Round trip of 25.2 km. on the Lauwersmeer, the Zuider Ee and the Dokkumer Grootdiep.
The Lauwersmeer is a large lake. It's advisable to go there when there's not much wind.Two portages, the second one is 150 meters without facilities.
Starting point Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen:
From Leeuwarden you go east on the N355 towards Buitenpost. Just before Buitenpost there's a roundabout where you turn left on the N358 towards Lauwersoog. After you passed Kollum the road makes a bend to the right and then a bend to the left. After the second bridge you'll find the starting point on your right. There is a parking place.
A route of 25.5 km.
If you want to avoid the portage of 150 meters at the Dokkumer Grootdiep, you can make a detour of 6 km. extra passed Dokkum. The canal Aldmear (Oudmeer) to the Oude Zwemmer was overgrown with reed when I was here in August 2023. After the portage at the windmill the passage became more and more difficult. Finally I had to paddel backwards and turn back.
From the starting point you start going east on the Dokkumer Diep. The water is shallow outside the channel, but it's no problem for kayaks.
You follow the left side. If you like you can navigate east passed the island Senneroog and take a break in the small marina.
There are two kayak piers. From here you head north-west in the direction of the churchtower. You pass a yellow marker and follow the west side.
At the well-marked entrance you turn left on the Raskes.
After 1,5 km you reach the locks of Ezumazijl. There is a kayak pier on the right.
You have to carry the kayak across the dike and across the bridge.
There is a kayak pier at the pumping station.
In August 2023 there was work in progress and the kayak pier was removed. Luckily I was given permission to enter the water at the barn left of the pumping-station.
Behind the barn there is a low side. The kayak pier will be back in place somwhere in October.
From here you paddle west on the Zuider Ee for about 7 km. The last part there is a main road along the canal.
When you see a park on your right with a boat-ramp, you turn left on the Oostrumer Opvaart.
If you want to avoid the portage you can go straight on ant turn left in Dokkum twice. This is about 6 km. extra.
The Oostrume Opvaart is a small canal with several bends.
At the end you see the chimney of an old stone-factory.
There is reed on the side, but on the left side the soil is solid and with some efford you can go to the side here.
You have to carry the kayak for about 150 meters and lift it over one or more iron gates to reach the Dokkumer Grootdiep.
At the edge of the Dokkumer Grootdiep there is a low side. From here you turn left.
You follow the canal to the east. At the locks there is a kayak pier on your left.
At 1.7 km. from the stone-factory there is a canal to the right, the Aldmaer (Oudmeer).
Years ago I followed this canal, and then turned left on the Oude Zwemmer.
The canal is now overgrown with reed (Augus 2023), and passage is not possible.
GPS:
Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen N 53.3170, E 6.1593
Ezumazijl 53.3587, Lat 6.1485
Ljussens N 53.3801 E 6.0916
Downloadable GPS-track (25.2 km): Ezumazijl.gpx.
Portage between the Oostrumer Opvaart and the Dokkumer Grootdiep (150 meter).
Starting point Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen.
There are kayak piers on both sides of the locks. There is a parking place.
Kayak pier at Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen.
Kayak pier on the island Senneroog
Marker between Senneroog and the Raskes.
Lauwersmeer.
The entrance to the Raskes is well marked.
Ezumazijl.
Locks at Ezumazijl.
Locks at Ezumazijl.
In 2023 a fish-passage was made and the kayak-pier behind the pumping station has been removed. You now get in at this place.
Locks in the new canal Nieuwe Vaart near Ezonstad.
There are kayak piers on the right side. The locks have self-service. Portage passed the locks is easy.
Zuider Ee.
Oostrumer Opvaart.
Oostrumer Opvaart.
At the portage pont to the Dokkumer Grootdiep.
There is a low side in the corner of the former harbor.
The entrance of the Ostrumer Opvaart. "Dead end canal. No entrance.
Except for kayaks."