Canoe tour on the Peene

Adventure in untouched nature

Author: Konrad Bender
Published: January 2, 2025

Two people paddle in a canoe on the Peene, surrounded by lush nature and sun-drenched water.
©© TMV/Gross

Author: Konrad Bender
Published: January 2, 2025

When the longing for wild and pristine nature becomes strong, we have the perfect tip for true outdoor enthusiasts. Off to the Peene in Western Pomerania. Our recommendation: a day in a canoe on the pristine river.

The autumn sun shines on the gently flowing Peene. A light wind ensures that the water on the surface even runs inland. In the distance, the trumpeting of thousands of cranes can be heard as they gather in the Peene Valley and prepare for their flight to the south, where they spend the winter. But something else can be heard: the gentle, steady splash of paddles dipping in and out of the water. A canoe moves through the river, quietly, but visible to good eyes and audible to better ears. Suddenly, everything stops: a sea eagle spreads its mighty wings, pushes off from a tree trunk that has fallen into the water into the air and flies away.

Aerial view of a canoe with two people on the Peene, flanked by a green river landscape.
©© TMV/Gross

Paddling a canoe

A carefree adventure

What sounds like a safari tour in the distant future can be easily experienced in the Lower Peene Valley. Unforgettable encounters with animal species that are rare elsewhere are virtually guaranteed. Whether heron, white-tailed eagle, beaver, kingfisher or pug bat: countless animals use the river and its banks as a habitat and safe breeding ground. No wonder, after all, the Peene is one of the last undeveloped rivers in Germany and thus offers wildlife conditions that can hardly be found anywhere else. This is one of the reasons why the river landscape was declared a nature park in 2011 and thus placed under strict protection.

The best way to experience this unique natural area is directly from the water, namely by canoe. Along the Peene, there are a whole handful of rental providers at water hiking rest areas where you can hire the various boats. After a short briefing and equipping with life jackets, you are ready to set off. No special license is required for canoeing; anyone can and may use the boats on the Peene. You either go up and down the river and back to the landing stage or, with some providers, you are collected at an agreed location with your car and trailer. It couldn't be simpler.

Stopover in Stolpe

A linchpin in the Lower Peene Valley is the small village of Stolpe an der Peene – a place to take a break that leaves nothing to be desired. Here, right on the banks of the river, the Stolper Fährkrug – a 350-year-old historic inn – provides hungry and thirsty paddlers with hearty specialties that give them strength for the rest of the route. And those who are particularly happy here can either rest close to nature at the local water hiking rest area with a campsite, sanitary facilities, the harbour master's snack bar and its own jetty, or in the beautifully renovated Relais & Châteaux Gutshaus Stolpe.

One stop in Stolpe is an absolute must for every traveler on the Peene: the visitor center of the Peene Valley River Landscape Nature Park. The typical regional thatched cottage houses a compact exhibition on the unique biosphere in and around the Peene. Not only can visitors find out about the flora and fauna for themselves, they can also listen to audio examples of birdsong at interactive stations or learn about the river's peculiarities during a cinematic canoe trip. A digital map table also provides an insight into the various stages of the Peene's development and clearly shows where the river has been renaturalized in recent decades and where it was never obstructed in the first place. And best of all: admission is free. Around 45 minutes should be planned for the visit.

A couple enjoy a refreshment and a snack in the outdoor area of the Stolper Fährkrug with a view of the Peene.
©© TMV/Gross
A couple walks through a green area towards the Stolper Fährkrug, with a sign in the foreground.
©© TMV/Gross
A couple explores interactive exhibition elements in the Peene Valley River Landscape Nature Park Adventure Center.
©© TMV/Gross
A couple walks at dusk to the historic Viking graves near Menzlin, surrounded by trees and warm light.
©© TMV/Gross

A visit to the Vikings

Whoever sets off on the Peene by canoe not only experiences one of the most breathtaking natural beauties in Germany, but also follows in a long seafaring tradition. Even the Vikings used the river as a waterway in their characteristic longships. An early medieval highway, so to speak. There is not much left of the wooden boats today, but the Norsemen have left behind some indelible traces. You just have to know what you're looking for.

The »wild« Vikings did not come to Western Pomerania to plunder and plunder. At least not here. Just outside Menzlin, in the immediate vicinity of the River Peene, the "Old Camp" landmark bears witness to this. During archaeological excavations, traces of settlement were found here, which indicate that there was diligent trading here. Even more impressive, however, are the eight tombs, which are made invisible by stones set in the shape of ships. Here you can almost feel the presence of the ancient seafarers, even though their time was more than 1,000 years ago. History you can touch.

