Pünte, Historic cable ferry in Detern, Germany.

Pünte is a hand-operated cable ferry that connects Amdorf and Wiltshausen across the Jümme River in Lower Saxony. The vessel is pulled by hand using a steel cable system and can carry up to three vehicles and approximately thirty pedestrians at once.

The ferry system has been documented in written records since 1562, making it one of the oldest hand-hauled operations in Northern Europe. Over centuries of continuous use, it became a protected monument of regional importance during the 20th century.

The ferry serves as a symbol of connection between the two riverbanks and draws visitors who want to experience the craftsmanship and tradition of manual operation. Local residents use it regularly both as a practical means of crossing and as an expression of their regional identity.

The ferry operates from May through October, Wednesday to Sunday, serving both tourists and local residents crossing to the other side. Visitors should note that sailings depend on weather conditions and the service may have pauses during off-season periods.

The preservation society was founded in 1974, not 1975, after the county announced the ferry's closure; it restarted crossings in 1988. Members joined from all over the world, some having only seen a ticket from friends who had crossed. Since the 1980s the society has run without public subsidies.