The Eger River is legendary among paddlers primarily because, unlike other Czech rivers, it flows beautifully and you’ll rarely encounter boring, stagnant stretches (“oleje”). The navigable section on Czech territory is over 100 kilometers long and offers excellent facilities in the form of a dense network of campsites, camping grounds, and paddlers’ pubs.

Where to Paddle (Main Sections)

A traditional kayaking trip is divided into several popular stages based on the crew’s experience:

• Tršnice / Kynšperk nad Ohří – Loket (a leisurely start): A calmer, meandering stretch lined with meadows and forests, where the current flows gently. Ideal for warming up and for families with children.
• Loket – Karlovy Vary (the most beautiful classic route): The most attractive and photogenic section for paddlers. The river flows through the deep canyon of the Slavkovský Les Protected Landscape Area, winds around the majestic Loket Castle, and passes the monumental granite towers of the Svatošské Rocks. 
• Karlovy Vary – Jakubov / Vojkovice / Klášterec nad Ohří (the wilder middle reaches): Beyond Karlovy Vary, the river picks up speed and enters a forested valley beneath the Ore Mountains. Here, paddlers can tackle the famous Hubertus practice rapids and the wilder rapids around Velichov. Most paddlers end their trip in Klášterec nad Ohří or in Kadaň.

Difficulty and Safety

The Eger is generally classified as a recreational river with difficulty levels ranging from ZWC (calm, still water) to WW I+ (mild rapids). It is suitable for beginners, families, and experienced paddlers, provided they follow basic safety rules.

• Beware of weirs: The most distinctive feature—and the greatest danger—of the Eger River are its hazardous and impassable weirs, which have strong back currents (e.g., the weirs at Kynšperk nad Ohří, Černý mlýn, and Radošov). You must always safely portage around these weirs along the bank! In contrast, the renovated Tuhnice weir in Karlovy Vary has a safe passageway for paddlers. 

What You Can See from the Boat

A cruise on the Eger is essentially a historical and natural excursion. Directly from the boat’s deck or after a brief stop at the shore, you can visit:

• Loket Castle – a majestic medieval fortress perched on a rock directly above the river.
• Svatošské Rocks – a rock formation shrouded in legends of petrified weddings.
• Karlovy Vary – a spa metropolis that you’ll sail through directly beneath its historic bridges.
• The wooden covered bridge in Radošov – a historic engineering monument that you’ll sail under.
• Kyselka – the historically restored complex of Heinrich Mattoni’s former spa. 

Where can you rent boats and rafts?

The Eger River offers excellent water sports services. Rental companies operate a dense network of boat depots (pickup points), which means you can rent a boat at the start of the route and return it a few days later downstream without having to worry about transportation. Rental companies also typically arrange for luggage transport between campsites.

Among the largest and most reliable rental companies on the river are:

1. Dronte Boat Rental – one of the largest operators on the Eger River, with its own campsites and bases. -> Link to website
2. Samba Boat Rental – a very popular rental company with excellent service, boathouses, and Samba family canoes. -> Link to website
3. Putzer Water Sports Rental – a traditional regional rental company with boat yards in Tršnice, Loket, Karlovy Vary, and Perštejn. -> Link to website
4. Leština Boat Rental – operates a huge water sports base and campground right in Loket. -> Link to website

Photo: Petr Lněnička, KVPOINT – Karlovy Vary Region Photo Bank