The landscape along the river is scenic, so no wonder the beaver likes it here, too! This is only a few steps away from the River Thur. Like he is saying the Lahn rivers is more suitable for enjoyable kayak tours ( there a quite a number of operators for this ). You know the Lorelei myth, don't you? Ships and their waves will probably your biggest problem. For obvious reasons, the currents suddenly move much quicker and the river got wider. Once the initial shock had subsided we were able to focus on how to rectify the situation. Some parts of the Rhine are more or less safe to paddle on. Day three of the Rhine River Cruise, for example, features an afternoon ride through Germany’s romantic Neckar Valley to the foothills of the Odenwald Forest, followed by a classical concert in the Baroque Mannheim Palace. Then, we make it to the junction where the Thur river floats into the Rhine river. We’re hoping that the next 300km on the Main go smoothly. Like ABALADA above is saying, the Rhine gorge is not good for kayaking, too much ship traffic, as it is the narrowest and fastest flowing part of the Rhine. We now move faster, with less effort, which is even more fun. From the flat northern part that’s littered with lakes and canals, to the industrial western Rhineland and mountainous south, a kayaking holiday in Germany is as varied as it is beautiful. Wiesbaden Rhine Launch - Rhine River - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! It took us around five to six hours to complete, including breaks and at average paddling-strength. Edging our way around the corner to see if anything was coming before we pulled out, Kate let out a yelp of “BARGE!” Moments later, a double-length barge charged past, 180m long and heavily loaded. All rights reserved. Find the right agent for your trip. Switch off your smartphones and enjoy the moment. CANOEING ON THE RHINE. Full of energy after that pleasing encounter with the turtle, we start to paddle like well-trained twenty year olds and make it to Eglisau without any more disasters. After 120 mins paddling down the Rhine on … Eco Africa Volunteer kayakers clearing the Rhine. Minimum age is usually somewhere around 12 years old. We even spent an entertaining evening on a yacht with a wonderful man in his late seventies called Norbert, watching the football and listening with interest to him regaling stories of his life. Reaching Mainz, where we were to leave the Rhine, we secured a home for Benji for the night with a fantastic couple who lived on a houseboat. It's 40 weeks later and you are excited for the big moment. The river widens here, and the combination of the wind and wash from barges created open water conditions, reminiscent of our tougher days on the sea. We park at Alte Steinerstrasse next to the wooden bridge that leads to Kleinandelfingen. Video. We tried to work out whether the water level would rise or fall; Kate could only see three ladder rungs below the surface, suggesting the water would go up. From $2,799 per person. Travel alone 750 kmin 50 days from the Swiss border with my folding canoe down river in the Rhine river to the Netherlands. Enjoy the river country by tubing, rafting, canoeing, and kayaking through the river just north of where George Washington crossed! – At the German Corner. River: Rhine. Working with hundreds of companies our selection of Rhine River kayaking travel articles is one of the largest on the web. Oberbrüelweg 6, 8608 Bubikon The charts I was navigating by showed that the channel for boats slalomed its way down the river, with the ships crossing to-and-fro constantly. It reminds more of a half full bathtub, except that the water is really, really cold. Knee deep into this bargain, our kayak is no longer dry on the inside. There are precious birds breeding. We’ve already had one pleasant surprise as we have managed to convince the relative government waterways authority to let us paddle through all thirty-four of the locks, making life infinitely easier. I have to squint my eyes, but then I see this wonderful thing taking a sunbath on top of the branch: A turtle! Reaching Mainz, where we were to leave the Rhine, we secured a home for Benji for the night with … I did not even know they exist! Yet again. The grandparents agree to look after the little one, a friend would walk the dog and we suddenly have an entire day to ourselves. The access has toilet, parking and excellent canoe and kayak launch facilities. While kayaking down Germany's rivers, a photographer started pulling plastic rubbish out of the water and taking pictures. Also, it is possible to book guided trips. That "only the two of