Multiday Packrafting Trainings Hunsrück (Hunsrück-Tour and Hunsrück-Compact)
"During these four days I have surpassed myself and in my mind I am still trying to arrange all these little adventure puzzle pieces. Again a huge ‘Thank You’ to the guides [...] – I felt safe at all times and the tour has benefited immensely from your charm and serenity that you radiate. [...] I recommend this trip to everyone, who has a pulse for the nature and action."
Victoria from Berlin
Our legendary Hunsrück trainings: Land river trekking, Multiday Packrafting training or expedition preparation. Find your adventure here with a backpack and a packraft in the seclusion of the Hunsrück region. Trips and trainings with everything that makes Packrafting unique.
Our Multiday Packrafting trainings in the Hunsrück region are intense adventures and are always a combination of training and land river tour. It is for those, who want to experience a pure land water trekking tour or just wanting to test themselves and their material on a self supported Multiday Packrafting tour.
In every training a real outdoor experience is waiting for you. Whether in the 2-day variant Hunsrück-Compact with intense workshops and one tour day. Or when in spring the torrents of the Hunsrück between the Moselle and the Nahe valley are accessible, on the 4-day Hunsrück-Tour of which we will be on tour for 3 days with boat and backpack, self supported in nature. We will move from water onto land, through rustic scenery and experience the fascination of an autonomous land water tour with packrafts.
During these trainings you are part of days full of outdoor life, challenge and cozy campfire evenings with workshops on combined land water trips and learning of outdoor skills:
- Packrafting on torrents through unpopulated landscapes and trekking on traditional paths in the Hunsrück, which houses the fledgling national parc Hunsrück Hochwald (only part of the 4-day variant)
- Workshops and training blocks for all major topics on independent Packrafting trips: Paddling technique, packing systems, equipment, food and water and much more (see services and prices)
- On the go in small groups per guide - always accompanied by experienced packraft guides from our team
- An intense outdoor experience with quaint accommodation near the river, campfire and four days of outdoor living. Training of outdoor skills
- Team experience: coping with obstacles
- A workshop day with a short packraft trekking trip on site, paddle training in running waters, equipment testing, pack system workshop, tips and tricks to the equipment, and pleasant campfire evening and outdoor dinner
- Transfers and the two on-tour overnight stays included (additional costs for one night at the camp site depending on your choice of stay (tent, caravan, hut))
Learn more about the 2-day training Hunsrück-Compact
Field report in the blog "My first time multiday packrafting" of the 2-day training
Learn more about the 4-day training Hunsrück-Tour
Field report in the blog "Hunsrück - welcome to "the south"" of the 4-day training
Training date 2-day trainings autmn variant 2022
We are changing the 2-day trainings Hunsrueck-Compact to "Multiday Basic" as from this year on. More information is following.
Multiday Basic2-2022 (2-day training), September 24 - 25, 2022: Reserve spot
Training dates autmn variant 2022
HR-Tour5-2022 (4-day training), October 13 - 16, 2022: Reserve spot
HR-Tour6-2022 (4-day training), October 27 - 30, 2022: Reserve spot
Training dates spring 2023
4-day trainings Hunsrück-Tour HR-Tour1-2023 (4-day training), March 23 - 26, 2023: Reserve spot
HR-Tour2-2023 (4-day training), March 30 - April 2, 2023: Reserve spot
HR-Tour3-2022 (4-day training), April 6 - 9, 2023: Reserve spot
HR-Tour3-2022 (4-day training), April 13 - 16, 2023: Reserve spot
2-day trainings Hunsrück-Tour
Multiday-Basic1-2023 (2-day training), April 22 - 23, 2023: Reserve spot
For our 4-day trainings please be aware of conditions and feasibility of the trip.
Our Hunsrück trainings and Covid-19
We have summarized our guidelines and concepts regarding the SARS-CoV-2 ("Corona") pandemic on our Covid-19 overview page.
Individual Dates
For groups of at least 8 people, we offer individual dates on request during March, April, October and November.
The Hunsrück trainings as part of our program
The training in the Hunsrück are an exciting adventure in itself, a preparation option for our Packrafting expeditions as well as a possible preliminary course to our Packrafting expedition course in Norway.
Do you want a smoother start?
Experience Packrafting on a day in the Nahe valley on our day courses Packrafting adventure days Nahe (In German).
Seek outdoor basic courses in preparation for the tour, equipment, camping and orientation?
Have a look at our LWA Basics courses: LWA Basics Courses Outdoor Basics (In German)
The FAQ to our Hunsrück-Tour
Read our Hunsrück FAQ here. For further questions please contact us personally.
