“Can you actually canoe on the Erft?” This question comes up every spring, and the honest answer is: yes, but only under clear conditions. The Erft is a pretty, gentle river, but anyone who wants to paddle there has to deal with registration deadlines, a boat quota and protected areas. We have spent years on the waters of the Eifel, and here we explain what is allowed on the Erft, where it is not, and why a guided tour on the Rur is the far more relaxed choice for many people.
Can you canoe on the Erft?
In principle, yes. The middle and lower stretches of the Erft can be paddled, but with conditions that protect nature. The key point is the registration requirement during the summer season.
- Registration required from 1 April to 31 August: During this period you have to register a few days in advance with Kanuklub Bergheim/Erft for the protected section. The club manages the paddling quota on behalf of the lower nature conservation authority. This applies to everyone, club members and private recreational paddlers alike.
- Protected section Bergheim to Bedburg: The stretch from the Bergheim-Zieverich weir to the Bedburg-Broich weir is classified as worthy of protection in the landscape plan. This is exactly where the summer quota applies.
- Backwaters and side arms are off limits: Paddling on all old arms, side arms and mill arms is generally prohibited, all year round.
- Life-threatening weirs: Several weirs must not be run. You have to portage at the signposted points and follow the notices.
Outside the season, that is until the end of March, no registration is needed for this stretch. Important: regulations like these change every year, so check the current status before every trip. Reliable sources are the Kanuklub Bergheim/Erft, the Canoe Federation NRW and the navigation database of the German Canoe Federation.
Where you can paddle the Erft, and where you cannot
The classic touring stretch of the Erft is not in the Eifel but in the lowlands between Cologne and the Lower Rhine. The Erft does rise in the Eifel near Nettersheim, but the genuinely paddleable part only begins further north.
Where it works: The most popular route runs from Bergheim, usually from the Zieverich mill, to Grevenbroich, around 18 kilometres and about four hours on the water. The river is mostly calm, but it has brisk current in places, overhanging trees in the upper part and several weirs you have to portage around. It is doable, but it suits experienced paddlers with their own equipment and their own way of getting back to the start.
Where it does not: The old arms, side arms and mill arms are completely closed. In the protected section between Bergheim and Bedburg you may only paddle from April to August with prior registration. And the weirs are not a playground, you portage around them, you do not run them.
The bottom line: an Erft trip takes planning, a registration in high season, your own boats, your own transport back and some experience at the weirs. It is not spontaneous or beginner-friendly.
The easier alternative: the guided Rur tour
If you want to experience nature from the water without worrying about registration, quota, boat and getting back, you are in the right place with us in Heimbach. The Rur flows right through Eifel National Park, and we are the only canoe operator inside the park.
- Guided Rur tour: Start at 11:15, lasting around 4.5 hours, from Heimbach to Zerkall. Your guide takes care of safety, route and the nicest stops. Life jacket and briefing are included. We do not run a shuttle, the Rurtalbahn (the local valley railway) solves it neatly: you park in Zerkall, take the train up to Heimbach beforehand and paddle back to your car. You will find everything on the page about the guided canoe tour on the Rur.
- Heimbach reservoir: Prefer mirror-calm water with no current at all? The quiet reservoir is ideal for families and beginners, from the age of 7, and open earlier in the season than the Rur. More on the page about the canoe tour on the Heimbach reservoir.
- Canoe rental for those who know the river: We only rent boats for the Rur to experienced paddlers who know the route because they have already done the guided Rur tour with us. We do not rent to first-time paddlers, that is what the guided tour is for. So for your first day on the Rur the guided tour is the way to go, and after that the canoe rental is open to you.
The honest difference: the Rur also has a paddling quota and an online registration. On a guided tour, though, we take all that paperwork off your hands completely. You need neither your own boats nor any transport planning of your own, and no prior experience is required. You simply get in, we take care of the rest. You can see exactly how the day works on our booking page.
Frequently asked questions about canoeing on the Erft
Do I have to register to paddle on the Erft?
From 1 April to 31 August, yes. For the protected section between Bergheim and Bedburg you have to register a few days in advance with Kanuklub Bergheim/Erft. Outside this period no registration is needed for this stretch. Check the current rules before every trip anyway, as they can change every year.
Can beginners canoe on the Erft?
Only to a limited extent. The touring route has several weirs that have to be portaged and brisk current in places. For a relaxed, beginner-friendly start, a guided tour on the Rur or the calm Heimbach reservoir is the better choice.
Does Kanu Petry offer tours on the Erft?
No. Our home waters are the Rur and the Heimbach reservoir in the heart of Eifel National Park. There we handle registration, boats and equipment, and getting there is easy with the Rurtalbahn, so you can focus purely on paddling.
Where does the Erft rise and where does it flow?
The Erft rises in the Eifel near Nettersheim and, after about 100 kilometres, joins the Rhine near Neuss. Its popular touring stretch, however, lies in the lowlands between Bergheim and Grevenbroich, not in the Eifel.
Prefer predictable paddling? Come to the Rur
The Erft has its charm, but it requires registration, your own equipment and experience at the weirs. If you would rather experience the Eifel from the water in a relaxed way and without any organising, book a guided canoe tour on the Rur or paddle on the calm Heimbach reservoir. We take care of registration and boat, the Rurtalbahn handles the transfer, you simply enjoy the day on the water.
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The popular guided day tour from Heimbach through Eifel National Park. Places are limited, so book online in good time.
View the Rur tour