Around the Kiel Canal you find some of the most spectacular engineering landmarks in northern Germany. Foremost the Rendsburg railway high bridge from 1913, which spans the canal at 42 m and still carries trains on the Neumünster to Flensburg line today.
Structures to marvel at
Over 2.5 km of steelwork, plus the famous track loop the railway uses to gain the height for the crossing. A landmark of engineering.
The only transporter ferry in the world under an active traffic bridge. Rebuilt after a ship accident and back in service since 2022, the crossing is free.
A twin-track steel high bridge, 42 m above the water, with a striking lattice silhouette and the canal ferry beneath.
The combined road and rail high bridge from 1986 (405 m long, around 3,600 t of steel) carries the L316 and the Heide–Neumünster railway over the canal. It is walkable and offers wide views in both directions, ideal for watching ships from above.
A small lock on the Gieselau canal that links the Kiel Canal with the Eider river. A quiet engineering monument close by.
Where the canal meets the Elbe, with viewing platforms over the big ships and lock chambers.
You can go up onto the high bridge itself on a guided bridge tour from the stair tower on the south bank. Right on the doorstep, in Hanerau-Hademarschen station about 3 km away, there is also historic railway technology to see.
Frequently asked questions
Is the transporter ferry running again?
Can you go up the high bridge?
Which railway line crosses the bridge?
What is the Grünental high bridge?
If you want to photograph these structures, find the best vantage points on our page Photo spots on the Kiel Canal, and ship fans should look at Ship spotting.
Come and see the engineering on the canal
We will tell you the best places to photograph and which tours are worth it. Send us your preferred dates.
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