Johans Kayak Site   www.kanoroutes.nl

Nieuwkoopse Plassen
CONTENT

The Nieuwkoopse Plassen exist of a large area of moors with many small canals. The largest lakes are the Noordeinderplas north of Nieuwkoop and the Zuideinderplas south of Nieuwkoop. Most major canals are open to public, some smaller canals are closed. The whole area is owned by Natuurmonumenten, an organization that protects nature-areas with a special value. There are three marked kayak routes in the area with numbered poles. Also there are routes for electro-boats. The signs look similar, but they have different numbers. In some canals only unmotorized vessels are permitted. Alle motorizes vessels must have a permit, unmotorized vessels don't need one.

Kayak rentals:

Three marked routes:

Three marked routes. For detailed maps and GPS-tracks visit the site of Natuurmonumenten.

Starting point Noorden

Opposite the church there is a small parking area near kayak rental place Nikano. Parking is free.

Starting point Nieuwkoop

At the marina Plaszicht. Parking on private area at the kayak rental. The center of Nieuwkoop is a blue zone, maximum 2 hours with parking disc.

Starting point Ziendeweg.

Exit the N11 between Alphen a.d. Rijn and Bodegraven at exit 11 towards Zwammerdam. At the roudabout you turn left towards Zwammerdam. At the next roundabout you turn right on the Akerboomseweg into Zwammerdam. You turn right across a bridge and the turn left across another bridge. Just after the second bridge you turn right on the narrow road Ziendeweg. After 2.2 km. there is a small parking place on your right. There are kayak piers on both sides of the road. On your right is access to the Nieuwkoopse Plassen.
From here you can follow the marked green route. Another option is the GPS-track of 21 km.

Round trip of 21 km. (GPS-track)

From the starting point Ziendeweg you turn left. When you come at a small lake you turn slightly to the right and enter the narrow canal on the other side. When you come at a lake you follow the right side towards the Zuideinder Plas. You follow the left side, and you pass two piers with recreation fields. It is possible to swim here. You turn left under the white lift-bridge, and head for the small island. Here you turn left and enter the canal. Follow the main canal along the houses of Nieuwkoop. After a small recreation field you turn left into a narrow canal. Follow the canal around the church. You come at a small marina. There are a few mooring piers. If there's room you can go to the side here and visit Vinnies Restobar. From here you return to the main canal towards the Noordeinder Plas. You cross the lake and in the far end on the other side you enter the canal to the right. You come at a small lake and here to turn left. There are many canals. From here you follow the red signs of the kayak route. When you come at a wider canal towards Noorden, you turn right, and you keep following the red signs. When you see signs of the yellow route, you leave the red route and continue on the yellow route. After a sharp bend to the left with a mooring place, you turn left again and leave the yellow route. There is a weir. If closed you can open it by pressing a button, or carry the kayak passed the weir. Follow the straight canal. After a bend to the right, and to the left again you approach the Meije. After another weir you turn right on the Meije. You pass the large white water-tower, and then you turn right. After a bend to the left you turn right and you come at the Zuideinder Plas. You cross the lake slightly to the left towards an island. Behind the island there are two inlets to a canal that heads south (green route). You follow the canal. At sign directing towards Zwammerdam you turn right. Straight ahead you return to the starting-point.

GPS Noorden: N. 52.1642 E. 4.8257.
Ziendeweg (green route): N 52.1192 E. 4.7522.

Downloadable GPS-track (21 km): Nieuwkoop21km.

Marked green route of 11 km. on the Meije and the Zuideinderplas.
Downloadable GPX-track: Nieuwkoopgroen.

Zuideinderplas.

Nieuwkoop.

Nieuwkoop.

Vinnies Restobar in Nieuwkoop. At the piers you can go to the side and visit the restaurant.

Nieuwkoop.

Noordeinderplas.

Marked red route.

Nieuwkoopse Plassen.

Churchtower of Noorden.

Watertower along the Meije.

Zuideinderplas.