Raft tour through the Untere Havelniederung flood plain

Discover the aquatic landscape of the Untere Havel as it weaves through the Westhavelland Nature Park. If it’s peace and tranquillity you’re looking for, central Europe’s largest connected wetland area is exactly the place for you. A wide range of flora and fauna awaits you on this quiet section with lots of tributaries.Length/Duration: 35 kilometres (1–2 days)Start: Plaue / Finish: Optikstadt RathenowHow to get there:Public transport: Take the RE1 (Magdeburg) from Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof) to Kirchmöser. From here, take bus E/525 (Hohenstücken Nord) to Gartenstadt Plauen and then walk around 2 kilometres to Plauen (approximately 2 hours).Car: From Berlin via the A115, A10, A2, B102 and the B1 to Plauen (about 1.5 hours).Route: Plaue, Pritzerbe/Kützkow, Bahnitz, Premnitz, Milow, Optikstadt RathenowDetour: Start the tour in Brandenburg an der Havel and sail along the western Havel lake area towards Plaue.On-shore outings:Plaue: A fishing town, shops with fresh catch from several local fishers, Fontane-Weg footpath with a historic trio comprising the castle, park and churchPritzerbe/Kützkow: Rohrweberei (cane weaving mill) with a demonstration workshop, churchBahnitz: Artists’ village with an art yard, a Kneipp station and lots of artists’ studios.Premnitz: Lucke-Hof monument siteMilow: Westhavelland Nature Park CentreOptikstadt Rathenow: Optikpark, Optikindustriemuseum, Kirchberg hill with the St. Marien-Andreas-Kirche churchnautical information: Waterski route at Tieckow, Havelfähre ferry between Pritzerbe and Kützkow, lock further along the River Havel in front of Bahnitz. Accessing the banks of the lake is only allowed in the whole nature reserve at the natural bathing areas. The locks are managed by the central remote control office in Rathenow.Places for mooring:Pritzerbe/Kützkow: it’s possible to moor on the left-hand side by the campsite in front of Kützkow, or in Pritzerbe itself at two ports on the right-hand bank.Bahnitz: Community jettyPremnitz: Landing stage and boat harbourMilow: centre for water tourismOptikstadt Rathenow: Enter the Rathenower Havel on the right, mooring available right in front of the urban lock.
Never sailed before? Our rafts are mostly very manoeuvrable and easy to handle even for people without much experience. You should still observe the following:
Leave sufficient space from other boats for your first parking manoeuvres.Wait until you’ve got a bit of experience sailing the raft before you go through your first lock.Don’t sail at wind speeds higher than 4.Rafts with more than 15 horsepower require a licence and charter certificate.Licence: not requiredMaps/Literature: "TourenAtlas Wasserwandern / TA5 Berlin-Brandenburg mit Spreewald: Oder, Havel, Spree + Nebengewässer, 1:75.000 & 1:25.000, Verlag: Jübermann, Auflage: 5 (5. Juli 2013), ISBN-13: 978-3929540666, Euro 25