Donau – Elbe Expedition 2025

Epic Expedition video:

Map of the journey:

Logbook:

Day 17: 23.9.2025 – Tuesday – Sehnde (GER) – Haldensleben (GER) – 156 km, total 1974 km

Morning we started already by the light. We crossed 72. water lock on the expedition. We continue by the solo style cruise. Near Magdeburg in village of Seidlung during waiting for the chamber we find out there is no water on Elbe. Unfortunately no chance to safely continue. The expedition is preliminarly over on 1974 km.

Day 16: 22.9.2025 – Monday – Bramsche (GER) – Sehnde (GER) – 153 km, total 1719 km

We started at 4:30 in the morning. It was limited visibility not only due to the darkness, but also due to the mist. We suffer from cold until the sun rise. We warm up by excercising. Night cruise in thw mist was very demanding. We filled up manually the tank with 135 liters. We continued by solo cruising. One was driving the second was riding a bike. The was over by the sun set in Sehnde. Longest day – 16 hours cruise.

Day 15: 21.9.2025 – Sunday – Datteln (GER) – Bramsche (GER) – 126 km, total 1566 km

In the morning we entered the Dortmund – Ens canal on it’s 16th kilometer. Today we crossed 70. water lock on the journey. In Bevergern we entered Mittelland canal on it’s 0 kilometer. Speed limited again to 12 km/h. Overnighted tied to the shore of the Mittelland canal near Bramsche town, where we arrived just after the sun set.

Day 14: 20.9.2025 – Saturday – Köln (GER) – Datteln (GER) – 140 km, total 1442 km

After the first gliding section of 100 kilometers on river Rhein we entered the River Rhur. This river we followed only 4 km. Probably our lowest point of the expedition – 80 meters above the sea level. Next was 40 km in Rhein-Herne canal where the maximum speed was limited to 12 km/h. Today we made 5 water locks and overnighted in marina in Datteln on in the end of Rhein-Herne canal.

Day 14: 19.9.2025 – Friday – Neuwed (GER) – Köln (GER) – 85 km, total 1303 km

Fast continuation. Despite the start was as late as 16:00 we could do 85 kilometers in roughly 2 hours. Only sometimes we have to decrease the speed due to waves. In Köln marina we tank 297 liters of gasoline and refilling fresh water.

Day 12: 18.9.2025 – Thursday – Aschaffenburg (GER) – Neuwied (GER) – 200 km, total 1220 km

Until now the longest day. We covered 200 kilometers. 7x water lock experience. Until today we crossed 65 water locks. Till Dresden there is only 10 waterlocks more. Later we rode thru Frankfurt am Main and finally got intu the river Rhein. the wide and wild river Rhein made us glide angain so we could cover huge distance.

Day 11: 17.9.2025 – Wednesday- Stadtprozelten (GER) – Aschaffenburg (GER) – 70 km, total 1021 km

Next day on river Main. Crossing another 5 water locks. Slow progress due to long waiting time for locks. Another excercises of tanking 200 liters manually by canisters. Night in Aschaffenburg and replenishing of supplies for another few days.

Day 10: 16.9.2025 – Tuesday – Wernfeld (GER) – Stadtprozelten (GER) – 80 km, total 952 km

Next windy day with showers. Water locks crossing is starting to be endless. The staff of water locks are letting us wait for bigger ships. Once we waited 2,5 hours due to maintenance of the lock. The day turnet to night and we experienced night ride in a raing without lights. Never again!

Day 9: 15.9.2025 – Monday- Mainstockheim (GER) – Wernfeld (GER) – 87 km, total 874 km

Since morning we were experiencing stron gusts. Hard to land in water locks and mooring generally. The only petrol station on Main is closed on Mondays. In Wurzburg we tank the gasoline manually with only 10l canister. Nice to do 145 liters like this.

Day 8: 14.9.2025 – Sunday – Forchheim (GER) – Mainstockheim (GER) – 125 km, total 787 km

Since morning it was raining. After 28 kilometers we left the Donau-Main channel and entered the Main river so we cloud glide again. Some of the water locks are split into two parts for smaller boat. Night in Marina in Mainstockheim.

Day 7: 13.9.2025 – Saturday – Nürnberg (GER) – Forchheim (GER) – 37 km, total 662 km

Late start due to sightseeing. Only 3 water locks crossed. Is good to go in the channel with the big boat . The water locks are always ready for us.

Day 6: 12.9.2025 – Friday – Beilingries (GER) – Nürnberg (GER) – 65 km, total 624 km

Today we reached the highest point of the expedition. 455 meters above the sea level. From now we should go down in each water lock. Until now we crossed 20 water locks. In Bachhausen water lock there was a broken wall from the cargo ship so we had some delay. Lessons learned. Never tigh a rope to floating tier! Night in marina in Nürnberg.

Den 5: 11.9.2025 – Thursday – Unter Saal (GER) – Beilingries (GER) – 46 km, total 560 km

In the morning we had to replenish some groceries and supplies. Tank another 216 liters of gasoline. We entered the Donau-Main kanal where the speed limit of 13 km/h is enforced. 3x water lock.

Den 4: 10.9.2025 – Wednesday – Straubing (GER) – Unter Saal (GER) – 89 km, total 514 km

4x water lock and one manually driven for small boats – only 4m wide! Half of the day raining. Day when we sailed without plotter as Ludwig didn’t give us authority to use it. Mobile phone used as a map plotter. In the evening night in Unter Saal, where the Donau is splitting and we will continue to Donau-Main kanal.

Day 3: 9.9.2025 – Tuesday – Schlögen (A) – Straubing (GER) – 130 km, total 427 km

Tanking 216 liters of gasoline in marina Schlögen. Boarder crossing to germany. 2x waterlock. Water lock Kachlet full of aggressive breakers. Two cargo ships in the lock with us. Later gliding in the rain and limitd visibility. Manual wipers. Overnight on a ponton in Straubing with depth only 1 meter.

Day 2: 8.9.2025 – Monday – Krems (A) – Schlögen (A) – 176 km, total 298 km

Crossing thru the beautiful scenery and valley of Wachau. Later over Melk and Linz to well-known river bend Schlögen. 5x water lock, Mostly no wind and bright sky.

Day 1: 7.9.2025 – Sunday – Wienna (A) – Krems (A) – 112 km, total 112 km

Bright sky. Crossing three water locks. Our mentor Luty has left us. We are so tahnkful to him to teach us and give us the knowhow of Donau navigation. Tanking 150 liters of gasoline in Tulln. Night in a beautiful Marina in Krems on the edge of the Wachau wine area.