Among the many regulated rivers in NRW, the Niers on the Lower Rhine is an exception: it is actually free to paddle, with no registration. That sounds like the simplest thing in the world, and to some extent it is. Still, an honest look at what free to paddle means in practice pays off. We paddle the Rur in the Eifel and put the Niers in fair perspective here.
The short answer
Yes, you may paddle the Niers freely: muscle or wind powered, without a permit, at your own risk. The flip side of that freedom is that you really do organise everything yourself, from the boat to the return transport to carrying around the weirs.
What the Niers is like
The Niers is a calm, gentle lowland river on the Lower Rhine that flows into the Netherlands. A few things are worth knowing (as of the 2026 season, check before your trip):
- Free, but at your own risk: no registration, no guide, no briefing. You are responsible yourself.
- Weirs and locks: at several points you have to carry the boat around.
- Respect nature: avoid touching the bottom and keep out of protected zones. Watch for temporarily closed restoration sections, which change from year to year.
Canoeing around Mönchengladbach
Many Niers questions start in Mönchengladbach, after all the river flows right through the city. Paddling, however, almost always happens further downstream: the classic stretches begin at Viersen-Süchteln, Oedt and Grefrath towards Wachtendonk, which is also where the region’s established rental providers are based (for example Hammans Freizeit in Süchteln or the boat rentals in Wachtendonk). Be prepared for closures too: in summer 2026, the popular stage between Wachtendonk and Geldern-Pont was closed for months for a river restoration project, a win for nature but a risk for your planning. If you would rather have a guided river tour without the planning stress from Mönchengladbach: it is around 80 kilometres to us in Heimbach in the Eifel, a good hour by car.
Free also means: everything yourself
Anyone with their own boat who knows the route and enjoys being independent can spend lovely calm hours on the Niers. But anyone who simply wants a carefree day of paddling, without worrying about the boat, the shuttle, carrying around and the level, soon notices that free to paddle does not mean convenient.
The convenient alternative: the guided Rur tour
With us on the Rur in Eifel National Park you get the all-round carefree package: we provide the boat, paddle and life jacket, give you a briefing beforehand and guide you from Heimbach to Zerkall through one of the most beautiful river landscapes in the region. Start 11:15, lasting around 4.5 hours, with no prior knowledge needed. Prefer calm water? The Heimbach reservoir is ideal for families from the age of 7, while the guided Rur tour is possible from the age of 9. For which other waters are suitable, see our overview Where can you go canoeing?
Frequently asked questions about the Niers
Is the Niers free to paddle?
Yes. The Niers may be paddled muscle or wind powered without registration, at your own risk. You carry around weirs and keep out of protected zones.
Do I need a permit for the Niers?
No, a permit is not required. But you organise everything yourself: boat, return transport, carrying around. Watch for temporarily closed restoration sections.
Which is easier, the Niers or a guided tour?
The Niers is free, but you handle everything yourself. On the guided Rur tour the boat, equipment and briefing are provided, which is much more relaxed for beginners and families.
Prefer to just paddle, without the planning?
Then let us take care of the effort. Pick a date and book your guided canoe tour on the Rur or the Heimbach reservoir on our booking page. The boat and equipment come from us.
Worth a read
Tips and trip ideas for your canoe day out
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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