Hi fellow kayakkers, For next summer I am planning to paddle a couple of days in the surroundings of the island Ruegen, part of Germany in the Eastsea. Any German friends who can tell me anything about places to camp, penalties on free camping, places that I should or should not go, any special regulations? I can read German, although I don't speak it, so any reference to German web sites is welcome. Thanks, Niels. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Niels wrote: > For next summer I am planning to paddle a couple of days in the > surroundings of the island Ruegen, part of Germany in the Eastsea. Great idea! > places to camp, penalties on free camping, The kayakers I know prefer to do "free camping" and this is still possible, although it might be a bit difficult in July and August due to the tourists on the beaches. I have no special recommendations for you, you'll see enough spots on a large scale map yourself. There are lots of "official campings" as well, so if you are in need of a shower you'll find one as well. They are crowded in the summer, though. In the "Bundesland" Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (administrative area to which Ruegen belongs to), paddlers are allowed to camp at the beach for one night if it's not in a protected area. Given that Ruegen has lots of protected areas, you'll need to chose careful where to camp. > places > that I should or should not go, any special regulations? In the National Parcs "Vorpommersche Boddenkueste" (parts of Hiddensee, the island east of Ruegen) and "Jasmund" (north of Sassnitz) you are not allowed to enter the "core zones" and to get too close to the beach. I don't know about the exact distance you need to keep to land, but there should be plenty of signs (given this is Germany :-)). You should definitively visit Hiddensee (a small island without cars, great nature and known for it's nudist beaches :-) - the nudist tradition here goes back to the 19th century), Moenchgut (a peninsula in the south east of Ruegen - very interesting landscape) and the island "Greifswalder Oie" in the south east of Ruegen. The city of Binz has some very interesting buildings dating back to early 20th century's "Sea bath architecture" (as well as Sellin, Baabe and Goehren). An ancient narrow track steam train rides from Bergen to Goehren (and back). Great if you want to get to the coast with your folding kayak. If the wind permits, I would pass Hiddensee on the outside (west of Hiddensee). The word "Bodden" (rumours say it comes from the local dialect saying bottom) usually indicates shallow waters which can become dry some time. This is the case between Hiddensee and Ruegen where you really should follow the ship tracks. Taking short cuts usually ends up towing your kayak over the shallow sea bottom. At Sassnitz (and some sm to the south, at Mukran), watch out for the big ferries leaving for Scandinavia and Lithuania. At the Bug (north west of Ruegen) there is a closed area which was a former military area. It is said to contain old ammunition etc. You should be okay staying at the beach, though. > I can read German, > although I don't speak it, so any reference to German web sites is > welcome. http://www.mariangunkel.de/hiddensee.html - a trip round Hiddensee in summer http://ww.spierentonne.de - lot's of info and photos of paddling at Ruegen and surrounding areas http://www.amassalik.de/ruegen/home.shtml - a PDF file of an ancient paddle guide to Ruegen (from the 1930's) http://www.mariangunkel.de/darss.html - a trip in late autumn at the Darss, a peninsula at the west of Ruegen. This should get you started. Since that Hiddensee trip of mine, I have planned a circumnavigation of Ruegen but it never became true. Perhaps this winter or spring, perhaps next summer. Cheers, Marian Marian Gunkel, Berlin, Germany www.mariangunkel.de *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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