Nieuwkoopse Plassen (Noorden) 

From Noorden, the red route combined with yellow route (as described below) is about 16 km.

Kayak-rentals

GPS Noorden: Lat. 52.1642, Lon. 4.8257 

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/netherlands/noorden/243401445

There are two kayak-routes in the area. The red one starts from Noorden and the yellow one from Nieuwkoop. They are both 8.5 km in length or they can be combined to a 16 km trip. On this map the numbered signs of the so called electroroutes are marked.

The Nieuwkoopse Plassen exist of a large area of moors with many small canals. There are two larger lakes: the Noordeinderplas north of Nieuwkoop and the Zuideinderplas south of Nieuwkoop. Most major canals are open to public, some smaller canals are closed. Also the area north of Noorden is closed to the public.  The whole area is owned by Natuurmonumenten, an organization that protects nature-areas with a special value. There are two kayak routes in the area. The red one starts in Noorden, the yellow one in Nieuwkoop. The length is 8.5 km each and about 16 km combined. The route is marked with numbered signs. The signs are not always easy to find, so a map of the area is very handy. A bit confusing is that there are also marked routes for boats with electric engine, named electro route. They also have a red and a yellow route and for a great part they are similar to the kayak route. The signs for electroroute are numbered arrows pointing the direction.

A good starting point for the red route is opposite the church of Noorden. You can also rent a kayak here at Nikano. Near this place you find a restaurant, a super market and a money machine. A detailed map of the area is available for free at the kayak rentals or the tourist information VVV in Nieuwkoop. It is in Dutch only, but it is the map that matters. It is called "Vaarroutekaart voor elektroboten in het Nieuwkoops Plassengebied" in the series "Groene Hart". You can see the electroroutes on the map. It seems that maps with the marked kayak routes don't exist. They didn't have them at the VVV in Nieuwkoop. To enjoy nature at its best avoid busy days like sunny Sunday afternoons, Whitsuntide etc.

It was several years ago when I was in the area, so it was high time for an update of the website with some new photos. So Friday May 12, 2006 it was beautiful weather and I started in Noorden for a combined (red and yellow) electroroute-trip by kayak. Here's a description of the route: You paddle south and follow the red electroroute signs 1 to 7. At 7 you go straight on in stead of turning right and headfor arrow 14 of the yellow electroroute. At arrow 14 you turn right and follow the canal towards the lake Noordeinderplas. At the lake you turn left and head towards the church towers of Nieuwkoop. There was hardly any wind when I was there so paddling on the lake was very relaxed. There can be nasty waves if it's a windy day. When you approach Nieuwkoop you enter the canal left of the house-boats. This is where you find arrow 1 of the yellow route. You keep behind the houses of Nieuwkoop until you come at arrow 3. Then you turn left on the small lake and enter the canal. In the distance you see a watertower which is called "Pietje Potlood" (potlood means pencil), because of its shape. This canal connects to the Kleine Polder. This is a small lake divided from the Zuideinderplas by a dike with a bridge. Turn left and follow the arrows 6 to 14. At 14 you don't turn left, but go straight on. Follow the bends of the canal until you come at the red arrow 7. This is where you turn left and follow the red arrows to the starting point in Noorden.

The church of Noorden in the background

Nieuwkoop

 The Kleine Polder is a small lake divided from the Zuideinderplas by a dike with a bridge.

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