Medemblik
Starting point near Onderdijk or near Opperdoes. The distance from starting point Onderdijk to Medemblik across the Grote Vliet is 4 km. From Medemblik to Opperdoes is 2 km. A round trip passing Oostwoud, Midwoud, Twisk, Medemblik and Onderdijk is 23.5 km. Kayak rentals near the locks in Zwaagdijk-Oost at Kanoverhuur Elf (this is 3.5 km from the starting point, so both ways 7 km extra. There are kayak-piers at the locks. But you can also operate them yourself. There is a switchboard with explanation (in Dutch only). From there you go north passing Wervershoof. After you went across the aqueduct you come at the round-trip.
The main junctions are numbered (see map). There are signs directing towards the numbered junctions. Here you find maps of the area (not very detailed). I did not find the sign of junction 9. Also from Opperdoes they lack directions towards junction 9. See the map below for details about the canals at Opperdoes.
Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/netherlands/onderdijk/71358020
To the starting-point near Onderdijk. GPS: Lat 52.738100, Lon 5.133700
From highway A7, take exit 11 towards Medemblik. Just before Medemblik you turn right on the N240 in the direction Andijk and Enkhuizen. Then after 4 km you turn left towards Onderdijk. Just before the bridge you see a parking-area on your right. This is the starting-point. There also is a picnic-table and a boat slope.
To the starting-point near Opperdoes. GPS: Lat 52.755100, Lon 5.088000
From highway A7, take exit 11 towards Medemblik. Just before Medemblik you turn right on the N240 in the direction Andijk and Enkhuizen. At the roundabout you turn right and after a short distance you take the first street to the left. After 500 meters you see the starting point at the picnic-table on your left. There is a good kayak-pier.
Round trip of 23.5 km.
From the starting point you to the right towards junction 4. Here you turn right into the Egboetswater. After a short distance you see a recreation area on your left (no facilities). Here you turn right passing the village Oostwoud. After a bridge you come at a T-junction. Here you turn right. To the left you go to Midwoud where you'll find after 0.5 km a snackbar and a small supermarket (Spar). Then you come at a long straight canal along the railroad of a steam-train. Then you turn right twice. The canal makes a big bend to the left then a sharp bend to the right. You pass the first houses of Twisk and then you go left under a bridge. You go in a northern direction. At a T-junction you turn left and then you come at junction 5, where you turn right. The Noorderkogger goes along a main-road and you see a dike behind it. The dike separates West-Friesland from the polder Wieringermeer. At junction 6 you can make a small detour passing Opperdoes or you go straight on towards junction 7. At junction 7 you go east. When you see the locks Overlekersluis on your left you can either turn right on the wide canal where the shipwharfs are or go straight on. In the center there are two side-canals: the first one is a dead end at windmill De Herder, the second canal named Achterom is a dead end in the center of Medemblik. You can pass the locks to the harbour and follow the canal that goes around the center. It makes a sharp bend to the right and you go straight on passing the Steam-engine museum towards the lake Grote Vliet. At Onderdijk you can make a small detour passing the houses (see photo below). From the lake you see a bridge in the distance (left of the windmill). This is the starting point.
Round trip to Opperdoes (12 km).
From the starting point you go under the bridge and cross the Grote Vliet. You can make a small detour passing Onderdijk. After the lake you go straight on and on your right you see the steam-engine museum. There is a kayak-pier and even if the museum is closed it is interesting to see some big old rusty steam-engines that are placed outside. If you have the right equipment for big water you can carry the kayak across the dike here and paddle on the IJsselmeer. On the other side there is no kayak pier. There are stones against the dike, but if there are no big waves you can manage to step in. For this trip you go further north. As I mentioned, I could not find junction 9. There are several side-canals, but there is no sign. When you see the locks on your right you turn left on the wide canal where the ship wharfs are. At the locks Overlekersluis you turn left. The next junction is number 7. Here you go straight on towards junction 8 in Opperdoes. At junction 8 you go straight on, follow the bends until the T-junction. Here you turn right and follow the two bend to the left. At the next junction you go straight on out of the village. At the next junction you turn left. Then after a culvert you come at an intersection. On your left you see a kayak-pier. This is the starting point Opperdoes. You go straight on towards Medemblik. When you are in Medemblik you follow the sharp bend to the right and then turn left under the white wooden bridge. Then you return on the main canal and you turn right towards the starting point across the lake.
Tip: in Opperdoes you can visit bee-keepery De Bijenstal. There is a kayak-pier (also rentals of electro-boats).
Onderdijk.
Steam-engine museum in the pumping-station. Kayak pier available. You can carry the kayak across the dike towards the IJsselmeer. There are big stones against the dike, but if the water is calm and if you're a bit handy in it you can do it.
Dead end canal just north of the city center of Medemblik near windmill De Herder. Nice place for a break. There is a bench in the park and a few times a day a steam-train passes by.
Opperdoes is worth visiting.
The canal south of Opperdoes leading back to Medemblik.
Approaching thunderstorm over Onderdijk seen from the Grote Vliet (July 22, 2006).