Total distance 2 x 15 km. = 30 km.
Use of a canoe cart is recommended.1. Route of 20 km (7 portages) from the Zuiderpark in Rotterdam.
2. Round trip of 13.4 km. (5 portages + locks) from the Zuidpolder, Barendrecht.
Kayak rentals:
- Barendrecht: Recreation Farm De Kleine Duiker, Barendrechtseweg 511, 2991 SH Barendrecht.
To the starting point at the Zuiderpark in Rotterdam:
Exit the southern belt-way A15 at exit U28 in the direction S102 Charlois.Head north on the Groene Kruisweg. After a gas-station you turn right at traffic-lights in the direction S124.
Head east on the Oldegaarde. At the traffic-lights you go straight on, and then after 500 meters you turn left. It's a dead-end road and there are no direction signs. At the end of the road you can park and take the kayak to the lake on your right.
Trip of about 20 km. from the Zuiderpark to the dike Essendijk.
There is a kayak-pier at the starting point, but there are low sides everywhere around the lake, so you can launch your kayak everywhere. You head left towards the canal and then turn right. On your left there is a public toilet. It's free, but bring your own toilet-paper as it often runs out. At the next junction you turn right. After a short distance you come at the first portage point. A little further you come at the second portage point. You keep following the canal. After a bend to the right you come at the locks. Just press the button and when there's a green light you can enter the locks. There are floating piers on the side where you can hold on. The locks oparate automatically, so you just wait till it's ready and you get a green light to navigate out of the locks. After the locks you turn left. Continue across the park Zuidelijk Randpark. You pass a windmill, and a little further the canal makes a bend to the left. You pass under the highway A15 and a railroad-line. The canal runs along the A15 until you reach the polder Koedood. The signs suggest you can either turn left of right here, but you must turn left. After a short distance you see locks on your left. They are also self-service. You can go either straight on till the canal ends at the Essendijk, or pass the locks for a trip on the Koedoodseplas. After some distance you can portage between both waterways at a small weir. But you have to find you way through the reed and stenging nettles.After this you return to the starting point. At the Zuiderpark you can navigate a small round around the Avontureneiland (Adventure Island).
GPS:
Zuiderpark, Rotterdam: N 51.8778 E 4.4860.
Zuidpolder, Barendrecht: N 51.8397 E 4.5367.
Downloadable GPS-track 20 km: Rhoon20km.gpx from the Zuiderpark to the Essendijk in Rhoon and back.
Zuiderpark.
Zuiderpark.
At the portage place Slinge.
Self service locks: press the button and wait...
If two red lights are on, the the locks are out of service.
Inscription "Wat hebben water en ik gemeen?" means "What do water and I have in common?"
Passage under highway A15 and railroad.
Along highway A15.
District Portland.
District Portland.
Former river Koedood.
Round trip of 13.4 km. (5 portages + locks) from the Zuidpolder, Barendrecht.
Downloadable GPS-track 13.4 km: Barendrecht.gpx from Barendrecht to the end of Koedood.
To the starting point Zuidpolder near Barendrecht.
Exit the A29 at exit 20 Barendrecht. At the traffic lights you turn left on the Kilweg. At the second roundabout you turn right on the 3rd Barendrechtseweg. Turn left on the parking. Drive to the end of the second field. From here you carry the kayak on the bike road to the right. You can launch the kayak opposite the kayak rental, or further on at the kayak pier. A canoe cart would come in handy here.Alternative starting point at the Kilpad.
Exit the A29 at exit 20 Barendrecht. At the traffic lights you turn right on the Kilweg. At the roundabout you take the third exit towards Waterkant. Just after the roundabout you turn left twice. After 600 meters this becomes a bike-road, but just after the viaduct you turn right on the Tunnelpad. There is a parking area on the left. The kayak pier is behind the bushes.Round trip of 13.4 km. (from kayak rental place De Kleine Duiker).
From the starting point you go to the left under the viaduct of the A29. After a short distance the canal makes a bend to the left and then dead-ends. On your right is a kayak pier. You can portage to the Koedood or to the Gaatkensplas. For this route (GPS-track) you go to the Gaatkensplas. The lake becomes wider and bends to the right. Here you turn right between the round flats. At the end you can go to the side at the Havenhoofd. There are shops and restaurants. Then turn left passed the Japanese restaurant Mizumi. You come at the island Waddenring and you turn right to go around it. On the other side you see a kayak pier on your right. Here you portage across the high dike to the Koedoodseplas. You head west passed th flats and houses. At the end you turn left passed the locks. You can operate them by pressing the button and wait for the green light. This can take some time, but you can also portage here. On the other side you cross the Koedood to a small lake. There is a kayak pier and a nice bench. From here you return on the Koedood and turn right. After two portages you turn left just before a pumping station. At the end of the canal you portage to the canal Groote Duiker and you return to the starting point.
Zuiderhavenkerk.
Passage under highway A29.
Portage point to the Gaatkensplas.
Along the Gaatkensplas.
Havenhoofd. There are shops and restaurants.
Waddenring.
Koedoodseplas.
Locks to the Koedood. To operate press the button. Portage is also possible.
Kayak pier at the Koedood opposite the locks.
The Koedood: portage point at the Essendijk.
