Paddle 12 km on the scenic Lahn River with Lahntours, encountering hand-operated locks and castle views on an easy family canoe trip from Aumenau to Runkel. Discover why this route is a standout in Hessen’s outdoor scene.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for beginners and children in good health with basic stamina for paddling and light manual effort operating locks.
Wildlife
History
The Lahn River area has been a vital trade and transport route since medieval times, with Runkel’s castles dating back to the 12th century, offering glimpses into Germany’s feudal past.
Conservation
Lahntours operates with a focus on low-impact recreation, encouraging respect for natural habitats and sustainable waterways management.
Lahntours
Paddle 12 km on the scenic Lahn River with Lahntours, encountering hand-operated locks and castle views on an easy family canoe trip from Aumenau to Runkel. Discover why this route is a standout in Hessen’s outdoor scene.
About Lahntours
Lahntours organizes guided and self-guided canoe trips and operates riverside campsites on the Lahn River in Germany. The company offers a broad catalog of single-day paddles, short weekend routes and multi-day tours ranging from day trips up to eight-day expeditions. Departure points include Weilburg, Runkel, Solms-Schohleck, Dorlar, Aumenau and Wetzlar, with routes that pass hand-operated and automatic locks, historic towns, castle views and Germany’s only ship tunnel on the Weilburg–Runkel day tour.
On-site camping options include Lahntours–Campingplatz Runkel and the Zeltplatz Solms-Schohleck. Accommodations range from traditional tent pitches and RV hookups with parking and electricity to furnished six-person tipis with beds. Stays are available for single nights up to week-long campsite bookings; festival periods such as the local Kirmes (late August to early September) create a lively atmosphere at Runkel.
Practical services include bicycle rental in Solms, equipment logistics for multi-day canoe tours, and coordinated check-in and check-out procedures. Lahntours describes family-friendly short tours as well as challenging 28 km day routes for experienced paddlers. Safety elements on the river routes include navigating locks and planned rest stops like beer gardens along the way.
Lahntours emphasizes local river expertise, a wide range of packaged trips, and campsite amenities. The company’s published trip list provides clear options for day paddles, multi-day tours and overnight campsite stays along the Lahn.
Bookings cover one-night stays through multi-day itineraries, and guests can combine canoeing with campsite nights or bike rental for flexible travel along the Lahn corridor throughout the paddling season annually.
Tours Offered
55
Day-to-multi-day routes listed
Accommodations
Tents · RVs · Tipis
Runkel and Solms-Schohleck campsites
Bike Rental
Available
Fahrradverleih in Solms
Trip Lengths
Day–8 days
Short tours to 8-day itineraries
Book a day tour, multi-day paddling itinerary or riverside campsite stay — check availability for Canoe tours, Campingplatz Runkel and Zeltplatz Solms-Schohleck.
Arrive Early for Orientation
Plan to get to the Lahntours station 15-30 minutes before departure for a thorough introduction and safety briefing.
Prepare for Lock Navigation
Be ready to operate two hand-cranked locks during the tour—this adds interactive fun but requires some physical effort.
Bring Waterproof Gear
Pack a dry bag or waterproof container for valuables and a change of clothes in case of splashes or light rain.
Parking and Transfers
If using person transfer from Runkel, confirm pickup times to avoid delays; parking is available near both start and end points.
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
A safety requirement for all participants, provided by Lahntours, ensuring buoyancy on the river.
Waterproof Dry Bag
Protects electronics and valuables from splashes and occasional rain during the trip.
Sun Hat and Sunscreen
Essential to guard against prolonged sun exposure on open river sections.
summer
Layered Clothing
Allows adjustment to changing temperatures and keeps paddlers comfortable throughout the day.
spring|fall|winter