To die for"described the young Goethe his view of the Lahn valley, nestled between the Taunus and Westerwald mountains, from a rocky outcrop during a hike in 1772. While Germany's great poet was coming to terms with his pain over an unattainable love, we looked at the Lahn through the eyes of the "wandering" sports boat skipper.
The seventh longest tributary of the Rhine rises in the Rothaargebirge mountains and flows through the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate before flowing 242 kilometres into the Rhine at Lahnstein. As the river has beenexclusively for leisure shipping It stands in pleasant contrast to the busy Rhine. Flanked by castles, mountain forests and hiking trails, the Lahn Valley has long been a favourite destination for illustrious guests such as European monarchs and artists.
Nevertheless, the Lahn is todayA relaxed boating area with comparatively little tourismThis is also due to the fact that many touring skippers are still unsure about the navigability of the Lahn due to the lock closure in Diez in 2014 and 2015.However, everything has been running smoothly again for two yearsand nothing stands in the way of a relaxing trip on the approximately 70 km long navigable section from Lahnstein to Dehrn.
Lahnstein
Situated at the confluence of the Lahn and Rhine rivers, the historic town ofthe natural starting point for every trip upriver on the Lahn. The Romans built a watchtower here for nearby Koblenz in 369, andin the course of its chequered history the villages of Niederlahnstein and Oberlahnstein developed and were merged in 1969.
Lahneck Castle, built in the 13th century, towers above its roofs. Legend has it that it was a refuge for the last Knights Templar. After the guided tour of the castle, enjoy a knight's spit and cold drinks in the castle tavern with a view of the Rhine and Lahn valleys ( www.burg-lahneck.de ). If you would like to go on a more sporty excursion into nature, we recommend the ascent through the Ruppertsklamm gorge in dry weather. www.ruppertsklamm.de
Boathouse on the Lahn
Just 400 m above the mouth of the Lahn is the floating boathouse, whose "Haifischbar" with beer garden (opening times: from 1 May daily from 3 pm) is a popular meeting place for Lahnsteiner and guests. Shopping centre: 100 m, Lahneck Castle (13th century): 1.3 km. Service: 1.20 €/m + 1 €/person and day environmental contribution, slip 10 €, tel. 02621-26 05. www.bootshaus-auf-der-lahn.de
Marina lock house
The attractive marina with restaurant and beer garden is located on the site of the former "Hohenrhein" lock and is surrounded by greenery. The entrance to the aforementioned 2 km long Ruppertsklamm gorge is directly opposite on the other side of the road. Service: 1.20 €/m, electricity 0.50 €/kw, WC/shower, water on request. Tel. 0261-36012.
WSV Fachbach
The site has a sunbathing lawn with barbecue and wooden hut. There is a children's playground at the campsite next door. Shopping centre: 1 km. Service: 1 €/m, electricity 0.40 €/kw, water incl., WC/shower. Tel. 0177-612 22 92. www.wsv-fachbach.de
Bad Ems
The village of the same name was built in the 6th century on the site of the long-disappeared Roman fort of Ems.Thermal springs became one of the most famous spa resorts in Europe. Bad Ems reached its heyday in the 19th century and became the summer residence of many European aristocrats and artists, including Kaiser Wilhelm I, the composer Richard Wagner and the writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Today, the new Ems thermal spa delights its visitors - and is located just 900 metres from the marina ( http://www.emser-therme.de ). The promenade still boasts magnificent buildings, but the grand splendour is a thing of the past. Behind the casino, the Kurwaldbahn railway can be used,one of the steepest cable cars in the worldThe Bismarckhöhe can be climbed, where there is a beautiful view and the spa gardens to discover.
Bad Ems marina "Kutschers Marina"
The marina, which is protected from flooding and ice-free, impresses with its service and sociability. A shopping centre is 400 m away and the town centre can be reached in 15 minutes. 300 m further along the lock channel is the boat centre with crane, waste disposal and boat filling station. Service: up to 7 m € 8.50, from 7 m € 10, electricity € 0.50/Kw, shower € 1, water incl. Tel. 0171-124 64 11. http://www.boots-service-kutscher.de
MBC Bad Ems
Service: 8 €/night, electricity 2 €, water included.
Tel.: 0163 7931395. http://www.mbc-bad-ems.de
Dausenau
Free guest jetties along the promenade for 24 hours. No water/electricity, no service.
