Canoe tour from Ratzdorf or Fürstenberg to Aurith

The Oder downstream!

The canoe tour starts in Ratzdorf, an old boatman village on a valley sand island of the Oder meadow at the confluence of the Lausitzer Neiße into the Oder. From here it is 20 km downstream along the Oder, passing the remains of the blown-up Oder bridge at Kłopot on the Polish side until you reach Fürstenberg, a district of Eisenhüttenstadt.

Start: Ratzdorf
Destination: Aurith
Route: Ratzdorf - Fürstenberg (Eisenhüttenstadt) - Aurith
Length: approx. 24 km; Duration: approx. 4 - 5 hours
Note: Alternatively, the tour can also start in Fürstenberg and then be shortened to half the distance or time.

Fürstenberg was largely able to preserve its historic old town center with many listed buildings, making it a special feature among the cities on the Oder. The steelworks in Eisenhüttenstadt is connected to the Oder via the Oder-Spree Canal and does not disturb the natural experience. The industrial plants typical of large rivers are not found here between Guben and Frankfurt (Oder).

However, this does not mean that there is nothing to discover on the riverbank. Numerous waterfowl nest and hunt here. The banks of the Oder are sandy here, and there are many resting places between the groynes that also invite you to swim. However, swimming in the middle of the current should be avoided as the current is relatively strong at about 7 km/h. After 24 km of relaxation, you reach Aurith with its boat dock. Here you can stretch your legs properly and take a few steps on the dike crest or refresh yourself near the banks of the Oder.

At the end of the tour, you can also enjoy a ride and take the new ferry over to Urad, where you can climb the 30-meter high observation tower with a panoramic view of the jungle, meadows, and the Oder. Tip for romantics: Let the paddling tour pass in review from a bird's eye view during sunset.