A couple walks through golden grass and trees near Menzlin as the setting sun illuminates the landscape.
©© TMV/Gross
Aerial view of the Peene at sunset, embedded in fields and forests, with an orange sky in the background.
©© TMV/Gross

Sauna and souvenirs

Of course, the stones are not suitable as a souvenir. Too heavy and too culturally significant. A detour to the Liepen estate is more worthwhile. Of course, it also has its own jetty. Today, there is plenty going on on the extensive grounds of the former farm: a hotel with its own wellness area (perhaps a short break after all that paddling?), a first-class restaurant with its own herb garden and even a barn converted into an event hall. All in typical local brick and quarry stone.

The premises also include an excellently stocked farm store with all kinds of local and regional specialties: delicious jams, fine elderberry wine, handmade soaps or nourishing wellness products, all with a regional focus. The range also changes according to the season, so a return visit is doubly worthwhile. The wide range of heartfelt products are perfect for taking a piece of the Peene Valley home with you. As a small reminder of a great natural landscape that only exists once in Germany.

A couple looks at products in the farm store at Liepen Estate, surrounded by shelves of regional specialties.
©© TMV/Gross

&By the way: Anklam on the Peene estuary off the island of Usedom is a suitable starting or finishing point and is easy to reach by car or public transport. Canoes can also be hired and returned in the small Hanseatic town, and there are many excellent restaurants in the old town. After all, paddling makes you hungry. And if you still haven't had enough, you can learn all about the history of the town on the Peene River at the museum in the Steintor or round off your canoeing adventure with a Peene Bräu at the harbor.

Excursion destinations on the Peene

To the map
  • © Tobias Oertel, Spantekow
    ©© Tobias Oertel, Spantekow

    Water hiking rest and camping site Peene-Hafen-Stolpe

    • Peeneblick, 17391 Stolpe

    Water hiking rest and camping area for canoeists and 26 berths for houseboats and pleasure craft. A slipway is available, as is a sanitary building with showers and a washroom. A snack bar with a sun terrace and harbor view offers food, ice cream and drinks every day.

    Read more: "Water hiking rest and camping site Peene-Hafen-Stolpe"
  • The comfortable houseboats from Abenteuer Flusslandschaft, which are equipped with solar panels, bow thrusters and heating, offer the finest in vacation enjoyment., © Abenteuer Flusslandschaft
    ©© Abenteuer Flusslandschaft

    Adventure River Landscape

    • Werftstraße, 17389 Anklam

    Are you looking for adventure tours and nature trips in the river valleys of Western Pomerania? Then you are exactly right with us. With years of experience we offer, among other things, solar boat tours, chartering of holiday floats and canoe trips on the Amazon of the North. There is something for everyone.

    Read more: "Adventure River Landscape"
  • Tranquility oasis with a view to the park, © Gutshaus Stolpe
    ©© Gutshaus Stolpe

    Stolpe Manor House

    • Peenestraße, 17391 Stolpe an der Peene

    The renovated Stolpe Manor House, surrounded by a park with old trees, is located in the middle of a monument-protected, extensive complex from the last century. The house, a member of Relais & Châteaux, is towering above the rugged river in the middle of the Peene Valley National Park.

    Read more: "Stolpe Manor House"
  • © TMV/Gohlke
    ©© TMV/Gohlke

    Waterway berth and rest area Menzlin

    • 17390 Menzlin

    Waterway berth and rest area at the Peene, canoe and rafting rental Menzlin is adjacent

    Read more: "Waterway berth and rest area Menzlin"
  • The backyard view of the Liepen manor house, © Liepen manor houese, Stefan Wollert
    ©© Liepen manor houese, Stefan Wollert

    Gutshof Liepen - Hotel & Restaurant Am Peenetal

    • Dorfstraße, 17391 Liepen

    Relaxing in the Peenetal - Located in the middle of the homes of beavers, otters and cranes and co, the manor Complex warmly welcomes you. The pastorally situated hotel & restaurant “Am Peenetal” spoils you with a large Bathing and Wellness area, comfortable double rooms and single rooms and a lot of leisure activities and excursion tips.

    Read more: "Gutshof Liepen - Hotel & Restaurant Am Peenetal"
  • © Holger Martens
    ©© Holger Martens

    Bike and passenger ferry in Stolpe an der Peene

    • Peenstraße, 19391 Stolpe

    In Stolpe on the Peene River, the only connection between the Hanseatic city of Anklam and Jarmen is a small bicycle and passenger ferry from Stolpe to the opposite side, to the Stolpmühl pier.

    Read more: "Bike and passenger ferry in Stolpe an der Peene"
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