kayak route Zwolle

A trip around Zwolle on the Overijsselse Vecht and Zwarte Water of 21 km.

The GPS-track is 23 km. because of some detours.
The locks at Berkum usually are open during the summer. If the locks are closed, it is likely the weir just west of the center of Zwolle is closed too. You can not carry the kayak passed the weir as the sides are too high to get out.

Kayak rentals.

Hiawatha Actief, pier Potgietersingel, Zwolle. Tel.: 038-3035526.
Dijkmoment Zwolle, Hessenweg 14B, 8028 PA Zwolle. Tel.: 06-24332462.

Starting point is at the football stadion of PEC Zwolle.

If there is no event you can park here at low cost. The starting point is just left of the barrier. The end of the route is at windmill De Passiebloem at the Vondelkade. There is a tunnel for bikes under the main road. It's a 500 meter walk back to the starting point. You can also drive your car to the arrival point. GPS: Vondelkade 90.

To the starting point:

From highway A28 take exit 20 south (Raalte) and at the second traffic lights you turn left. Just after the intersection you see the foolbalstadium on your right. This is the starting point. There is a low side at the end of the canal where you can start your trip.

From the starting point you follow the Nieuwe Vecht. The locks near Berkum are usually open. If there is high water level on the Vecht the locks may be closed. If so the high water barrier in Zwolle also may be closed. Then you can't make a round trip. Portage passed the locks is possible. You come at a small lake, the Berkumerkolk. Keep to the left and turn left on the Vecht. Usually there is little current. When you come at the canal Zwarte Water, you turn sharp left towards Zwolle. There are a few small lakes on your left, the Noorderkolk. They have only one entrance and they are not connected. So you keep on the Zwarte Water. At the end of the woods Westerveldse Bos you can enter the Westerveldse Kolk on your left. On the corner you can go to the side, but beware of the sharp stones. You head further south and pass two bridges. Then you turn left. After the bridge of highway A28 there is a high water barrier. This weir is only closed at extremely high water. A little further I turned right passed the marina on the Stadsgracht around the city center (GPS-track). Then I turned left on the Thorbeckegracht through the city center. Next I turned right on the Achtergracht. Then I turned left on the Almelose Kanaal. A little further you turn left at the former water tower. The locks are open. At the end of the canal you come at windmill De Passiebloem. There is a low side and a nice field. You carry the kayak 500 meters through the tunnel for bikes to the starting point.