Nassau
The castle of the same name was built around 1100 and gave its name to the Nassau dynasty, which still rules the Netherlands and Luxembourg today. The current capital of the Bahamas was renamed from Charlestown to Nassau in 1689 in honour of William III of Orange-Nassau, regent of the Netherlands and also King of Great Britain from 1689 to 1702. The castle offers a beautiful view over Nassau and the nature park. The town hall, built at the beginning of the 17th century with its richly decorated corner pillars, is aA prime example of German half-timbered architecture. The outdoor adventure pool 300 metres upstream of the moored boats provides cooling and fun for children. Moorings: Moorings can be made free of charge behind the railway bridge at Freiherr-vom-Stein-Park using pegs. There are no services, but there are restaurants, cafés and shops in the immediate vicinity.
Marina Hollerich
Very quiet location in the middle of a nature reserve, no shopping facilities or restaurants. Service: 1 €/m, water 1 €, rubbish 1 €. Tel. 0170-642 44 80.
Obernhof
Although viticulture has a long tradition on the Lahn, Obernhof is the last remaining wine-growing village.The wine has become a real rarityas the majority is only available in local restaurants. Tip: theVineyard festival Every second Sunday in June (2018: 10 June). To the south, 1 km away, is Arnstein Monastery, which was converted from a castle into a monastery by the last Count of Arnstein, Ludwig III, who subsequently entered the monastery himself. The famous Goethe lookout point is 1.5 kilometres away, past vineyards and forest. Moorings: Jetties at winegrowers and restaurants (for refreshments) as well as two free jetties provided by the municipality. Water on request, power points in planning.
Laurenburg Boat Club
Registration by telephone is requested. Service: 5 €/night, electricity 0,50 €/Kw, water & shower only possible if club members are present. Tel. 0172-496 06 43. www.laurenburger-bootsclub.de
Moorings: There are quiet moorings in the upper water of the Scheidt lock (yellow bollards).
MYC Schaumburg
The MYC's well-equipped jetty facilities are located within sight of the ruins of the medieval hilltop castle of Balduinstein. Service: 1 €/m, electricity 1 €/ 1.25 kW (coin-operated), water incl., WLAN incl., shower 1 €, washing machine + tumble dryer 2.50 €, waste disposal 4 €. Tel. 0160-98 58 02. http://www.myc-schaumburg.de
Diez
is dominated by the Count's Castle, which lies on a rock of volcanic origin. The medieval building, whose origins date back to the 11th century, served as a prison from 1779 to 1928 and now houses a youth hostel and a history museum. Below it lies the small, picturesque old town centre with remains of the old town wall and one of the town gates. Two kilometres away to the north of the town is the magnificentOranienstein Baroque Palacewhich was misappropriated as a "National Political Education Centre" during the Third Reich and handed over to the German Armed Forces in 1962. The Nassau-Oranien Museum is also located on the grounds. http://www.museumdiez.de
Moorings: There is a guest jetty in a beautiful location directly below the historic old town of Diez. Service: €10/night, €4/day, electricity €1.50, water included. Tel.: 0160-887 55 21.
Limburg
Due to a wooden bridge from the 12th century and its successor, the stone "Alte Lahnbrücke" from the 14th century, which connected the cities of Cologne and Frankfurt as part of the "Via Publica", the city had a constant source of income through bridge tolls, but was also a centre of attraction for military conflicts due to its geostrategic location, as well as during the Thirty Years' War. Perched on a limestone cliff and visible from afar, theSt George's Cathedralfrom the late Romanesque period is the second important landmark of the town, but the old town centre also invites visitors with itsimpressive half-timbered architecture and many cafés and restaurants invite you to linger. At the foot of the cathedral, the Obermühle beer garden with its rippling historic watermill is pleasantly shady and cool on hot days. The beach club behind the bridge tower on the old lock island with a view of the weir is recommended for sun worshippers.
Nautic-Club-Mittellahn
Well-secured jetty from which you can easily reach the old town centre of Limburg by on-board bike or on foot. Road petrol station: 400 m. Service: up to 10 m 10 €/night, over 10 m 12 €/night, water included, electricity 0.50 €/kWh, Tel.: 0175-384 20 56. http://www.ncm-limburg.de
Lubentius harbour Dietkirchen
Small jetty directly under the St Lubentius Basilica perched on a limestone cliff. Tel. 0160-99 45 40 65.
Limburg boat club in Dehrn
The last jetty on the developed Lahn is in a quiet location and boasts a well-equipped club area including a barbecue area and covered terrace. Lidl supermarket with bakery: 100 m, petrol station: 250 m. Service: €1/m, flat rate for adults over 16 years €1.50/night, shower and electricity & water included, waste disposal system. Tel. 06431 976517. http://www.bcl-lahn.de
