Kiel Canal Towpath, Rendsburg to Kiel-Holtenau

The Kiel Canal Towpath begins at Paradeplatz in Rendsburg, reached by train, and follows the historic horse-towing path alongside the Kiel Canal for 40 km to Kiel-Holtenau, where bus or train connections run back into Kiel; no permit is required for this public path. The full route has no significant elevation gain, following the flat towpath along the canal bank, and the surface is firm packed gravel or grass for its entire length, with little shade since the towpath runs in the open alongside the shipping channel. Because the full distance takes 8 to 9 hours, most hikers walk it in shorter sections of 2 to 3 hours, using the towns and villages along the canal, such as Rendsburg, Sehestedt, and Kiel-Holtenau, as start and end points served by public transport. Landmarks along the way include the Rendsburg transporter bridge with its distinctive suspended ferry car, near-constant views of the large ocean-going ships that use the canal, the Kiel Canal locks at both ends, and the final approach into Kiel-Holtenau past the Kiel Lighthouse. Water and food are available in the towns along the route but not on the towpath itself between them, so carrying supplies for whichever section is planned is important. There are no huts along the canal, but benches are placed at intervals for ship-watching breaks.