TRAVENTHAL CANOE FIELD GUIDE
Paddling the Mittlere Trave: 17.5 km of winding river, moors and one technical portage
A guided canoe route from Herrenmühle to the Bürgermeisterinsel in Bad Oldesloe — this guide compiles the route, timing and key safety notes you need before you launch.
Paddling the Mittlere Trave: 17.5 km of winding river, moors and one technical portage.
The Premiumtour Mittlere Trave threads 17.5 km through gently rolling Schleswig-Holstein countryside, alternating calm stretches with livelier flows and a handful of short portages; the route begins near Herrenmühle after a short taxi from Bad Oldesloe and finishes at the canoe landing on the Bürgermeisterinsel of Bad Oldesloe.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Varied flow: from serene glides to lively current
The Mittlere Trave offers a supportive, pleasant current that still requires active paddling; tranquil reaches give way to livelier passages so the trip always feels engaging.
Sühlener Mühle — the most demanding portage
Along the route there are two to three Umtragestellen (portages); the most technically challenging is at the Sühlener Mühle, where coordination and a bit of skill are required to pass safely.
Brenner Moor: a quiet nature enclave before Bad Oldesloe
Shortly before Bad Oldesloe the Trave cuts through the Brenner Moor, a riverside moorland with rare salt-meadow character — a fitting natural climax before the final landing.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Expect a full-day paddle of roughly 6.5 hours including a pause: a brief taxi from Bad Oldesloe drops you at Herrenmühle, you slip into an almost unspoiled river course and work downstream through alternating calm and quicker sections, negotiate two to three short portages (the Sühlener Mühle being the trickiest), cross the Brenner Moor and finish at the canoe landing on the Bürgermeisterinsel in Bad Oldesloe.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip works best for — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Plan on roughly 6.5 hours for the outing including a pause; water-level rules can close sections of the Trave on a given day so check conditions before you set out.
You will need a canoe to undertake the tour; factor in provisions for a day on the water and pack for changing conditions during a long paddle and portages.
Meet at the Bad Oldesloe Exer Parkplatz WoMo Stellplatz; the trip includes a short taxi transfer from Bad Oldesloe to the Herrenmühle launch point.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the route and how much time should I set aside?
The trip covers 17.5 km and takes approximately 6.5 hours including a pause.
Where is the meeting point?
The meeting point is the Bad Oldesloe Exer Parkplatz WoMo Stellplatz.
Are there portages on the route?
Yes — expect two to three Umtragestellen (portages) along the way; the most demanding is at the Sühlener Mühle.
What happens if water levels are high?
Navigation is governed by a Rot‑Grün gauge; if the gauge reads 'Rot' the affected section cannot be navigated on that day.
Can weed barriers affect the route?
A seasonal Krautsperre (weed barrier) may be installed and would need to be bypassed or portaged if encountered.
Where does the tour finish?
The tour ends at the canoe landing on the Bürgermeisterinsel in Bad Oldesloe after the 17.5 km paddle.