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Free ferry across the Kiel Canal near Oldenbüttel

📍 Sights

Oldenbüttel on the Kiel Canal: ferry, lock & sights

A small heath village with two waterways at once: the Kiel Canal passes the village and here the Gieselau Canal branches off towards the Eider. Add a free ferry, a quiet lock and a barrier-free fishing spot. Just minutes from our guesthouse.

Oldenbüttel is a small heath village with a maritime twist. Two waterways shape the place at once: the Kiel Canal passes the village, and it is right here that the small Gieselau Canal branches off, the only direct link between the big canal and the Eider. Add a free ferry, a quiet little lock and a wide sky over fields and meadows. From our guesthouse in Liesbüttel you are there in just a few minutes.

Proud village of Oldenbüttel

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inhabitants

And rumour has it that on some days more ships pass Oldenbüttel than the village has inhabitants. They are hard to count, though, for no sooner have you logged one freighter than the next slides into view.

Oldenbüttel at a glance

  • A small municipality with the hamlets of Oldenbüttel, Bokelhoop and Bokhorst
  • Around 255 inhabitants in the middle of quiet heathland
  • Lies right on the Kiel Canal, where the Gieselau Canal branches off to the Eider
  • District of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, central Holstein
  • A free canal ferry for cars, bikes and pedestrians
  • Ferry service around the clock, permitted load 45 tonnes
  • Only a few kilometres from Bornholt and Hanerau-Hademarschen

On the Kiel Canal

Free canal ferrythe highlight

At Oldenbüttel a free ferry crosses the Kiel Canal, for cars, bikes and pedestrians alike. The ferries being free goes back to a promise from imperial times, when the canal cut through the old roads in 1895. The ferry runs around the clock, with a permitted load of 45 tonnes.

Oldenbüttel passing placeShips

Roughly halfway along the canal lies a so-called passing place near Oldenbüttel, a wide stretch where the big ships can meet or wait for one another. A great spot to watch the vessels up close and at leisure.

Ship watchingCanal

Container ships, tankers and excursion boats, almost everything passes on the Kiel Canal. In Oldenbüttel it is wonderfully quiet, so you often have the big ships almost to yourself. More places on ship spotting on the Kiel Canal.

Cycling along the canalCycle path

The long cycle path along the Kiel Canal runs close to the village. Flat, quiet and always with a view of the water, ideal for a relaxed day on the bike across the heath. Route ideas on cycling routes through central Holstein.

The Gieselau Canal and its lock

Gieselau lockLock

A small lock on the Gieselau Canal balances the water level between the Kiel Canal and the Eider. Mostly leisure boats use it. Watching a boat being locked through is a calm, almost meditative affair, far from the bustle of the big locks at Brunsbüttel or Kiel.

Barrier-free fishing spotAngling

The Gieselau Canal has a barrier-free fishing spot, so people with limited mobility can also reach the water easily. To fish you need a valid fishing permit and the right licence.

Gieselau Canal towards the EiderWaterway

The Gieselau Canal is the only direct link between the Kiel Canal and the Eider. A narrow, quiet waterway that is lovely to follow on foot or by bike.

History and coat of arms

Oldenbüttel consists of the three hamlets of Oldenbüttel, Bokelhoop and Bokhorst. I am not aware of a securely documented first mention of the village, so I would rather honestly admit that its very early history is unclear. The coat of arms says all the more: two blue wavy bars stand for the two waterways, the Kiel Canal and the Gieselau Canal. A chain ferry recalls the long tradition of crossing the canal. Three small houses stand for the three hamlets that have grown together into one municipality.

Nature and quiet

  • Wide, flat heath landscape with fields, meadows and hedgerows
  • A quiet village scene far from major roads
  • A good base for cycling and walking by the water
  • A clear night sky with little light pollution

Worthwhile destinations nearby

BornholtCanal

The tiny neighbouring village also lies on the canal, with steep canal steps and a viewing bench high above the water. All the details on our own place page.

Hanerau-Hademarschen~7 km

The larger neighbouring village with traces of Theodor Storm, the Hanerau estate and a working watermill. Shops, cafés and further day trips come included.

Fischerhütte chain ferryMonument

Not far away stands the last old chain ferry of the canal, kept on land as a technical monument. A rewarding detour for anyone who enjoys canal history.

Hohenwestedtdistrict seat

The main town of the Mittelholstein district offers shops, doctors and a weekly market, only a few kilometres away.

