Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Lübeck Falkenstraße for check-in, briefing and equipment handover.

Is overnight accommodation included?

No. Overnight stays must be booked separately; many guests use Wakenitz-Camp for cabins or campsites.

What equipment is provided?

Paddles, life jackets, one dry cargo container per boat and one dry bag per person, plus a route description and briefing are included.

How difficult is the route?

The route is low in technical difficulty but requires moderate fitness for several hours of paddling per day.

Yes; pricing includes children in a Canadier and double kayaks with child rates, but supervise younger paddlers and ensure they wear life jackets.

How do I avoid disturbing wildlife?

Keep distance from shorelines during nesting season, store food securely, and pack out all trash to minimize impact.

Two-Day Wakenitz Paddle: Lübeck to Rothenhusen and Back | Canoe | Environmental Attraction

Adventure Brief

Paddle the gentle Wakenitz from Lübeck to Rothenhusen on a relaxed, wildlife-rich two-day out-and-back. Book gear in Lübeck, sleep at Wakenitz-Camp or a nearby campsite, and return the next day refreshed and full of bird sightings.

2 days (approx. 3.5–5 hours per day)

moderate

From €60.92

On the edge of Lübeck, the Wakenitz carves a slow, reed-lined channel between urban streets and quiet wetlands. The 2 Tagestour Wakenitz (Lübeck - Rothenhusen - Lübeck) is a two-day out-and-back paddle that follows this sheltered river, offering calm current, ribboned alder banks and open passages toward Ratzeburger See. You meet at Lübeck Falkenstraße for a short orientation and gear check before launching.

Each day on the water runs about 3.5–5 hours depending on pace and stops. Paddlers choose between Canadier, single or double kayaks; the trip includes paddles, life jackets, a dry cargo container per boat plus one dry bag per person, a route description and hands-on briefing. Prices vary by craft: Canadier adults €58, children in a Canadier €18, single kayak €69, double kayak adults €61, double kayak children €36. Overnight lodging is separate; many teams book a pitch or cabin at Wakenitz-Camp to fall asleep to reed chorus and distant waterfowl.

The Wakenitz is a bird-and-insect corridor: dragonflies wheel over glassy pools, kingfishers flash along braided channels, and wary otters sometimes surface. Vegetation shifts from marsh grasses to willow and alder stands, and the river flows through protected habitats that feel far from the city despite being minutes from Lübeck’s center. Paddling here is intimate — narrow bends and quiet back-channels reward a slow rhythm and an eye for small details.

The itinerary is straightforward: handover and briefing in Lübeck, self-guided paddle downriver to Rothenhusen (or onward to Ratzeburger See), overnight, then an easy morning return to Lübeck and equipment drop-off. The trip is ideal for couples, families with competent kids, or small groups who want a low-stress micro-expedition with real wildlife encounters and flexible camping options.

Practical notes: wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear; bring a refillable water bottle and personal items; if camping, pack a tent, sleeping bag and mat. The route suits paddlers with basic boat-handling skills and moderate fitness for several hours on the water, but technical difficulty is low. Mind local wildlife by keeping distance, storing food securely, and using biodegradable products.

This two-day paddle blends urban access with woodland riverscape, making the Wakenitz one of Schleswig-Holstein’s most accessible wild-water escapes. It’s simple to book through the rental station in Lübeck and arrange a night at Wakenitz-Camp, creating a compact trip that feels like a proper retreat.

Before you go, confirm craft availability and hours at the Lübeck desk; the provided kit covers basic safety but bring a first-aid kit and spare socks. Groups should pack out all trash and avoid shorelines during bird-breeding season to reduce disturbance. With short distances and flexible overnight options, this route is perfect for paddlers who want wildlife-rich scenery without the logistical weight of an expedition.