Impressions of the trainings
Further information
Video
It is not a simple task to put in words how it feels to be part of experience. We have made this video instead which packs impressions from our Hunsrück-Trainings in two minutes of video. Enjoy!
Variant Hunsrück-Compact (2 days)
Our most compact expedition preparation course, the 2-day variant Hunsrück-Compact, takes place in the area of our well-known expedition style packrafting course Hunsrück-Tour.
The goal of the compact course is to provide the most intensive equipment and tour knowledge possible for multi-day combined packrafting tours within two compact days. The course focuses on an intensive half day workshop as well as paddling technique on the first day and a full tour day in the Hunsrück with a beautiful paddling section on the Nahe on the second day. Therefore, we also offer our participants in the two-day version to make the course as close to reality as possible by bringing the complete equipment and staying overnight in a tent. However, this is not a must.
For an intensive course experience, we do recommend staying overnight in the tent meadow, but an overnight tent stay is not necessary for this course variant. Our base camp, the Nahemühle campground offers other overnight accommodations ranging from simple wooden cabins to rooms. An overnight stay in a self-selected accommodation in the surrounding area from pension to hotel is of course also possible.
The same applies to the equipment. For the "expedition feeling" we recommend to arrive with a completely packed backpack for adventures of several days and to start the tour day with just this full expedition luggage. For this purpose, as with our other courses and tours, we provide a detailed packing list in advance. Alternatively, a backpack with the day's luggage is sufficient for the tour day.
Training days
First day at camp
Arrival and workshop on equipment, packing systems and lodging for Multiday Packrafting trips, as well as a warm-up Packrafting trip with paddling lessons and capsize training with expedition luggage.
Second day on a combined packraft trip
Transfer to the start of the day trip depending on water level and weather conditions between Hahnenbachtal and Rotenfels; an intensive combined packrafting day with a challenging hike with day or expedition pack as desired and a packraft trip on the Nahe River.
More impressions of the compact courses:
Variant Hunsrück-Tour (4 days)
Our 4-day Packrafting training Hunsrück-Tour, already described by participants and partners as the "legendary" Hunsrück-Tour, combines a day of Packrafting workshops with a 3-day self-supported expedition-style tour.
Trip Schedule
Day 1 (Workshops): Arrival at the Nahe (around noon). Beginning the adventure with an intense warm-up including snacks, a packraft equipment workshop and an introduction to the Packrafting trip on-site. Finally a cozy campsite evening.
Tourday 1: Start of the autonomous 3-day tour; transfer to the starting point of a challenging packraft trekking day in the Hahnenbach valley; Closing the day with a campfire evening near the ruins of a castle.
Tourday 2: After a slow morning at the ruins of the castle, we return to the Hahnenbach through the quaint Hahnenbach valley per packraft and foot.
Tourday 3: On small paths above the Hahnenbach valley, we enter into the upper Nahe; along a long section of the river through the Nahe valley until Monzingen; Tour ends at about 4-5 pm at the campsite of Monzingen.
Read more information on the compact Multiday trip (2 days).
Landscape and Tour Description
The main scenery of this trip is the romantic and rich of bird diversity Hahnenbach valley. It is located in the Hunsrück, one of the loneliest and rustic highlands of Germany. To the South West, there are two ridges resting on old quartzite rocks in the Idar Forest, extending south towards the Saarland and the well-known Soonwald, finally sloping north to the Rhine.
In the beginning, traveling by foot, we arrive at the Hahnenbach switching for the first time to our boats. With our luggage strapped on the packrafts, we will be carried away by the streams through idyllic forests and meadows throughout the valley, towards the Hahnenbach. In the evening, the ruins of a castle rise in front of us. This is our first campground far from civilization.
The next day takes us right through the lonely Hahnenbach valley. You can expect a day traveling through narrow canyon-like places, wide river meadows and barriers that we face as a team. As the sun slowly sets, we load our boats in our backpacks and hike a short way down to our next campground close by the river. At the routine bonfire, there is time enough to talk about the past day and to let the impressions sink.
On the last day of the tour, we will pass the Hahnenbach mouths and continue our journey through the Nahe valley. Reaching this diverse section of quiet valleys and splashy river parts our tour finally comes to an end.
The warm up to the adventure: Workshop-day at the campsite Nahemühle
Three challenging days out in nature await us, an adventure we will embark together in the wilderness. But before we stroll along, we will have an intense introduction day at the campsite Nahemühle in Monzingen.
On the first day of this Packrafting training, we will check our equipment, introduce you to handling the paddle in running water and will have the opportunity to try out the boats, luggage and dry suits directly on the river. Additionally, we will conduct a workshop on combined land river packing system and provide tips and tricks for the equipment.