us" concert visit seems like months ago. Exclusive deals. Others can be really dangerous with strong currents and lots of traffic. Looking for a kayak travel blog in Rhine River? The Rhine is one of Europe's busiest commercial rivers with strong currents and constant wash from the many ships travelling up and down stream. Google helped me later on to close that knowledge-gap: It was most likely a Europäische Sumpfschildkröte (European pond turtle). We can’t thank them enough for not only coming to our rescue and scooping us up from the side of the lock, but also for making our stay so enjoyable. It's too shallow for any motorized boats, giving paddlers a quiet solitude on the water. Answer 1 of 6: We are planning to visit the Rhine area in September. Certified specialists from America’s #1 agent network. The combined wash of the two vessels was comparable to some of the biggest waves we experienced on the open water of the Kent coast, nearly throwing us into the boulder-covered bank. After making our way around the second of the two locks on the Rhine, we rejoined the main river to discover an entirely different experience ahead of us: there were whirlpools, rapids and currents so powerful we were pitched from side-to-side across the water. We also see some serious kayakers who look like out of a "Winnetou" movie. Thus, we found ourselves pitching our tents by the dunes on the beach, trying not to focus too much on the speed and power with which the water was churning past. The Canyon: Folded Granite Walls, Towering Pillars of Sand, Evergreen Trees. Everyday life seems very far away here on the Thur. Kayaking, kayakingthecontinent, Fundraising, capsizing, FreshWater Watch, Continent, charity, Europe, Kayaking, citizenscience, earthwatch, pancreatic cancer, expedition, kayakingthecontinent, Europe, Fundraising, Continent, FreshWater Watch. Our final days on the Rhine were accompanied by brutal headwinds that threatened to rip our paddles from our hands. However, the rungs above us were covered with a dense netting of cobwebs, which was puzzling: if we were indeed going up, these cobwebs would not be there. In May, 2017 we sailed a Rhine River cruise from Basel, Switzerland, north to Amsterdam with Viking River Cruises. It transpired we had chosen the right moment to stop; the president of the yacht club, Wolfi, welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to sleep on the clubhouse terrace for a night, and on his own private yacht the following night while we waited out the bad weather and prepared ourselves to return to the Rhine. (Yes, we also lost the fin of our boat which helps to stay on track.). I am in awe for a very long moment, because I have never seen a wild turtle in Switzerland my entire life. So, depending on the time of the day, you might meet a lot of like-minded people paddling on the water. The access is at river mile 228.Two nights before there was a storm and heavy rain which added one foot to a normally high early May flow. Only a short moment later, we are gliding on the peaceful waters of the river past lush forests, stony beaches and lots of beautiful bird life. While he hauls the kayak to the car, I packed a lunch of homemade Indian chapati, yoghurt dip and lots of different vegetables, a bottle of tap-water and some candies. In reality, it felt only faintly faster than some of the waterways we had already paddled on. Ships and their waves will probably your biggest problem. The Rhine River Is an Unexpected — and Amazing — Cruise Destination. The river is hugged by the Taunus mountain range on its western bank with the Hunsrück mountains on the other side. Paddling up to the vast gate did not help our nerves, nor did the unwavering stare of the lock-keeper, who clearly had reservations about a kayak trespassing into his lock. The river widens here, and the combination of the wind and wash from barges created open water conditions, reminiscent of our tougher days on the sea. Taking a day away from the frenetic water paid off, as the following day Kate and I managed to pull off our longest day of paddling yet, covering 52km. Daddys Creek Go Fast Day 2020. The second longest river in Europe, The Danube was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire, and today flows through 10 nations. As a slight ripple spread across the surface of the water, the lock-keeper yelled down to me, instructing me to hold on as well. You know the Lorelei myth, don't you? Delaware River Tubing, Rafting, Canoeing, and Kayaking is located in Frenchtown, New Jersey. We decide that we want to feel young and adventurous again - just like back in those days when we fell