Groningen

Kayak-rentals: 

1. Molenrij: Camping De Horizon, Haven 32-34, 9977 RZ Molenrij.
2. Winsum: Marenland, Winsumerdiep 6, Phone: 0595-442750. E-mail info@marenland.nl
3. Zoutkamp: Kanocamping 't Ol Gat on the Hunsingokanaal, Phone: 0595-401926 or 06-20969370.

Kanaal Mensingeweer-Baflo

GPS: 

In Groningen kayak-facilities all over the province are very good. There are many signs directing to the next village and there are many kayak-piers, often with picnic-tables nearby. The altitude of Groningen is in a way shaped like a bowl. The more you go to the north, the higher the land is. As the canals all have the same water-level, the sides in the north are higher. Groningen is thinly populated and it mainly consists of farmland. It is known for the stately landscapes, the silence, the birdlife and old houses in the villages. Cor van Loenen captures the beauty of the landscapes in his oil paintings.

1. Molenrij - Mensingeweer - Schouwerzijl - Warfhuizen - Leens - Molenrij (24 km).

I chose Molenrij as starting-point of my first canoe-trip in the province Groningen. It is situated in the north. Take the N361 (Groningen - Dokkum) and exit at the sign Kloosterburen. Molenrij is next to Kloosterburen. At the main road in the village there is a sign directing to De Horizon. There is a small harbor with a public kayak-pier and parking space. The narrow road ends at De Horizon where you can rent kayaks. There is a small camping-ground. From Molenrij turn left twice and follow the main canal towards Wehe-Den Hoorn. Continue 1 mile and turn left just before a bridge in the direction Mensingeweer. At the end of the canal you can turn left to the nearby Winsum, but I turned right towards Schouwerzijl. Just before this canal comes to the Reitdiep. I took a brake at the kayak-pier  at the locks. At the Reitdiep you turn right and after a short distance you turn right again. Now you pass the village Schouwerzijl. Continue and take the first canal left towards Warfhuizen. At the end of the canal turn right. When you come to a field with large poplars along the canal, you have completed the circle. Here you turn left towards Molenrij.  

2. Onderdendam - Winsum - Mensingeweer - Baflo - Onderdendam (21 km).

A good starting point is at the kayak rentals Marenland in Winsum. There is a railway-station in Winsum so you can easily reach it by train from Groningen (city). On May 18, 2007 I made this round trip. As there was a strong wind from the west, I chose to start in Onderdendam, so I had the first part of the trip a head wind. In Onderdendam there is a good kayak pier and a small parking place just near  the bridge across the Winsumerdiep. From there it is 4 km to Winsum, where you can take a break and have coffee or lunch on the terrace of Marenland. The you continue west and turn right towards the beautiful Mensingeweer. After Mensingeweer you turn right again then you keep going straight on passing Baflo until you return in Onderdendam.

Zoutkamp

From Zoutkamp you can go to the Lauwersmeer. The locks in the Reitdiep and the Hunsingokanaal (direction Ulrum) are open. More information on the page Lauwersmeer.

Mensingeweer

Between Winsum and Mensingeweer

Rasquerdermaa near Baflo

Onderdendam

Onderdendam

Windmill just north of Onderdendam