Hanover and water sports are a perfect match. Whether sailing on the Maschsee, a tour on the SUP, surfing on the Leinewelle or canoeing in Hanover over the Ihme and Leine – the offer is diverse.
We went on a three-hour paddle tour through Hanover. To be honest, I was very surprised by the tour. In many places, I completely forgot that I was in the middle of the city.
Let’s go canoeing!
There are countless boat trailers on the street near the Olympic training center on the Maschsee. This is the starting point that some providers have chosen for their tours.
We had an appointment with “Leine-Erlebnis”, a provider that also rents out canoes, among other things.
My first question was: canoe or kayak? What are we actually going to do? What I learned was that a canoe is wider than a kayak and you can take more luggage with you. You use a paddle and sit on a small bench (professionals sometimes kneel during competitions). A look at the boat: it’s a canoe and in our case 3 people could always sit in one boat.
After a short briefing on land, we stowed our valuables in a waterproof garbage can, quickly applied some cream and then we were off.
Into the water
At first we started on wheels and not in the water. We had to push the canoe about 50 meters further to be able to put it into the water below the Leine weir. The Leine weir has been protecting the city center of Hanover from flooding since the 18th century and regulates the water level of the river.
I found the boat surprisingly heavy when we carefully put it in the water. Then we stowed our bags and … who was going to sit where? One thing was clear, whoever sits at the back has to steer. I don’t know if my fellow paddlers realized what they were causing with their decision to have me sit in the back…. I think we covered twice the distance because of my steering skills, said a friendly hello to trees at the edge and used the full width of the waterway. It was definitely fun!
Canoeing in Hanover
From the Leine weir, the route initially follows the current along the Schneller Graben. At a bend in the water, the Ihme flows in almost invisibly.
From now on, we paddled on the Ihme, which led us under several bridges and past a fantastically beautiful landscape. Every now and then you could spot a little “Hanover” through the densely overgrown trees, such as the modern building of the youth hostel, and if you look closely and are not busy “steering” the canoe like me, you might even see the floodlight masts of the soccer stadium. This section of the route is pure relaxation! You can hardly hear any noise from the city, if you’re lucky you might spot a few animals on and in the water and all you can really do is enjoy yourself.
After passing under a few bridges, the view on the left bank changed. Instead of green trees, the concrete block of the Ihme Center rises up on the edge of the bank.
The Ihmezentrum was conceived as a “city within the city”. Residents should be able to find everything they need for their daily lives on site. From doctors and supermarkets to kindergartens, even workplaces in offices were to be created. Construction began in 1972 and the result was a large, labyrinthine building that did not offer what was originally planned from the outset. The anonymity created by the size and complexity of the building attracted a residential clientele that had not been planned. Even various conversions, new investors and new plans could not change this. The Ihmezentrum fell into disrepair and today stands on the banks of the Ihme, looking rather unattractive. Opinions are still divided today: some would like to demolish the building, others love living there. The view from the water is impressive…
We paddled on, the banks became greener again and we recognized a fork in the river ahead of us. For us, this was the sign that we had now completed about half of the route. But it was also a sign that we would soon have to paddle against the current rather than with it. But first we had to take a break!
We moored on the right bank right where the Ihme flows into the Leine. This is where the Strandleben, a small beach bar, is located. During the week, it only opens at 3 pm (at weekends at 12 pm) and offers drinks and snacks to thirsty paddlers and, of course, visitors coming from the shore. Unfortunately, everything was still closed when we visited, but we had our snacks with us and enjoyed standing for a while and relaxing our muscles.
Against the current on the line
After the break, we continued on our way refreshed. We turned right into the Leine and paddled against the current. In contrast to the Ihme, the Leine is much narrower here. In some places, the branches hang far over the water. I really enjoyed the trip here.
After we had passed under the Königswörth bridge, the picture changed. There are houses to the right and left of the bank. Here you realize that you are paddling in the middle of the city after all.
After the bridge over which Brühlstraße crosses the Leine, it becomes a little greener again. We drove towards the Leine wave. When the facility is in operation, you can see surfers showing off their skills on the wave.
Just before the Leinewelle, you can’t just continue straight ahead. You have to go ashore at a small jetty. The canoe is then pulled out of the water with combined forces and placed on the small trolley lying in the boat. For the next few meters, you have to push rather than paddle.
It’s quite strange to cross one of the city’s main roads in a canoe. We found out afterwards that there is also a path below the crossing. But then we would have missed the astonished looks on the faces of car drivers when a boat crossed their lane.
At about the height of the Sielturm tower, there is a paved area that allowed us to put the boat back on the line. Now we were back through a dense green landscape that shielded us from the city to the right and left of the shore. It was wonderfully quiet again and almost meditative, and we were already slightly tired as we put our paddles evenly into the water.
After an official 8 kilometers and what felt like 100,000 paddle strokes, the Leine forked and we turned off towards the Leine weir. They were already waiting for us there, helped us lift the boat out of the water and put it back on the grass at the starting point.
Is it worth going canoeing in Hanover?
Paddling through Hanover was a completely new experience for me. I’ve only paddled in a canoe once before, on a large lake with a lot of headwind. The tour in Hanover was also strenuous, but also fun and varied. From the dense green shore to the concrete high-rise, from the quiet to the busy intersection, everything was there.
If you paddle calmly and also take a break, you will certainly need 3 hours for the tour. A wonderful break in the middle of the city!
Where can you get a canoe?
We rented the boats from Leine-Erlebnis Kanu- und Outdoortouristik. The operator offers guided tours, but also the option of going out alone in a rental boat.
The exact prices, offers and booking options can be found on the provider’s website.
Start and end point at the Leine weir
Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg,
30169 Hannover
We were paddling in Hanover during a press trip.
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