In the evening, after the sun goes down, we sit at a cozy bonfire, looking forward to the tour ahead.
Comparison of the variants
Services and Prices
Workshops in both the 2-day and 4-day trainings
- Workshop packing systems for Multiday Packrafting (self-supplied, multiday combined land water trips) with internal storage options (CargoFly/TiZip/ISS) and without
- Workshop outdoor equipment for Multiday Packrafting
- Food and nutrition on tour
- Camp choice and camping skills
- Overview Packrafting equipment (types of packrafts, paddles and clothing)
- Paddling technique on stationary and moving waters
- Capsizing and re-entry
- Recognizing and assessing obstacles in moving waters
- Hauling and portaging
- Workshop packraft repair on tour
Variant Hunsrück-Compact
Participation: 279€
Rental fee for equipment: Packraft with accessories: 80€ packraft with accessories, Dry suit: 30€
The rental costs for packraft equipment are somewhat higher for multiday trainings, as this type of traning places above-average demands on the rental equipment and requires more time-consuming preparation and post-processing of the equipment.
You own, suitable packrafting equipment can be used, then the rental fee is waived accordingly.
Training content
The general contents as well as the workshops are identical to the 4-day training (see below). Though 2 days of expedition in the Hahnenbach valley are dropped. The in return more intensive tour day of this compact trip will be committed with a daypack, but we also offer you the possibility to take the full expedition luggage with you, for example as preparation and test for a different trip.
Variant Hunsrück-Tour
Participation: 479€ per person
Rental fee for equipment: Packraft with accessories: 140€, Dry suit: 60€
The rental costs for packraft equipment are somewhat higher for multiday trainings, as this type of traning places above-average demands on the rental equipment and requires more time-consuming preparation and post-processing of the equipment.
You own, suitable packrafting equipment can be used, then the rental fee is waived accordingly.
Services/Training elements:
- Workshop day (day 1, warm-up) including workshops on packing system, outdoor food equipment and a short combined Packrafting introduction tour in the area around the campsite
- Three day (day 2-4) intense Packrafting training as a self-supplied combined tour, with three days of outdoor life and every day alternating raft and foot treks
- Two on-tour overnight stays with bonfire
- All transfers between arrival and departure
- A welcome snack and a joint bonfire food event on the evening first day
- Professional organization, logistics and route direction by experienced guides
- Restriction to small groups for an individual experience
- Training script/information: Detailed packing list with information on equipment and personal preparation as well as information regarding arrival and training schedule.
- During the tour, and especially while sitting together at the bonfire, we will provide information about further outdoor topics like fire, bivouac, food, equipment and the abundant flora – on request.
Picture Service
During the course the guides will take high quality pictures on land and water which will be provided to all participants after the course in high resolution and free of charge.
Included in the rental fee
- A rugged, professional single person packraft with spray deck as well as an easy to stow double paddle
- Waterproof dry suits with dry socks and soft closures around the wrist and neck. You can wear your normal trekking outfit underneath - it will stay dry
- Waterproof pack sack and tension straps
- Life vest
Arrival and Location
Arrival and Location
Arrival and departure point is the campsite Nahemühle in Monzingen, Germany, located just a short walk (approx. 800 m) from the train station of Monzingen. Monzingen is located about 40 kilometers south of the German town Bingen am Rhein, and can be reached in under two hours by train from Frankfurt (airport or train station).
Overnight stay on the first day is possible with tent, camper or in cabins of the campsite, the cost is paid by the participants. Cars can be parked for free close to the entry of the camp site.
Detailed information about the directions are included in the tour description.
Feedback of Participants
Land Water Blog: Hunsrück - welcome to "the south"
In the Hunsrück it all started for LWA - with the first Hunsrück crossing with packrafts which then became our Multiday courses . In the following years Land Water Adventures was especially determined by the people who came together as a team for this exciting ride. So it is only fitting that it also started for Johannes with LWA in the Hunsrück.
Frank from the Stuttgart area, Multiday Packrafting Training Hunsrück, Spring 2018
This is Frank. Frank was with us for the first time in spring 2018 in the Hunsrück. And because he had read so much about the chocolate love of the LWA team on our channels in advance, he brought a whole box of it with him to the tour start. We were impressed! :-)
After the tour Frank replied to us with a wink of the eye:
"An old saying goes: 'If you can't impress people with performance, impress them with chocolate' ;-) I have to thank you for the great tour, it was really an experience! Since I was able to cope with the weight of the luggage much better than I feared, I now also plan to take the next step next year and go on the Norway tour with you."
