German Ferry Road, Ferienstraße in Schleswig-Holstein
German Ferry Road is a 250-kilometer scenic route running from Bremervörde to Kiel through Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. The route features over 50 water crossings including bridges, sluices, barrages, and ferries, among them rare transporter bridges and a hand-operated cable ferry.
The route was established in May 2004 to showcase the long history of water transport and infrastructure in northern Germany. The bridges, ferries, and sluices along the path represent different periods, demonstrating how communities have crossed rivers and canals across centuries.
The route reflects how water crossings have shaped daily life for communities along these rivers and canals for centuries. Today, visitors can observe fishing activities, local harbors, and working ferries that continue to connect neighborhoods across the water.
The flat landscape makes the route ideal for cycling or walking, with most crossings available free of charge and rest stops in small towns along the way. Plan your visit during warmer months when conditions are best, and allow flexibility for weather-related changes to ferry schedules.
Two transporter bridges in Rendsburg and Osten rank among the last of their kind still operating in Germany, offering a rare glimpse of early 20th-century engineering. These bridges lift their platform high above the water to allow ships to pass freely beneath without obstruction.
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