Kanalbrücke „Alte Fahrt“, Navigable aqueduct and stone arch bridge in Olfen, Germany
Kanalbrücke "Alte Fahrt" is a stone arch bridge that carries the Dortmund-Ems Canal across the Lippe River while allowing boats to travel beneath it. The structure features several arches made of sandstone and serves as a double-purpose crossing for both water and land routes.
The bridge was built in 1895 to connect the growing water transport networks needed during the Industrial era. It solved a specific engineering challenge: how to safely carry a canal across an existing river.
The name "Alte Fahrt" refers to a former waterway that once ran through this location, and it reflects how the bridge connects two different water systems. Visitors walking or cycling nearby can observe how this structure bridges both the landscape and human needs for transport.
The site is easiest to reach on foot or by bicycle, with paths and cycleways running along the canal system. Be aware that ground near the water can become slippery in wet conditions.
Hidden beneath the bridge is a historic pumping system that moved water from the river into the canal to maintain water levels. This system had to compensate for water lost to evaporation and canal lock operations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
