DAMME CANOE FIELD GUIDE
Die Natürliche: A 13‑km paddling corridor through Damme’s hidden wetlands
A detailed field guide to the 13 km canoe run from Dümmerlohausen to Diepholz—what you’ll see, where you’ll portage, and what to bring for a six‑hour day on the Hunte.
Die Natürliche: A 13‑km paddling corridor through Damme’s hidden wetlands.
Die Natürliche is a concise, uncompromising river run: 13 km of paddling that threads the Dümmerrandkanal into the Hunte, passes through a protected nature reserve and open meadow country, and finishes at Diepholz after a series of weirs and deliberate portages.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A nature reserve and meadow watercourse
The route begins along the Dümmerrandkanal through a nature reserve and then follows the Hunte between wide, pastoral meadows—an environment defined by quiet, reed‑lined banks and open sky.
Two demanding portages
There are two umtragestellen on the course; both are not simple and require some athleticism, making this run a technical day trip rather than a lazy float.
An artistic bridge and a numbered span
Roughly 8 km in lies a bridge described outright as a piece of art where paddlers commonly stop; later, a large bridge marked with the year 1967 signals the approach to the Diepholz exit.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Expect a six‑hour day: roughly 3–3.5 hours of actual paddling to cover 13 km, beginning with a sheltered stretch through the reserve, moving into open meadow channels, negotiating weirs that may force you to shoulder and ferry a canoe, and finishing with a slow glide into Diepholz where the town remains largely invisible from the water until the final bridge.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The course is only to be paddled between 01.07 and 31.10; heavy weed in July–mid‑August can affect passage and tours may be cancelled in extreme cases.
Pack spare clothing, weather‑appropriate layers, food and non‑alcoholic drinks, and sun protection (hat and sunscreen).
Meet at the Kanueinsatzstelle Dümmerlohausen; transfers run from the Lembruch canoe site to the launch and back after the tour.
Plan for a six‑hour outing with approximately 3–3.5 hours of paddling to cover the 13 km route.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the route and how much paddling time should I expect?
The route is 13 km; total outing time is about 6 hours with roughly 3–3.5 hours of paddling.
Where do we meet before the tour?
Meeting takes place at the Kanueinsatzstelle Dümmerlohausen.
Are there any portages or difficult sections?
Yes—there are two portages; both are not simple and require some athleticism. Also, weirs along the route may force carrying the canoe depending on water level.
When is the route open?
The stretch is only to be paddled between 01.07 and 31.10; heavy vegetation in July–mid‑August can affect passage and may lead to cancellation.
Is there a discount program or special transfer arrangement?
Members of Hansefit receive a €10 discount (scan the QR code on the day). Drivers transport participants to the Dümmerlohausen launch and then travel to the Lembruch canoe site for pickup before the tour and return after the tour.
Are there docks at the start and finish?
No—neither the launch nor the exit has a dock; you must enter and exit through grassy banks.
Where can I find maps and detailed route information?
A route map and additional route information are provided as downloadable PDFs by the operator.