Appingedam

Distance Wirdum to Delfzijl 10 km. Round-trip (ANWB Gr-5) 19 km. Combined 27 km.

Kayak rentals at Wirdumerklap near Wirdum, phone 0596-572335. Also terrace along the canal and mini camping.

Detailed map "Kanokaart van Groningen" and desciption of the route ANWB number Gr-5 is available here.

GPS Wirdumerklap: Lat. 53.3131, Lon. 6.7855  GPS Schildmeer: Lat. 53.6667, Lon. 6.8289.

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/nl/wirdum/455125148116950863

In the north-easternmost part of the Netherlands leads the canal Damsterdiep from Groningen towards Delfzijl. The most beautiful part is between Wirdum and Appingedam. A very suitable starting point is at kayak center Wirdumerklap near Wirdum. To get here you take the N41 from Groningen towards Delfzijl. Opposite the exit Wirdum you turn right. You go across the narrow bridge and turn right again.

The Damsterdiep and most other canals in this area were tidal creeks that  existed some 3000 years ago. That is why there are so many bends. The first people who lived in the area made hills to build their houses on. Much later dikes were built and the creeks were canalized. The medieval town Appingedam is only 5 km from Wirdum. Here you can pass the town trought the northern or southern canal. The ancient part famous for the hanging kitchens is on the northern canal.

Delfzijl

After you passed Appingedam you can continue toward the end of the canal in Delfzijl. Although it's a nice trip, there's nothing historical to be seen here. Just before you enter the town you pass the rowing club of Delfzijl and after a bend to the left there is a kayak pier with picnic-table. At the end of the Damsterdiep you can turn left into the moat. At the end there is a fountain.

Round trip to the north

In the center of Appingedam you can take a side-canal to the north. You come at a T-junction and here you turn left and go under a railroad bridge. Follow the canal into the area named Fivelingo. As you proceed you can see the sides of the canal become higher. The land is shaped like a plate. The lowest part is in the center and towards the coast the land lies higher. After 4 km you come at a bridge. You turn left just before the bridge. Once there were signs on every intersection, but many are damages of disappeared (like the one on this intersection). At the next T-junction you can turn left towards Krewerd, but this is a dead end, so you turn right. From here on you keep turning left. There is a pier and a picnic table where the canal gets near powerlines. You can see them from a distance. About 1.5 km further on you pass the village Oosterwijtwerd. There is a restaurant with terrace along the canal. From here is is 2.5 km towards the Damsterdiep. Here you turn right to return to Wirdumerklap.

Schildmeer

The Schildmeer is about 3 km south of Appingedam following the Groeve. About halfway you'll have to cross the Eemskanaal. There are locks on both sides (Groevesluizen), but there are good kayak piers so you can carry the kayak passed the locks. 

Damsterdiep between Wirdum and Appingedam on a early morning in April. 

Damsterdiep near Appingedam 

Appingedam

The famous hanging kitchens of Appingedam.

Birds on a high voltage tower along the Groeve.

Schildmeer

Schildmeer

Marina at the Schildmeer.