Paddle a 60 km route on the Lahn River from Wetzlar to Runkel, highlighting a thrilling boat slide, historic locks, and a passage through the Weilburg shipping tunnel. Experience nature and history with Weilburger Touristikbetriebe's organized three-day canoe tour.
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3 days, approx. 6-8 hours paddling total
Fitness Level
Participants should have reasonable fitness to paddle multiple hours daily and handle portages.
Wildlife
History
Wetzlar’s connection to Goethe and its historic lock systems reflect a deep cultural and engineering heritage spanning centuries.
Conservation
Efforts to maintain river water quality and preserve native habitats ensure the Lahntal remains a healthy environment for paddlers and wildlife alike.
Weilburger Touristikbetriebe
Paddle a 60 km route on the Lahn River from Wetzlar to Runkel, highlighting a thrilling boat slide, historic locks, and a passage through the Weilburg shipping tunnel. Experience nature and history with Weilburger Touristikbetriebe's organized three-day canoe tour.
Weilburger Touristikbetriebe is a tourism provider based in Weilburg, Hessen, specializing in canoe and outdoor river experiences on the Lahn. The company organizes a broad range of trips from one-day canoe tours to extended multi-day journeys, including 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-day itineraries along sections of the Lahn. Many routes run between well-known start and end points such as Oberbiel, Leun, Gießen, Runkel, Aumenau, Nassau and Weilburg.
Trips include features described in route summaries: paddling through scenic landscapes, navigating hand-operated or self-service locks, stopping at beer gardens, camping at riverside campsites and visiting historical landmarks such as Burg Dehrn and Braunfels Castle. Weilburger Touristikbetriebe also offers specialized student tours (Schülertour) with multi-day formats, and equipment options beyond canoes — including stand up paddling boards, touring bikes, e-bikes and a Weilburger Party Floß for group events.
Scheduling is flexible across many routes with options to extend passages (for example from Runkel toward Diez). The operation serves leisure paddlers, school groups and organized outings, providing local knowledge of the Lahn River corridor. All descriptions and trip choices are presented in third person and reflect the routes and offerings available from Weilburger Touristikbetriebe in Weilburg, Hessen.
Location
Weilburg, Hessen
Base on the Lahn River
Trip Lengths
1–7 days
Single- to multi-day canoe tours
Activities
Canoe, SUP, Bikes, Party Floß
Paddling, student tours and rentals
Route Features
Locks & Camping
Self-service locks and campsites
Search routes, compare 1–7 day canoe tours, student programs, SUP and bike rentals — book a flexible trip from Weilburg today.
Wear a properly fitted life jacket
Life jackets are mandatory for children under 12 and non-swimmers; adults should also consider wearing one for safety.
Book your arrival at least one day early
Stay overnight at the Wetzlar Fischerhütte campsite to rest and prepare before the tour launch.
Be prepared for locks and portages
Expect to navigate four lock systems, which require following specific instructions for safe passage.
Pack rain gear for changing weather
Weather in the Lahntal can be unpredictable; waterproof clothing keeps you comfortable during paddling sessions.
Waterproof dry bags
Protects your gear and clothes from river spray and potential rain.
Lightweight rain jacket
Keeps you dry and warm during unexpected weather changes.
spring|summer|fall
Comfortable paddling gloves
Helps reduce hand fatigue and prevents blisters on long paddling days.
Headlamp or flashlight
Useful for campsite navigation and early mornings or late evenings.