A round trip of 14.3 km marked with signs "Bollenroute". Several portages (some of them are difficult).
This route is part of a marked route "Bollenroute".
No kayak rentals
Starting point in Hillegom at the sport park De Zanderij at the Van Den Endelaan.
To the starting point: Take the N208 Haarlem - Lisse. In the center of Hillegom there is a dead-end side-road to the right just after a roundabout. This is the Van den Endelaan. At the end of the street is a parking place. The kayak pier is straight ahead behind the information sign.If you come from the south, you have to make a 180 degree turn at the roundabout as there is no left-turn possible from the main road N208.
From the starting point you go to the right. After a short distance there is a barrier in the water at the bridge. You have to portage here across the road.
The sides are very steep, but a few steps have been made. On the other side you have to get in behind the garden-shed. This is rather difficult.
After a bend you take the second canal to the right. After a bend to the right you come at the second portage place. There are good kayak piers here.
You follow the canal and at the next junction you turn right on the Oosteindevaart. You have to portage at the pumping-station, but there are good kayak piers.
At the end of the canal you turn left on the Ringvaart of the Haarlemmermeer polder. You pass Zwaanshoek.
Just after the bridge you turn left on the narrow canal Bennebroekervaart.
In the center there is a meadow on your right where you can take a break. There is a baker-store.
A little further there is dead-end side canal to the right. From here you can have a look at the play-garden
Linnaeushof.
Continue west and at the T-junction you turn left on the Leidse Vaart.
You pass the former train station Vogelenzang.
After a bridge at De Zilk you turn left. There is a pumping station and a low bridge. You have to portage for 50 meters.
At the railroad you turn left and then you turn right under the railroad bridge.
There is a weir, so you need to portage again. There are no kayak piers.
At the next T-junction you turn left and you return to the starting point.
GPS De Zanderij: Lat. 52.2952, Lon. 4.5758.
Downloadable GPS-track (14.3 km): Hillegom.
Just north of the starting point there is a barrier in the water. You need to portage. The sides are very steep, but a few steps have been made. On the other side you get in behind someone's garden shed. This is the official route, so I hope it is arranged that you may trespass on a private garden... Getting in is very difficult as the steps lead to a corner (on photo).
Bennebroek.
Abandoned Linnaeushof because of the corona-crisis of 2020.
Trainstation Vogelenzang.
Along the Leidse Vaart.
