser-known gems.

Pages of the book Der Rhein (1)

Product details

Author:Brigitte Merz, Erich Spiegelhalter, Alexander Eckardt
Details:140 pages, 30 x 24 cm / 11.8 x 9 in, hardback
Illustrations:175 colour photos
Publisher:Stürtz Verlag (D, 2017)
ISBN:9783800342020
Cover book Der Rhein - Von den Schweizer Alpen bis zum Mündungsdelta

Der Rhein - Von den Schweizer Alpen bis zum Mündungsdelta

Language: German

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Die Donau: Von Kelheim zum Schwarzen Meer

A boat trip on the Danube offers the opportunity to explore some of Europe's most beautiful cultural and natural regions from the water. As one of the longest rivers in Europe, the Danube crosses ten countries and provides recreational boaters with a wide range of experiences along its 2.800 kilometres.

Melanie Haselhorst and Kenneth Dittmann have travelled the river several times and share their knowledge in this compact guide, intended for those planning their own boating trips.

This Danube guide contains practical information for a safe and enjoyable journey. Clear river maps show key navigation points and support orientation on inland waters. Helpful tips from the authors and detailed marina and mooring plans assist with arrival and docking.

A general information section explains the river's navigation conditions, specific features, and gives advice on suitable boat equipment. The guide also includes suggestions for excursions and sightseeing along the river.

Whether you prefer quiet cruising in nature or visiting lively cities along the Danube, this guide helps you prepare for your journey.

Product details

Author:Melanie Haselhorst, Kenneth Dittmann
Details:328 pages, 24.5 x 18 x 2.7 cm / 9.7 x 7.1 x 1.06 in, hardback
Illustrations:396 photos, 177 maps
Publisher:Delius Klasing Verlag GmbH (D, 2022)
ISBN:9783667121721
Cover book Die Donau: Von Kelheim zum Schwarzen Meer

Die Donau: Von Kelheim zum Schwarzen Meer

Language: German

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Mosel - Von der Quelle bis zur Mündung

The ancient poet Ausonius sang about it two thousand years ago in his "Mosella", and other writers were also impressed by the river landscape of the Moselle in one way or another: while Goethe probably found his emotional "Werther style" in Ehrenbreitstein, Tucholsky sneered at the imperial monument at the "Deutsches Eck", which had the "ornamental measles".
From here Hanns-Josef Ortheil undertook his "Moselreise" to Trier. Sophie von La Roche's literary salon was just as important for the cultural history of the Moselle as the "reading societies" in Koblenz and Trier.

The smaller - and perhaps more important - stories, however, took place in the villages and towns between the source at the Col de Bussang and the mouth of the Rhine. Karl Marx's parents had their vineyard here on the Ruwer, and Günther Jauch currently has his here on the Saar. The vineyards along these two rivers belong to the famous Mosel wine-growing region, which is home to numerous renowned wineries.

This book takes you on a river trip from the source in the southern Vosges through the fascinating valley meanders with the steep vineyard terraces to the mouth of the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz. The urban highlights such as Metz in France, Schengen in Luxembourg or Trier, Traben-Trarbach and Cochem are shown in detail.

Product details

Author:Brigitte Merz, Erich Spiegelhalter, Michael Kühler
Details:160 pages, 30 x 24 cm / 11.8 x 9 in, hardback
Illustrations:229 colour photos
Publisher:Stürtz Verlag (D, 2020)
ISBN:9783800344901
Cover book Mosel - Von der Quelle bis zur Mündung

Mosel - Von der Quelle bis zur Mündung

Language: German

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Der Bodensee

Lake Constance is one of the largest inland lakes in Germany and the third largest in Central Europe. It offers ideal conditions for sailing and boating. This harbour guide by Daniel Knopp covers the entire Lake Constance region across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

It provides detailed descriptions of all ports, including aerial views, harbour plans, and approach tips. In addition to navigation advice, it includes information on the local weather warning system and the Bodensee boat licence. Recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and services help with planning longer trips.

The revised edition covers all parts of the lake - Obersee, Untersee, and Überlinger See - and gives insights into the region's cultural and natural highlights. The guide also offers background on the area's history and practical suggestions for shore excursions and family-friendly sailing.

Whether travelling with a private berth or on a chartered boat, this guide is a practical companion for exploring Lake Constance.

Product details

Author:Daniel Knopp
Details:244 pages, 30.5 x 21.5 x 2.5 cm / 12 x 8.5 x 0.98 in, hardback
Illustrations:211 photos, 83 maps
Publisher:Delius Klasing Verlag GmbH (D, 2023)
ISBN:9783667122131
Cover book Der Bodensee

Der Bodensee

Language: German

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Der Dortmund-Ems-Kanal - 265 Kilometer Wasserstraße von A bis Z

The Dortmund-Ems Canal is the middle section of the network of waterways between the Rhine and the Elbe. It connects the largest canal port in Europe - Dortmund - with Emden's seaport on the North Sea, once Germany's ore and coal port for the Ruhr region. But "coal to the mountain and ore to the valley" is long gone. The canal has had to reinvent itself again and again, was expanded, rebuilt and rerouted.

This book, which follows on from the volume on the Mittelland Canal, portrays the Dortmund-Ems Canal in a factual and multifaceted way and offers - rounded off by a detailed chronicle - sober information as well as entertaining, sometimes surprising stories.

Product details

Author:Bernd Ellerbrock
Details:276 pages, 22.5 x 24.5 x 2.5 cm / 8.9 x 9.7 x 0.98 in, hardback
Illustrations:400 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:DGEG Medien GmbH (D, 2017)
ISBN:9783946594116
Cover book Der Dortmund-Ems-Kanal - 265 Kilometer Wasserstraße von A bis Z

Der Dortmund-Ems-Kanal - 265 Kilometer Wasserstraße von A bis Z

Language: German

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Last update: 10/06/2025