The Schwaanhavel

The untouched nature on the approximately 3.5-kilometre-long small tributary of the Havel near Wesenberg attracts adventurous paddlers to the picturesque "Schwaanhavel". In its natural course, the little river meanders through alder forests and meadows from the Havel Chamber Canal to Lake Plätlin. Fantastic natural spectacles can be observed here, and with a bit of luck you may come across kingfishers, ospreys or otters. The Schwaanhavel is a popular canoeing water and is closed to motorboats. We recommend Wustrow as the starting point for the tour. (Boat and equipment hire at Kanuhof Wustrow; Dorfstraße 57a; telephone: 039828 20083; www.kanuhof-wustrow.de) From here, the route leads across the Plätlinsee into the Schwaanhavel until the exit into the "Obere Havel-Wasserstraße". Following this waterway northwards, you reach the Woblitzsee. There is a fishing farm on the left (Fischereihof Wesenberg; phone: 039832 20268; www.fischerei-wesenberg.de), where you can enjoy a tasty snack. A few meters further on is the Wesenberg water hiking rest area. The snack bar at the harbor offers delicious soups and fish sandwiches in addition to the usual dishes. From here, it is only a few steps to Wesenberg Castle with its tourist information center, a museum with a photo exhibition, a fishing exhibition and the fishing tower with viewing platform. Below the castle, it is worth visiting the Villa Pusteblume, where you can marvel at a museum of tin toys and mechanical musical instruments. Not far away is the historic market square and the Gothic St. Mary's Church with its Röder organ and the legendary devil's necklace. From here, you can either take a shuttle (via the boat hire company or by calling Taxi- und Kanustransport Hänsch on 0171 / 5459485) back to the starting point or take the same route in the opposite direction. The tour can also be done in the opposite direction from the Wesenberg canoe mill. (Boat and equipment rental; Havelmühle 1; phone: 039832 20350;