in love with each other... My better half is off to the basement to clean our kayak from all the spider webs. You've come to the right place!. Deciding to make the most of the situation, I got a fire going using the dry wood scattered around us and we went for a quick dip in the river (in the shallows where there was no current). The British Canoe Union rightly describe it as "no place for a beginner in canoe touring". Fancy a bit of an adventure? Amsterdam is just the beginning. Canoeing the Rhine river Pascal Van Waveren ADVENTURE travels alone 750 kmin in 50 days from the Swiss border with my folding canoe down river in the Rhine river to the Netherlands. +41 78 949 03 53. The reason being that the train station at the top of the hill is closest to this river exit. Koblenz Oh Hello Koblenz! I am very excited and forget about the struggles we had just five minutes ago. The water level had literally gone up by two inches! It was by far the most dramatic and overly cautious build-up to a lock, for no apparent reason. We paddled the Thur and Rhine rivers along route 40. and we don’t care about all the stressful moments at home. Luckily, we were taken in for a few days by the incredibly generous Jack and Maria Fernanda, friends of a relative of Kate’s. Knowing that this was Europe’s busiest river (in terms of boat traffic) with a much stronger current than anything we had faced before, Kate and I were feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. March 24th, 2020 | by Matt Dumoulin. We pass by dense forests, green vineyards (there is a reason that this region is called „Zürcher Weinland“) and a handful of picturesque villages like Rüdlingen. The final section of the Jog, Kayaking the entire length of the River Danube, from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. The boat is also constantly losing air, so we have to stop every 15 minutes to inflate it. This is the perfect activity for you if you’re the type who likes to go out, relax and explore! Joining us on board is renowned author and speaker Salo Muller joining us as a special guest on the Rhine portion of our cruise. Always pack enough of your favorite food/drinks to keep you happy on the trip. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates. Move from river to river, through changing landscapes, using the famously efficient public transport system or take the car for the ultimate kayaking road trip. The other weekend, we felt the urge to spend some serious couple time. First of all, a head wind makes us sweat. You could get a hefty fine that will end that lovely feeling of freedom right away. Would like to spend some time in the small towns. The subsequent days saw us paddling distances of over 40km during the day. More than a little perturbed by all of this, we eventually resorted to crash-landing on a pebble beach. Koblenz (Rhineland Palatinate) is the largest town of the Upper Middle Rhine river and the ideal base to explore the best cities and castles of the Rhine valley. Even though you might not see them, they are still there. Well come on a relaxing rafting trip down the Rhine – where you’re sure to have a splashing good time. I consider it a "must do" for women who run in Switzerland, and a celebration of women’s racing... Near the French border, the Reka holiday camp in Montfaucon has the type of romance that's often missing in other parts of Switzerland. This is already part of the canton of Schaffhausen. Our attempts to stop to do our next FreshWater Watch test were futile; all we achieved was spinning around by 180 degrees. However, after being lulled into this false sense of security, Kate and I were swiftly brought back to reality. Our feeling of being entirely underwhelmed was very quickly flipped on its head as we made it to the junction with the Rhine. Now slightly terrified about what was coming, I grabbed onto a mooring post in an alcove of the lock wall, aware of the fact that shortly I would not be able to hold it, regardless of whether the water was going up or down. The World” is a canny series of photographs, 9 places in Switzerland to see in your lifetime, 21 Swiss foods you need to try in your lifetime, Here are 10 of the most annoying Swiss “problems”. Newly Swissed GmbH Winding slowly through Cranford, the Rahway River is a relaxing kayaking trip. This feeling of apprehension only increased as permission to enter the lock was granted on the condition that we had certain documentation (we did not) and that the lock “boss” came to supervise. this trip is filmed with a samsung s8 and a gopro black 5. Having said that, there are still many canoe and kayak clubs along the