RendsburgTown

The canal town with its high bridge, transporter bridge and canal tunnel is a bigger destination for a full day out, easily reached by car.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Oldenbüttel?
Oldenbüttel is a small municipality in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde in Schleswig-Holstein, right on the Kiel Canal and near the point where the Gieselau Canal branches off to the Eider. From our guesthouse in Liesbüttel it is only a few minutes away.
What is special about Oldenbüttel?
Its location on two waterways at once. The big Kiel Canal runs here, and here the small Gieselau Canal begins with its lock, plus there is a free ferry across the canal.
Does the canal ferry cost anything?
No. The ferries across the Kiel Canal are free, going back to an old promise from imperial times. So you cross to the other side for free by car, bike or on foot.
When does the Oldenbüttel ferry run?
The Oldenbüttel ferry runs around the clock. It carries cars, bikes and pedestrians across the Kiel Canal free of charge.
How heavy may a vehicle on the Oldenbüttel ferry be?
The permitted load is 45 tonnes. That takes cars, normal-sized motorhomes and bicycles across the canal without trouble.
What is the Oldenbüttel passing place?
A passing place is a wide stretch of the canal where big ships can meet or wait for one another. There is one near Oldenbüttel, roughly halfway along the canal, a lovely spot for ship watching.
Can you watch ships in Oldenbüttel?
Yes, and wonderfully peacefully. Unlike the well-known spots in Kiel or Brunsbüttel, you often have the big ships here almost to yourself.
What is the Gieselau Canal?
The Gieselau Canal is a small canal connecting the Kiel Canal with the Eider. It is the only direct link between the two and is mostly used by leisure boats.
Can you watch the Gieselau lock in action?
Yes. The small lock balances the water level between the canal and the Eider. Watching boats being locked through is a calm, relaxing affair, without the bustle of the big locks.
Is there a fishing spot in Oldenbüttel?
Yes, the Gieselau Canal has a barrier-free fishing spot. To fish you need a valid fishing permit and the right licence.
Which hamlets belong to Oldenbüttel?
The municipality includes the hamlets of Oldenbüttel, Bokelhoop and Bokhorst. They also appear as three houses in the coat of arms.
What does the Oldenbüttel coat of arms show?
It shows two blue wavy bars for the Kiel Canal and the Gieselau Canal, a chain ferry for the tradition of crossing, and three houses for the three hamlets.
Is there a church in Oldenbüttel?
No, the small village has no church of its own. For services as well as shopping, Hanerau-Hademarschen and Hohenwestedt are quickly reached.
Are there megalithic tombs in Oldenbüttel?
I am not aware of reliable evidence for megalithic tombs directly in Oldenbüttel, so I would rather not claim it. In neighbouring Bornholt, by contrast, several prehistoric burial mounds are recorded as monuments.
Is Oldenbüttel good for cycling?
Very good. The cycle path along the Kiel Canal runs close by, flat and always with a view of the water. There are also quiet country roads through the heath.
Is Oldenbüttel good for walking a dog?
Yes. The quiet field and waterside paths are ideal for long walks with a dog. Please follow local rules, such as keeping dogs on a lead in sensitive areas.
Is Oldenbüttel something for children?
The big ships on the canal and the locking on the Gieselau Canal are a real treat for children. Fields and paths also invite roaming and discovery.
How do I get to Oldenbüttel?
Most easily by car along the small country roads around the canal. The nearest station is Hademarschen on the Neumünster-Heide line, from there on by car.
How far is Oldenbüttel from Hanerau-Hademarschen?
Only a few kilometres, a short drive by car. Hanerau-Hademarschen offers shops, cafés and, with Storm traces, an estate and a watermill, further destinations.
Is Oldenbüttel worth a day trip?
Good, especially in combination. The ferry, the lock and ship watching pair nicely with Bornholt, Hanerau-Hademarschen or the Fischerhütte chain ferry to form a small canal loop.
Are there shops or restaurants in Oldenbüttel?
The village is very small, so you will find larger shops and restaurants in Hanerau-Hademarschen and Hohenwestedt within easy reach.
Is Oldenbüttel on the Eider?
Not directly. Oldenbüttel lies on the Kiel Canal, but from here the Gieselau Canal leads over to the Eider. So you reach the Eider itself via that small waterway.
Where can I stay nearby?
Very close by, at our small guesthouse Nord-West 1700 in Liesbüttel. From there it is only a few minutes to Oldenbüttel, the canal and the ferry. Our cosy rooms make a good base for the whole region.

Stay nearby

Would you like to experience the free ferry, the quiet Gieselau lock and the big ships on the canal? Our guesthouse in Liesbüttel is just minutes away, with a hearty breakfast and first-hand tips.

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More places to discover

📍 Bornholt📍 Hanerau-Hademarschen📍 Fischerhütte

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