Between Here and There from Guben to Fürstenberg

The canoe tour from Guben along the eastern river border to Fürstenberg is by no means an old hat. It is a very popular route for water enthusiasts due to the naturalness of the Neiße. The border areas, which were rarely visited in the past, have preserved the pristine nature of their banks in many places. The forces of the water create a strong current at the point where the Neiße flows into the Oder. The tour offers beautiful views of the natural riverbank landscape and a little bit of excitement.The traditional hat-making town of Guben is a suitable starting point for the border journey between Poland and Germany along the Oder/Neiße water border. In addition to the historical industrial sites, the city offers a beautiful view of several churches.Start: GubenDestination: Fürstenberg district in EisenhüttenstadtLength/Duration: 28 km // 2 daysArrival: Public Transport: From Berlin take the RE1 (Cottbus) to Guben (approx. 2 hours)Car: From Berlin take the A12 and B112 to Guben (approx. 2 hours)Departure: Public Transport: From Eisenhüttenstadt take the RE1 (Magdeburg) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (1.5 hours)Car: From Eisenhüttenstadt take the RE1 (Cottbus) to Guben to pick up the car (approx. 20 minutes)Tour Description:A comfortable entry into the rushing canoe adventure is possible at the Guben Neiße terraces. There, the Neiße picks up speed at 5-6 km/h and flows northwards. Caution is always a good companion, as the current may carry you along, but not always in the right direction. At Patzdorf, the river flows into the wider Oder. Time for a short break at the gauge house.The Oder is significantly deeper and wider than the Neiße. The current is quite strong, and there is busy boat traffic, but the view of both broad banks is a delight. The river landscape unfolds here in full beauty. The destination of this two-day tour is at the Oder-Spree Canal in the Fürstenberg district at the Bollwerk. Fürstenberg is part of the industrial city of Eisenhüttenstadt and offers an interesting historical insight into the urban planning and development of the former GDR. There are gastronomic facilities and other amenities here, as well as a railway connection.Nautical Information: Challenging tour. The Oder is significantly deeper and wider than the Neiße. The current is quite strong.Map Recommendation: DKV-Gewässerführer für Ostdeutschland: Kanuführer für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Berlin, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen und Sachsen (DKV-Regionalführer), German Canoe Association: Edition: 4 (April 1, 2011), ISBN-13: 978-3937743288, 19.95 EurosTourenAtlas Wasserwandern / TA5 Berlin-Brandenburg mit Spreewald: Oder, Havel, Spree + Nebengewässer, 1:75,000 & 1:25,000, Publisher: Jübermann, Edition: 5 (July 5, 2013), ISBN-13: 978-3929540666, 25 Euros