Read more feedbacks of our participants
Anika and Till from Dresden, Germany in Spring 2017
Anika and Till made their way from Dresden to us at the beginning of 2017, to start the season in the Hunsrück. After their first Multiday Packrafting trip and maiden journey of their new boats, they both described their impressions to us in an email. Just to jump into the waves of Soca a half a year later.
"During the Hunsrück trip we had a lot of fun, learned a lot and were able to pick up so many impressions and inspiration. Looking back it really feels longer than four days. It was great to meet you. You two were very sympathetic guides with whom we felt save at any time. The course was perfectly organized and we could really see that you put great passion in details."
Read more feedbacks of our participants
Kajak-Magazin from October 2016
In spring 2016 the journalist and writer Susanne Blech joint us on a Hunsrück-Tour
The result was a 6-page reporting story which was published in the German Kajak-Magazin 06/2016.
Two excerpts from the story:
"The sun is already about to set when the six Packrafters arrive exhausted at the remote Schmidtburg near Kirn. [...] In the twilight, the camp for the night is hastily set up in the ruins of the once stately fortress.
The first day of the spring tour through the wild Hunsrück is drawing to a close..."
"They have fought their way through the "jungle" together, slept in a castle ruin to the sound of raindrops, sweated on a section of the Soonwaldsteig and finally surfed in the high water waves of the Nahe. Sebastian's self-conception to lead the tour, but to leave each participant his free space, is well received...".
The complete report can be found in the Kajak-Magazin 06/2016.
Facebook Feedback of a Participant
Victoria was traveling with us in a packraft for the first time ever on an autonomous Multiday tour. After the tour she wrote the following review on Facebook.
"During these four days I have surpassed myself and in my mind I am still trying to arrange all these little adventure puzzle pieces.
Again a huge ‘Thank You’ to the guides [...] – I felt safe at all times and the tour has benefited immensely from your charm and serenity that you radiate. [...] I recommend this trip to anyone, having a pulse for the nature and action. Cheers, Victoria"
Victoria from Berlin, participant Packrafting trip Hunsrück
Tour report on the first ever Hunsrück-Tour (In German in the Land Water Blog)
In spring 2014 we have carried out what later became the Hunsrück training for the first time with three daring participants.
Conditions and Feasibility of the Hunsrück-Tour
Feasibility/Performance
To execute the 4-day training Hunsrück-Tour completely we depend on the level of the Nahe inflows like the Hahnenbach.
In case of a severe drought in winter/spring, resulting in low water on the Hahnenbach, it is not suitable and for natural environmental protection reasons, it is not possible to conduct the trip.
If the inflows will have high water it is for safety reasons not possible to perform the trip.
Under these circumstances, we will perform the 2-day variant on scheduled dates on a subsection of the Hunsrück-Tour.
The execution of the 4-day trip will be confirmed for each trip date three weeks in advance.
Under special circumstances, for example high water, we reserve the right to change the trip route.
Meals and Equipment
Participants carry their full equipment. This includes in particular meals (except welcome snack and evening food event on the first training day), sleeping and cooking equipment. This means - especially on the 4-day variante - a heavy backpack of 20kg or more (when the Packrafting-Equipment is included). It is your responsibility to prepare and cook your meals during the trip. You will be guided by the information materials in advance and on request by our guides.
During the first day of introduction you can form into groups to use certain equipment together and store unnecessary equipment at a location, where the tour begins.
Weather Conditions and Requirements
During these trainings we depend strongly on the local weather especially in the river valleys. The trip can be physically demanding during certain weather conditions. Depending on the water level and flow rate, you will have to exit and enter your boat while in the water and clear obstacles out of the way. That makes the trip harder. But this is all practiced on the workshop-day, day 1.
Nevertheless, the trip is not only for the experienced, but also for beginners. Assuming basic fitness, enjoyment of outdoor and new challenges as well as ambition and adventure spirit.
Booking and Questions
Booking
You can book via our reservation form below, thereby your training spot is reserved. We will contact you directly for possible inquiries. After all questions have been clarified the binding booking will be made through the bank transfer. You will receive training documents and arrival information after the bank transfer.
Of course we also accept personal booking requests.
Training prerequisites/Minimum number of participants
Our trainings will be carried out if a minimum number of 6 participants is reached. We will inform you not later than 5 days prior to your specific date if that number is not reached. In that case you will be offered the choice of an alternate date or a full refund.
In case of questions or uncertainties
You have questions? We will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with more information. Our courses and expeditions are our passion. You can reach us directly through multiple channels.
Reservation
Only a few steps more towards your adventure.
With this form you are submitting a reservation request which will only become a binding booking once we personally confirm availability and once we have recieved your wire transfer. Please find the details of the reservation procedure below before submission of this form.