Kromme Rijn

A round trip on the Langbroekerwetering, Cothergrift and Kromme Rijn between Odijk and Cothen of 18.5 km. It is advisable to make tris trip clockwise as there is  more current on the Kromme Rijn than there is on the Langbroekerwetering.  It is not difficult to paddle against the current, but especially where the river is narrow like between Odijk and Werkhoven, it certainly slows you down.

What some people do is paddle downstream for a larger distance and then take the bus back. There is a busline between Wijk bij Duurstede and Utrecht (line 241). The bus goes from busstation Streek (a 15 minutes walk from the Oudegracht) passing Bunnik, Odijk, Werkhoven and Cothen to the Steenstraat in the center of Wijk bij Duurstede. It is not easy to get the kayak into the water at the beginning of the Kromme Rijn in Wijk bij Duurstede because the sides are rather high. The parking place at hte beginning of the river is in the blue zone. With a parking disc you may park here for a maximum of two hours, so this is of no use for a daytrip. Alternative is to start at the weir of Cothen. The bus-stop is near the roundabout on the main road.

This route is part of the kayak route between Muiden to Wijk bij Duurstede. More information at my pages Utrecht and Vecht.

Kayak rentals: Wijntje Kanoverhuur, Singel 40, 3984 NZ Odijk. Phone: 030-6564350.

GPS Odijk: Lat. 52.050900, Lon. 5.245000.

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/nl/odijk/194125465969888786

History

In the past the main stream of the Rhine (Rijn) was from Wijk bij Duurstede to the north towards Utrecht. From there it went west (the present Oude Rijn). If formed the northern boundary of the Roman Empire. In the year 1122 a dam was made so that the main current changed to the west. The Kromme Rijn was of great importance for transporting goods towards Utrecht. In 1126 the Langbroekerwetering was made for cultivation of the peat between the Kromme Rijn and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. In 1635 the Cothergrift was made to make a faster connection to Utrecht. Because of the many bridges the boats were towed by manpower. The canal is rather narrow so boats were rather small. Because of the weirs (no locks) the canal is no longer accessible for boats. Only kayaks can go there. There are some facilities: poles with a white top indicate where you can go to the side and on the Cothergrift there even is a kayak-pier. But the weirs form obstacles that require some dexterity. 

To the starting-point Odijk: Exit the highway A12 between Utrecht and Arnhem at exit 19 towards Wijk bij Duurstede. Turn left at Odijk. The road goes around the village. After a bridge turn right on the Rijnseweg in the direction Langbroek. After the second bump in the road you see the starting-point on your right. 

To the starting-point near Werkhoven: Exit the highway A12 between Utrecht and Arnhem at exit 19 towards Wijk bij Duurstede. After you passed Werkhoven you turn right in the direction Culemborg and then turn left again on the parallel-road. A sign indicates only local traffic is allowed here, but you're local traffic now. Turn right and you'll see the starting-point just acoss the bridge on your left.

From the starting-point Odijk you go to the left. After a short distance you come at a weir. This is the most difficult one in the trip. Many plants make it difficult to go to the side. After a while you see on your right Castle Sterkenburg. It is privately owned and not open to the public. Before you come to Langbroek you pass another weir. In Langbroek you turn right on the Cothergrift. Here's another weir. When you come at the Kromme Rijn it is 3 km to the left towards Wijk bij Duurstede. For the round-trip you turn right under the bridge. You come at the weir of Cothen. There are good kayak-piers here. About 2 km to the north you can turn left following a big bend in the river or go straight on taking a short-cut. About halfway the shortcut you see a kayak-pier on your left. This is the alternative starting-point. A little further the river and the shortcut join. About 2 km further you come at another weir near Werkhoven. Then you see on your right the castle Beverweerd. It is privately owned by an organization for vegetarians. They are building appartments in it for elderly vegetarians. After the woods the river meanders throught the meadows and you return to Odijk. You see the starting-point on your right. 

Starting-point at Odijk where the Langbroekerwetering flows into the Kromme Rijn.

Castle Sterkenburg.

Cothergrift with the church of Langbroek.

Castle Beverweerd