The Dove Elbe is a small, idyllic river in the southeast of Hamburg and is considered a natural paradise for day-trippers from the metropolis and especially for athletes who want to explore the region and the natural landscape with kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and small motorboats. What can you discover while SUPing on the Dove Elbe? How suitable is the river for stand up paddling? I have put together the most important information for your next visit.

The flat, northern German landscape looks like something out of a picture book. Cows graze in the meadows, the river flows peacefully and idyllic farms and houses can be found directly behind the dike. The Dove Elbe runs picturesquely in the east of Hamburg between Moorfleet, Allermöhe, Nettelnburg and Bergedorf. It is an old arm of the Elbe that was separated from the main river by a dike and therefore runs autonomously. Perfect conditions for the water to Stand Up Paddling to use?

“Dove” means deaf, i.e. a mute arm of the Elbe. At the level of the Hamburg-Allermöhe regatta route, the Gose Elbe branches off from the Dove Elbe, which runs a little further south to Neuengamme. A section of the Dove Elbe also leads to Neuengamme and Altengamme.

A real local recreation area in Hamburg – and ideal for SUP

The overall picture is incredibly peaceful and tranquil, a local recreation area for many Hamburg residents. When you visit the Vierlanden, you have no idea that you are only a few kilometers away from the metropolis of Hamburg - when visibility is good, you can even see the television tower on the horizon. Otherwise, fields and windmills dominate the picture.

Apparently an excellent place for stand up paddling. Maybe the river is a good alternative SUP on the Alster or to do Stand Up Paddling on the Baltic Sea? I looked around locally and ventured onto the water with a stand-up paddle board to try out the river for you.

Video – Impressions of the SUP in Allermöhe

Unfortunately, I haven't made my own video of SUP on the Dove Elbe yet, so I've picked out a pretty impressive video for you where you can see very clearly what it's like to paddle on the river.

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Stand Up Paddling on the Dove Elbe - what is there to discover? 

A quick overview

• A natural, idyllic landscape with the Dove Elbe, fields and farms.
• Discover the Dove Elbe with the SUP and explore the landscape from the water.
• Although the Dove Elbe is a flowing water, the conditions here are ideal for beginners.

Explore the Dove Elbe while stand up paddling

My experiences

The water of the Dove Elbe is rather dark and is reminiscent of the black water that is often found in the south of the USA. This makes the board seem to float above the surface of the water and creates a very special driving experience. Once you're out on the river, you can fully devote yourself to nature. Although the Dove Elbe is a flowing water, you can move against the current with relatively little effort.

Sights along the shore

That's a good thing, because there's a lot to see on the shore. In some places there are cows on the dike, here and there an angler sits on the bank and lovingly restored windmills invite you to take a short stop. You are guaranteed to meet many other athletes on a tour. Many people go stand-up paddling with a board, but there are also many kayakers and rowers on the shallow waters. The water police patrol from time to time. People also travel on the water in rowing boats or smaller, motorized ships.

It's quieter during the week

In some places there are also houseboats on the shore that are even inhabited. Anyone who floats on the river can enjoy the silence and rurality of the region, especially during the week when there are not so many people - and really switch off with SUP on the Dove Elbe.

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The ideal entry points for stand up paddling on the Dove Elbe

Two entry points in particular are ideal for getting into the water on the Dove Elbe. On the one hand, you can put your SUP into the water on the Hamburg-Allermöhe regatta route. It is located right next to the popular Eichbaumsee, which is visited by many bathers in summer. To park and inflate your SUP, you will find some parking spaces directly on Allermöher Deich street. From there it's not far to the water.

The second entry option, which I prefer, is a long way further southeast. There is a footbridge near which there is a limited number of parking spaces. This somewhat inconspicuous entry point is located near the Allermöher shipyard. Both starting points are equally suitable for starting a SUP tour on the Dove Elbe. Depending on which section of the river you want to sail, you can choose the respective location.

Map of the Dove Elbe

Be mindful when stand up paddling on flowing waters like the Dove Elbe

Although the Dove Elbe is a shallow and calm body of water, it is still a flowing water. You should definitely take a few safety precautions when stand up paddling in order to minimize the dangers when paddling on the Dove Elbe. You should always carry a life buoy with you and secure your board with a leash on your feet. Always start your tour against the current so that you can do the strenuous part of the tour first and let yourself drift on the way back.

It also makes sense to use wetsuits in autumn, winter and spring if necessary. The water of the Dove Elbe can still be relatively cold. You should also pay close attention to shipping traffic, as some boats and ships rush past you relatively quickly and can of course throw you off balance with their waves.

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Getting to the Dove Elbe – easily accessible from Hamburg

From the center of Hamburg you can easily get to the Vier- und Marschlande and to the entry points for stand-up paddling and kayaking. You can drive via Ring 2 and the A1 from the Moorfleet exit and then turn onto the A25 towards Geesthacht. Or from the south, take the A1 directly onto the A25. You then take the HH-Allermöhe exit, follow the road and get directly to the parking facilities on the regatta course.

You can reach the second entry point via exit 4 HH-Nettelnburg. Keep right after the exit and pass the Allermöhe shipyard. The parking spaces come after a few hundred meters just behind a scaffolding company and should be approximately at the level of Allermöher Deich house number 400. The region is also easily accessible by public transport bus.

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SUP on the Dove Elbe - idyllic waters for stand up paddling?

My conclusion

The Dove Elbe is an incredibly calm and idyllic body of water in the southeast of Hamburg. It can be reached quickly from the city center via the A1 and A25 and is ideal for all stand-up paddlers who want to try out SUP outside of Hamburg. Of course, this applies equally to kayakers, inflatable boat enthusiasts and rowers. The section of the river is not only beautifully situated, but is also suitable for beginners and advanced hikers alike.

You can explore nature there with your board without getting bored. Windmills, bridges, junctions and lots of untouched nature make the Dove Elbe a first-choice excursion destination. Of course, this doesn't just apply to stand-up paddlers and water sports fans, but to all hikers, adventurers and explorers who would like to get out of the city again without having to drive far.

Have you already been stand-up paddling on the Dove Elbe or are you planning your first tour? Which bodies of water around Hamburg can you recommend? Share your experiences in the comments.