Camburg – Weißenfels

This tour begins in the city of Camburg, along the Saale River. Throughout the tour you will experience 2 – 3 “Pass-around Points” for which you will have to exit the river with your canoe, and re-enter a short distance down stream.

Once under way, this tour will bring you past the vineyards of the city of Kaatschen, and through Germany’s Northern-most wine growing region.

Throughout the trip you will pass small islands in the river. You will also pass two ruins, which are located high above the river on your right side– the Medieval Rudelsburg and Saaleck Forts. It was during his stay at the Rudelsburg in 1826, that poet and historian, Franz Kugler, was inspired to write the song “An der Saale Hellem Strande”.

If you like, you can take a small rest in the quaint therapeutic city of Bad Kösen. Here you can breathe the rejuvenating salty sea air produced from the “Gradierwerk” twig towers, or literally translated, “Graduation Towers”. The steam from the towers passes through the twigs, and it is said that the salty air helps to improve the health and wellbeing of its visitors.

Continuing down the Saale you will pass picturesque vineyards of Bad Kösen and Kloster Pforta Monastery. The views here are breath taking, as towering cliffs seem to appear directly out of the water.

Shortly before arriving in Naumburg the river quickens, creating a rapid. At this point in the tour you will experience a “pass-around point”. Here you must exit the river with your canoe, and re-enter a short walk down stream. As you continue on your way down the Saale you will be able to experience the joining of the Ustrutt River and the Saale.

It is important to note that in the last stretch of the river, motorboats are permitted and could cross your path.

The city of Naumburg will appear on the right side of the river, with its famous Cathedral and Wenzel-Church, designed in the late gothic style. Here the Saale spreads into a wide riverbed as it continues its journey through the Saale River Valley.

From Naumburg to Weißenfels the Saale runs by the Schönburg Fort, which is located 40m above the river on a sandstone rock. Approximately 5 kilometres down stream from the Schönburg Fort, the Castle Goseck is strategically situated on the left riverbank. The Castle functions today as a restaurant as well as a music and cultural centre.

The next noteworthy city the Saale brings you to is the city of Weißenfels. Weißenfels is known, among other things, for housing one of the largest Early-Baroque palace grounds in Central Germany, Schloss (Castle) Neu-Augustusburg.

This tour ends in the centre of the city Weißenfels.

  • Safety instruction und rules of paddling on rivers
  • Introduction in the handling of the boats and paddling-techniques
  • Route-explanation and notes on pass-around points and locks
  • A relaxing trip in the Saale valley
  • Duration: approx. 7 hours per day
  • Organized transfer after the tour
  • Canoe, kayak or raft
  • Paddle
  • Life-jackets / swimming vests
  • Waterproof luggage-box
  • Map
  • Appropriate clothes / shoes according to weather conditions
  • i.e. sunscreen / headgear
  • 2nd outfit / towel
  • Start: negotiable

€ 59 (adult) / 38 € (child)

Difficulty: Medium

 

in canoe / kayak / raft

  • incl. equipment
  • incl. transfer
  • Distance: 52 km / Duration: 7 hrs. per day
  • Pass-around points and/or Locks: 2 – 3