The Oberland Canal also Oberland Canal or Elbing-Osterode Canal, named after the cities Elblag and Ostróda, is an approx. 85 km long canal from the early 19th century that connects the Eylauer Seenplatte with the Fresh lagoon in the northeast Poland in the voivodeship Warmia-Masuria connects via numerous lakes and locks. The canal runs through the historical landscapes Warmia and Masurian. It is very popular with canoeists, sailors and other water sports enthusiasts. Passenger ships also operate on the canal. The numerous locks with a total difference in height of approx. 100 meters are overcome on rails, whereby the cable winches are driven by the water power of the canal slope, so that no external energy supply is necessary. This masterpiece of engineering in the 19th century still amazes visitors.
Run
The canal flows through the Eylauer Seenplatte from Elbing am Frischen Haff to Ostróda in the Masurian Oberland. The waterway network can be navigated with a houseboat. There are numerous locks to be passed.
Boat tours
The enterprise Żegluga Ostródzko-Elbląska offers various tours on the canal from April to September, but only two of them include the unique ship lifts:
- Elbląg/ Buczyniec or Buczyniec /Elbląg, Travel time approx. 5 hours, The route runs over a section of the Oberland Canal, on which there is a system of five rolling mountains and the Druzno bird sanctuary. In addition to the boat ticket, a ticket for the bus transfer back can be purchased. Parking in Elbląg is chargeable.
- Buczyniec - Kąty - Buczyniec, travel time approx. 2 hours During the excursion, the ship negotiates the inclines in Buczyniec and Kąty back and forth. Free parking is available in Buczyniec.
Tickets can be purchased at Elbląg and Buczyniec stations.
