From Oberspreewald to Unterspreewald

This impressive canoe day trip starts in Lübben and takes in all the scenic charm of the Unterspreewald. The section from the Hartmannsdorf weir in particular runs through striking natural surroundings where you can enjoy the peace and quiet as well as spotting cormorants and coots. This bushland area partly belongs to the core zone of the biosphere reserve and has been a protected site since 1938, so it is one of the oldest nature reserves in the Spreewald. On the wetlands you will often see storks searching for food. This tour also take canoeists past one of the most beautiful villages in Brandenburg, namely Schlepzig. 

Length: 21 kilometres / 1 day

Start: Lübben (Spreewald)
Finish: Leibsch (Unterspreewald)

How to get there:

• Public transport: From Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof), take the RE2 (Cottbus) to Lübben (approximately 1 hour)
• Car: From Berlin via the A13 and B115 to Lübben (approximately 1 hour).

Route: Lübben, Spree, Schlepzig, Quaaspree, Puhlstrom, Leibsch

Route description:
From the starting point at Schlossinsel, the tour goes to the main section of the River Spree (Hauptspree) where the River Berste crosses the River Spree after a small bend in the latter. Here you can stop off for your first break – for example at Gasthaus Lehnigksberg. Soon after this, the overflow channel also meets the Spree and the waterway then leads into the Hartmannsdorf weir. Here, Gasthaus Petkamsberg is the perfect place for a break. 
The tour continues to Schlepzig. There are several routes to the village, including the main River Spree (Hauptspree), and when you get there you will be impressed by the farm museum. The tour then goes on to Leibsch, which can be reached either on the main River Spree (Hauptspree) or via a detour on River Puhlstrom to the west of the Spree. 
You now reach Neu-Lübbenau, where the Puhlstrom and the main River Spree (Hauptspree) come together again. The tour now continues along the Spree itself, which is about two metres deep at this point with quite a fast current. Leibsch is the final destination of this canoe tour. At the weir there is a resting place where you can also stay the night.

On-shore outings:

• Lübben: Schlossinsel, palace, museum and Paul Gerhardt church
• Schlepzig: Museum of agricultural history, half-timbered church from 1782
• Leibsch: Open-air museum in a refurbished double weir facility 

Nautical information: 

• Strong current at Hartmannsdorf weir – as is generally the case in the Unterspreewald 
• The Puhlstrom may only be used from July onwards outside the breeding period. Alternatively, the main River Spree (Hauptspree) can also be used during this time.
• At Neu-Lübbenau, where the Puhlstrom and the main River Spree (Hauptspree) meet again, a narrow channel leads into the village. The tour then continues along the Spree, which is about two metres at this point with quite a fast current.

Maps/Literature:

• "DKV-Gewässerführer für Ostdeutschland: Kanuführer für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Berlin, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen und Sachsen (DKV-Regionalführer)", Deutscher Kanu-Verband; Auflage 4 (1. April 2011), ISBN-13: 978-3934014282, Euro 9.95
• "TourenAtlas Wasserwandern / TA5 Berlin-Brandenburg mit Spreewald: Oder, Havel, Spree + Nebengewässer", 1: 75.000 & 1: 25.000, Verlag: Jübermann, Auflage: 5 (5. Juli 2013), ISBN-13: 978-3929540666, Euro 25
• "Kanu Kompakt Spreewald Mai 2014 - mit topografischen Wasserwanderkarten", Thomas Kettler Verlag, Auflage: 2. (5. Mai 2014), ISBN-13: 978-3934014282, Euro 9.95