A round trip on De Zaan, the Wormerringvaart and back through the polder Wormer 17.8 km.
An extra trip in the Kalverpolder to the Zaanse Schans adds a few km.
De Zaan is a wide waterway with passing cargo-vessels so the water can be a bit bumpy.
Kayak rentals: Kajak Centrum Arjan Bloem tel: 075-6218805.
Starting point Noorddijk, Wormerveer:
Take the N246 Assendelft - Marken-Binnen/De Woude/N244.At the traffic-lights you exit in the direction Westknollendam. The main road makes a bend to the left, but you go straight on into the dead-eand road. In the bend to the right there is a portage point. You start on the left at the Zaan. Load off the kayak and park at the parking place 100 meters away.
Round trip of 17.8 km.
The starting point is behind the polluted island Bloemendaal. You turn right and pass the remains of a bridge. A sign warns for under water obstacles, but I didn't see any. You head south on De Zaan. After a short distance you pass Kayak Center Arjan Bloem on the left. A little further is the lock Poelsluis to the polder Wormer, where we return from the round-trip. You pass a lot of old and new industry, and some old warehouses. The bridge Zaanbrug is being renewed and a little further there is a temporary bridge wit a narrow passage (2023). When the water becomes wider you pass the former locks Bartelsluis on your left. There is a green bridge across the inlet. Portage is not possible here. A little furhter you see the windmills of the Zaanse Schans on your left.You pass under the large Julianabrug with the flour mill Bleke Dood. After the bridge you turn left into De Poel. At the sides there is industry and you see some old boats. You pass the liftbridge and continue on the Braaksloot. On both sides there are many house-boats. At the end you turn left on the Wormerringvaart. This canal surrounds the polder Wijdewormer. After a short distance you come at the iron mill Hercules. There is a portage point with good kayak piers and a picnic table. From here you can make an extra trip in the Kalverpolder and go to the museum area of the Zaanse Schans. There are many canals, some of them are difficult to pass through, and there are dead ends. When you return to the Wormerringvaart you continue to the left. At an Y-junction you turn right. A little further you come at a portage point to the polder Wormer. There are good kayak piers, and there is an information sign. In the Wormer there are numbered poles. From the kayak-pier (24) you head north and pass pole 23. Then you turn left on the wider canal towards pole 22. The pole is on your left, but here you turn right towards the village. You go under the bridge and you come at a wide water, "t Zwet". Here you turn left and you go straight on and cross the lake De Poel. The locks Poelsluis to the Zaan are a little to the left from kayak center Arjan Bloem and the restaurant De Hofjes. At the locks are good kayak piers where you can portage to De Zaan. You turn right on De Zaan and when you see the trees of the island Bloemendaal you head left to the starting point.
Downloadable GPS-track 22.5 km: Zaan.
GPS N 52.5116 E 4.7855
The former soap mill De Adelaar. It now houses the main office of Vanilia fashion.
Zaanse Schans
Zaandijk.
Zaandijk.
Mill at the bridge Julianabrug.
It carries the name "Bleke Dood" meaning pale death. This is the oldest still existing upright mill and it dates from 1656.
Houseboats in the Braaksloot.
Mill Hercules. There is a portage point with kayak piers to the Kalverpolder.
Zaanse Schans.
Zaanse Schans.
Portage point between the Wormerringvaart and the polder Wormer.
I took a wrong turn and ended up in this dead-end canal. Here I found this sheep stuck in the mud. I had to get into the water to pull out his legs one by one and help the poor sheep on the side. He looked very grateful when I paddled away.
Nice day for a swim...
