The Rursee is the largest lake in the Eifel and, by storage volume, even the second-largest reservoir in Germany. No wonder so many people want to canoe here. Our home waters lie directly below the Schwammenauel dam; on the Rursee itself we do not offer any tours. That is exactly why you get the honest assessment here: what is possible on the Rursee, what is not, and when our waters are the better choice for you.

The short answer

Yes, you may canoe on the Rursee, but only on the main lake, only during the season from 1 April to 14 November, and only with a boat permit sticker from the Eifel-Rur water board on your boat. If you do not have your own boat, you can rent one from the providers at the lake. Guided canoe tours with a guide, a briefing and no paperwork are available right next door with us: on the calm Heimbach reservoir and, from mid-July, on the Rur through Eifel National Park.

Boat permit and rules on the main lake

There is no general public right of use on reservoirs; the Eifel-Rur water board (WVER) regulates usage through its recreation rules (current version from late 2025). For canoes, kayaks, inflatables and SUPs you need the type 1 boat permit: a week costs 7 euros, a month 15 euros, the whole season 30 euros. The permit is not available online, only at issuing points around the lake, including the national park gates in Rurberg and Heimbach, the kiosk in Rurberg and the lakeside campsite. Anyone caught without a valid permit pays 150 euros.

A few more rules are worth knowing: the buoy-marked nature protection zones are off limits, you may only land at bathing spots and approved jetties, you keep 50 metres away from the dam, and the boat stays ashore at night. In winter (15 November to 31 March) the lake is largely closed; there is only a small quota of winter permits for muscle-powered boats, and SUPs are excluded entirely. Check the current rules with the water board before your trip, they are updated regularly. For an overview of the whole region’s rules, see our guide Where can you go canoeing?

Obersee and Urftsee: this is where it ends

Many people do not realise that the Rursee consists of several basins, and paddling is only allowed on the main lake. The Obersee between Rurberg and Einruhr is a drinking water pre-basin where private water sports are prohibited; the only exception is the pedal and rowing boat rental at the natural lido in Einruhr. The Urftsee lies entirely within Eifel National Park and is completely closed to paddling; you can only experience it on foot or by bike along the shore path, or from the excursion boat. Taking your own canoe or SUP onto either basin is not a grey area, it can get seriously expensive.

Renting a canoe on the Rursee: the local providers

Without your own boat you are in good hands with the local rental providers, and we are happy to name them: in the Woffelsbach bay, NaBeDi rents out canoes, kayaks, SUPs and pedal boats (booking online in advance is worth it). In Rurberg, the bike and canoe rental hands out four-seater canoes at fixed times, best reserved by phone. Directly at the Schwammenauel boat landing, RurseeZeit rents electric, rowing and pedal boats as well as canoes, and Woffelsbach is home to SUPsafety, one of the oldest SUP schools in Germany. If you would rather not paddle at all, hop on an excursion boat of the Rursee shipping line. In short: the self-organised loop on the big lake is well catered for locally, you do not need us for that.

Rursee, Heimbach reservoir or the Rur: which suits you?

Directly below the Schwammenauel dam our home waters begin: the Heimbach reservoir collects the water of the Rur and the Urft that flows through the art nouveau power station, making it the little brother of the Rursee, just a few minutes away by car. The difference is the experience: on the Rursee you organise everything yourself, from the permit to the equipment. With us you join a guided tour: boat, paddle, life jacket, briefing and all permits are included, you need no sticker and no issuing point. The reservoir is calm water without current, ideal for families from the age of 7, in a stable four-seater canoe (adults 28 euros, children 24 euros), and possible all year round. From mid-July, the guided river tour on the Rur is added: start 11:15, around 4.5 hours from Heimbach to Zerkall, from the age of 9. By the way, we only rent kayaks to experienced paddlers who know the area and have done the Rur stretch with us; everything about that is on our rental page.

Frequently asked questions about canoeing on the Rursee

Do you need a permit for the Rursee?

Yes. For canoes, kayaks, inflatables and SUPs, the type 1 boat permit of the Eifel-Rur water board is mandatory: 7 euros per week, 15 euros per month, 30 euros for the season. It is only available at issuing points at the lake, not online. Without a permit, a 150 euro fee is due.

Can you rent a canoe at the Rursee?

Yes, for example from NaBeDi in Woffelsbach (canoes, kayaks, SUPs), from the bike and canoe rental in Rurberg or from RurseeZeit at the Schwammenauel landing. Reserve in advance during the season.

Are SUPs allowed on the Rursee?

On the main lake yes, with a type 1 boat permit and only during the season; in winter SUPs are excluded. On the Obersee and Urftsee: no private water sports. And good to know: SUPs are not permitted on the Heimbach reservoir, nor on the Rur.

Are the Rursee and the Heimbach reservoir the same lake?

No, even though the two are often mentioned in the same breath. The Rursee is the large reservoir above the Schwammenauel dam. The Heimbach reservoir lies directly below it and is a separate, much smaller lake, where we run our guided family tours.

Prefer paddling without the paperwork?

The Rursee is a fine spot for everyone who enjoys organising things themselves. If you would rather just get in and paddle, we take care of the rest: pick a date and book your loop on the Heimbach reservoir or the guided canoe tour on the Rur directly on our booking page. Boat, equipment, briefing and permits are included, you just bring the appetite for the water.

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