river and hundreds of people paddle on it each year, including us. The Rhine River looks like a scene from a fairytale as it flows through the unique landscape from Rüdesheim to Koblenz. Unfortunately, the next day did not go to plan either, despite steeling ourselves for the ferocious conditions. Giving birth in Switzerland – here’s all you need to know, Here’s Why the Swiss Women’s Run in Bern is a “Must”, Our family getaway to the Reka Holiday Village in Montfaucon, 11 family activities for sunny days in Zürich, 16 ways to travel the world without leaving Switzerland, This roundabout in Switzerland is a vinyl turntable, “Switzerland vs. March 19th, 2020 | by Matt Dumoulin. Eglisau at the edge of the canton of Zürich is our destination for today. After an enjoyable two days off in the beautiful city of Strasbourg, it was time for Kate and I to leave behind the safety and comfort of the French canals in order to join the Rhine. It was 9 a.m. on a recent Saturday in this city founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Suddenly, we feel the calm deep within ourselves (ooomm!) The last part of the kayaking trip is becoming a bit of an adventure. Countries: Netherlands, Germany. On this website, you will also find useful information on water levels, tour length, maps, transfers from Eglisau back to Andelfingen, etc. So, it must have looked funny how we bit our lips in despair and turned around like a feather in the water. Make sure you check the water-level right there - it should be at least knee-deep! (I have never seen that many herons before.) Right now we are looking at Bacharach, St. Goar, Braubach, and Bingen. On this website, you will also find useful information on water levels, tour length, maps, transfers from Eglisau back to Andelfingen, etc. Previous experience of wheel breakages had taught us that it would not be a straightforward process. Rhine River, river and waterway of western Europe, culturally and historically one of the great rivers of the continent and among the most important arteries of industrial transport in the world. Never believe a man who tells you that he carefully checked the kayak/rubber boat/air mattress for holes - you get my point. Dark grey storm clouds loitered overhead threateningly all morning, until we succumbed and stopped at a yacht club. Wheels finally replaced, we were able to continue with our expedition. With this being the day and age of Instagram, there are some teenagers floating on big inflatable flamingos and doughnuts, so our trip is quite entertaining! Along the middle Rhine River, great views from our Viking Rhine River cruise ship. ... canoeing, or running during shore excursions. The first few days have gone smoothly as we find ourselves camping next to yacht and rowing clubs who generously welcome us and allow us to use their showers (bliss as the temperature is currently soaring). Amazingly, this is our fifth river cruise, fourth with Viking, and we’re surprised, even ourselves, at how much we enjoy these experiences. The Passaic River winds throughout North Jersey from Newark to the Passaic River Park and is over 80 miles long. How would you rate them ? Once back on land, you will also find toilets, a fountain with refreshing drinking water, a basic changing room and a recycling station. On its journey north, it meanders through narrow valleys and rugged rock formations, passing legendary palaces and castles on its way. I’m sure we would have coped better had we been prepared for this drastic change, but in that moment we were terrified of getting back on the water. Canoeing the Rhine river. Explore the impressive, untamed Ruinaulta by rubber raft from Ilanz to Reichenau. It flows from two small headways in the Alps of east-central Switzerland north and west to the North Sea, into which it drains through the Netherlands. The Rhine Falls (German: Rheinfall, pronounced [ˈʁaɪ̯nˌfal] (), singular) is a waterfall located in Switzerland and the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The fireworks were spectacular and a fantastic way to commemorate reaching the end of our 200km on the Rhine. Fingers crossed this good fortune continues! A white swan watched as we pumped up our inflatable canoe beside the Mosel River. Others can be really dangerous with strong currents and lots of traffic. There are plenty of small, secluded spots on the riverbank where you can stop to enjoy your lunch or go for a swim in the clean and cold water of the Rhine river. Reviews for 73 Travel Experts on River Cruises in New Jersey. We serve to NJ, PA, and NY areas and more. 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