Paddle four days down the scenic Lahn River from Gießen to Runkel with Weilburger Touristikbetriebe, navigating boat slides, locks, and historic castles. This self-guided canoe trip combines adventure and local culture with flexible scheduling and easy train access.
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
4 days, approx. 6-7 hours paddling per day
Fitness Level
Good general fitness needed for sustained paddling and handling locks
Wildlife
History
Braunfels Castle, dating back to the 13th century, offers a glimpse into regional medieval culture along the route.
Conservation
The Lahn River is part of a regional conservation effort balancing recreation with habitat preservation for native flora and fauna.
Weilburger Touristikbetriebe
Paddle four days down the scenic Lahn River from Gießen to Runkel with Weilburger Touristikbetriebe, navigating boat slides, locks, and historic castles. This self-guided canoe trip combines adventure and local culture with flexible scheduling and easy train access.
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.
Plan for Schleuse Operation Times
Check the schedules for self-service locks ahead of your trip to avoid delays and ensure smooth paddling.
Bring Rain Gear
Weather on the Lahn can change quickly—pack waterproof clothing to stay comfortable during rain showers.
Start Early Each Day
Aim to finish your daily leg by early evening to set up camp in daylight and enjoy the surrounding towns.
Use Train Access for Return
Leverage the Lahntalbahn train from Runkel for easy transport back to Gießen or your lodging, removing the need for a car.
Waterproof Dry Bags
Keep your gear dry during river travel and unexpected splashes.
Lightweight Rain Jacket
Protection against sudden rain and wind on the river.
spring|summer|fall
Comfortable Paddling Shoes
Non-slip footwear suitable for wet conditions and portaging.
Camping Gear (Tent, Sleeping Bag)
Required for overnight stays at riverside campsites.