IVb.3    Section Itzehoe - Kiel Canal      47 km

Itzehoe

Bismarck Tower                  4 km

Kaaksburg                        16 km

Vaale                                12 km

Kiel Canal                         15 km

This was to be a four day tour from Itzehoe to Schleswig. Due to construction work by German Rail my start was delayed. There was partially a replacement bus shuttle. Finally I started at the railway station in Itzehoe where I had stopped last time.

A short search in the town centre I was back on the trail. E1a does not pass directly at the railway station. It passes by a former monastery (Klosterhof), follows quiet roads and passes by Lake Große Tonkuhle. Soon I reached Bismarck tower. It continues is the forests Klosterforst and Staatsforst Halloh. Upon leaving these forests the path continues along endless farm fields. I had lunch after crossing Autobahn just short of Kaaks. I cooked my hot meal.

I continued towards Kiel Canal. Just short of Waale I missed Wacken by about two kilometres. This place is known by every Heavy Metal Fan around the world. Towards evening I arrived at Vaaler Moor. The path has been rerouted south. This moor is part of the European nature reserves (Natura 2000). Hamburg partly paid for bringing this reserve back to its original state. This was done as compensation for deepening river Elbe. A free of charge ferry brought me across the canal.

I camped south of Burg at Kiel Canal. During the night a couple of ships passing by woke me up.

The quality of trail markings from Itzehoe to Schleswig was of different quality. Some sections very well, some stretches not so good and sometimes not at all. Also several times metal bike pass signs completely obscured markings.

Klosterhof (monastery) at Pond Klosterhof in Itzehoe

Storms Pond north of Itzehoe

Vaaler Moor shortly before reaching Kiel Canal

Container vessel sailing on Kiel Canal

Camping site along Kiel Canal

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