Everything you need to know about our tidal barriers…
The purpose of our beautiful dykes is to protect our marshlands against floods. Since we have a lot of harbours and boats in our region, we also need tidal barriers that open regularly so that ships can pass. To help you with your planning and to avoid you getting stuck on your way due to an open tidal barrier, we have listed the opening hours of our tidal barriers here.
Important! To avoid any confusion!
Open tidal barriers are open for ships and closed for cyclists! This means that the closed tidal barriers are open for cyclists to pass.
Tidal barrier Pinnau
These opening hours apply from 1 May to 30 September.
Monday to Wednesday: 8.45 am – 3.45 pm
Thursday: 8.45 am – 1.45 pm
Friday: 8.45 am – 12.45 pm
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays:
9.00 am – 1.00 pm, 2.00 – 6.00 pm
Break: 1.15 pm – 2.00 pm
The tidal barriers are closed every 60 minutes on weekdays, which means that they can be crossed for a short period every 60 minutes. Apart from during lunchtime, the tidal barriers are closed for ships and therefore open for cyclists and pedestrians on Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays. If a ship needs to go through the barrier, it will be closed for crossings by pedestrians and cyclists whilst the ship passes through.
In addition to the tidal barriers, there is a swing bridge located inland as an alternative option to cross the river Pinnau.
Tidal barrier Krückau
These opening hours apply from 1 May to 30 September.
Monday to Wednesday: 9.15 am –3.15 pm
Thursday: 9.15 am –2.15 pm
Friday: 8.15 am – 12.15 pm
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays:
9.00 am – 1.00 pm, 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Break: 13.15 pm – 2.00 pm
The tidal barriers are closed every 60 minutes on weekdays, which means that they can be crossed for a short period every 60 minutes. Apart from during lunchtime, the tidal barriers are closed for ships and therefore open for cyclists and pedestrians on Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays. If a ship needs to go through the barrier, it will be closed for crossings by pedestrians and cyclists whilst the ship passes through.
From May to early October, you also have the option to cross the river Krückau the old-fashioned way with Germany’s smallest ferry between Neuendorf and Seester.
Tidal barrier Stör
From our point of view, the tidal barrier at the mouth of the river Stör is the most cycle-friendly one since it is generally closed. Only if a ship arrives and signals that it wants to pass the tidal barrier, does the bridge operator open the bridge and lift the bridge deck (i. e. the road). For this reason, there are no set opening and closing hours.
The opening of the bridge lasts about ten minutes. The perfect occasion to take a short break and watch the show.
Tidal barrier Wischhafen
The bascule bridge across the tidal barrier in the river Wischhafener Süderelbe can be passed by pedestrians and cyclists from May to September during the following hours:
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays:
10.00 am – 12.00 pm, 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Motor vehicles are not allowed to use the bridge.
Tidal barrier Oste
The bascule bridge across the tidal barrier in the river Oste can be crossed by pedestrians as well as by vehicles up to a maximum weight of 2.8t.
April to September
Tuesday to Thursday: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
October to March
Tuesday to Thursday: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
River traffic has priority over road traffic.
