Nature Tour SAAR
- start: Water Sports Center on the Banks of the Saar, Hauptstraße 57 a, 54441 Schoden
- destination: Water Sports Center on the Banks of the Saar, Hauptstraße 57a, 54441 Schoden
- medium
- 10,58 km
- 3 hours 30 minutes
- 14 m
- 144 m
- 130 m
- 100 / 100
- 40 / 100
A nature experience in Schoden through the picturesque wine-growing region and the impressive Wiltinger Saarbogen Nature Reserve.
On a canoe tour with Kanu SaarFari on the Saar, you’ll discover the scenic beauty of the Saar Valley in a whole new light. The Wiltinger Saarbogen, a protected nature reserve, is considered by many to be the most beautiful stretch of the Saar with its lively rapids. The scenic experience is one-of-a-kind, as you’ll pass river pools, fields of water lilies, reeds and rushes, and even kingfishers. You can take a break at the Kanzemer weir, and then head back to the starting point via the Saar Canal.
The German Canoe Federation (Bundesverband Kanu e.V.) has designated the Saar from the Serriger weir (km 19) to the mouth of the Saar in Konz (km 0) as a certified canoeing waterway.
General information
Directions
Unguided canoe tour from Schoden – Wiltinger Saarbogen – Kanzemer Barrage – Saar Canal – Schoden.
Difficulty level: slow to moderate current, partly along a navigable waterway.
The tour starts behind the barrage in Schoden. After loading the boats onto the canoe trailer and circling the dam, the most beautiful section of the tour begins through the Wiltinger Saarbogen. Between Schoden and the Kanzem lock, the Saar is virtually untouched. The Wiltinger Saar Bend, a protected nature reserve, really adds excitement to the canoe trip with its lively rapids. The scenery is unique, as you pass river pools, fields of water lilies, and stands of reeds and rushes—and with a little luck, you might even spot kingfishers.
At the Kanzem weir, you can take a break and portage your canoe past the lock using a canoe cart. The route then takes you back to the starting point via the Saar Canal.
Safety Guidelines
Preserve and protect nature!
- As canoeists, we love nature, want to protect and preserve it, and strive to set an example for others.
- To prevent damage from trampling, we start and stop only at designated entry and exit points.
- We do not paddle our boats into reed beds, rushes, or areas with pond lilies and water lilies, so as not to destroy the plants.
- To avoid disturbing waterfowl and other river inhabitants, we do not paddle too close to the animals, stay away from nesting sites and refuge areas, and keep as quiet as possible.
- We make sure that no plastic bottles or other trash fall into the river.
- For species conservation reasons, pets are not allowed on the boat within the nature reserve.
What should you keep in mind?
- The Saar is a major waterway; just as on public roads, there is a strict ban on drugs and alcohol here!
- For their own safety, participants in a canoe tour should be able to swim. Children under 12 years of age should have their first paddling experiences under adult supervision.
- Life jackets provide buoyancy in the event of a capsize and protect against the cold and injury.
- Large commercial vessels always have the right of way. To avoid being caught off guard by a large push boat convoy, canoeists should always paddle along the edge of the river.
- Prohibited and life-threatening areas, such as those in front of weirs, are marked with a red-white-red sign. You must give these areas a wide berth.
- Check current water levels:
Serrig Lock to Kanzem Lock: Navigation prohibited once the water level reaches 390 cm at the Fremersdorf gauge.
Fremersdorf gauge: https://www.hochwasser.rlp.de/flussgebiet/mosel/fremersdorf
From the Kanzem Lock to the mouth of the Saar: Navigation prohibited once the flood mark reaches 520 cm at the Grevenmacher Moselle gauge.
Grevenmacher gauge: https://www.hochwasser.rlp.de/flussgebiet/mosel/grevenmacher
Equipment
What should you bring?
- A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Rain gear, depending on the weather
- Athletic clothing and shoes that can get wet
- A change of clothes
- At least 1 liter of drinking water per person
- A waterproof stuff sack
- A life jacket
- 1 ID card per group
Tip
Highlights: Nature reserve, the Wiltingen bend of the Saar with gentle rapids, floodplain vegetation, water lilies, cormorants, and many water birds.
Getting there
Take the L 138 to reach Schoden on the right bank of the Saar.
Parking
Please park at the sports field/town entrance in Schoden.
There is no parking available at the water sports center.
Public transit
By train:
Take
the Saarbrücken–Trier line to the Schoden/Ockfen train station.For information on current public transportation schedules, visit www.bahn.de or www.vrt-info.de.
Literature
You can obtain the free leisure map for the Saar-Obermosel vacation region from Saar-Obermosel-Touristik at the tourist information offices in Konz (Tel. 06501-6018040) and Saarburg (Tel. 06581-995980).
Or order the map directly from our online brochure shop.
Additional Information
Saar-Obermosel-Touristik, Saarburg Tourist Information, Graf-Siegfried-Str. 32, 54439 Saarburg, Tel. 06581-995980
Saar-Obermosel-Touristik, Tourist Information Konz, Saarstr. 1, 54329 Konz, Tel. 06501-6018040
Email: info@saar-obermosel.de
Visit our website for exclusive tips and information about the Saar-Obermosel vacation region:
https://www.saar-obermosel.de/https://www.saar-obermosel.de/
https://www.facebook.com/saarobermosel
https://www.instagram.com/saarobermosel
https://www.youtube.com/@saarobermosel4183
- Information for rowing boats, canoes, and recreational boating on the Moselle and Saar: www.wsa-mosel-saar-lahn.wsv.de
- Information for water sports enthusiasts on the Saar: www.elwis.de
Canoes and kayaks can be rented from Saar Mosel Adventure GmbH: Email: info@kanusaarfari.de or Phone: 0152 34003462.
Weather
This tour is presented by: Saar-Obermosel-Touristik e.V , Author: Saar-Obermosel-Touristik e.V.