The Alte Oder has its source a few kilometers north of Frankfurt (Oder) near Lebus, before it flows into the Oder near Hohensaaten. With the drainage of the Oderbruch under Frederick II, the Oder was partially diverted into a new riverbed and was separated from its original, extensive water network and completely dammed.
The Alte Oder flowed through a pristine floodplain landscape almost untouched by humans, which has been used for agriculture since it was drained.
Tips for Water Hikers
Of the numerous rivers and ditches in the Oderbruch, not all are suitable for canoeing. The Alte Oder is easy to navigate in conjunction with the Stille Oder and Mucker. Many wide curves make a trip on the Alte Oder particularly easy and varied.
Along the banks, old tree stands alternate with larger reed beds. Only very few small Oderbruch villages can be found near the river. The Alte Oder is particularly scenic and also very navigable between the Kietzer fish ponds north of Altfriedland and the confluence with the Oder-Havel waterway near Oderberg.
There is sometimes a slight current on the Alte Oder. Longer tours should be paddled in the direction of flow from south to north if possible. For shorter distances, however, you can usually paddle against the flow without any problems.
There are no locks and only one weir in Neutornow, which may have to be carried around depending on the water level.
water sports facilities
The Alte Oder is exclusively a canoeing area with no motorboat traffic. The area offers various options for day trips, but also multi-day trips. For the route from the starting point Kietzer Teiche to the confluence with the Oder-Havel waterway, you should calculate around two days, especially if you include the attractive detour via Stille Oder and Mucker to Neuranft. Canoe rental companies are located in Oderberg, Wriezen, Gorgast and on the Oder in Letschin, district of Kienitz.
The infrastructure has been expanded in recent years. There are several rest and bivouac areas, including in Neufeld, two more before Wriezen, a bivouac area in Wriezen itself at the canoe station with the possibility of camping, a rest area in Neugaul, up to the Stille junction Oder two more rest areas and a rest and bivouac area in Neuranft.
Highlights for the shore leave
- Oderbruch Museum in Altranft Castle
- Film Museum "Children of Golzow" in Golzow
- Fort Gorgast of the Küstrin Fortress
- Fontanehaus Schiffmühle in Bad Freienwalde
Facts about the (fishing) waters
- Depth: up to 2 m
- Fish species: eel, catfish, roach, lead, carp and others
- Tenant/operator: Fischereihof Schneider at the Küstrin Fortress/Fischereihof at the Küstrin Fortress, Kuhbrücke 23, 15328 Küstriner Vorland.
- Fishing licenses are sold by the tenant.
