Sneek

1. Round trip north of Sneek from Scharnegoutum passing Boazum and Rien 23 km.

2. Round trip passing IJlst and the lakes Zwarte Brekken 16 km.

The waters around Sneek can be very busy in the summer time. The Prinses Margriet kanaal passes through the Sneekermeer and is frequented by cargo boats. The Sneekermeer is very popular for watersports and it can be crowded by motoryachts and sailing yachts. It is advisable to keep to the sides and be prepared to meet some bumpy water. Still the area is very nice for kayaking. The canals north of Sneek are quiet, and to the south passing IJlst is not much trouble either. 

Canoe rentals:

Watergate of Sneek

1. Round trip north of Sneek from Scharnegoutum passing Boazum and Rien 23 km.

Starting point at the dead-end road Zwettewei near the bridge in Schrnegoutum. Lat. 53.0589, Lon. 5.6804.

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/nl/scharnegoutum/831128942269789260

Starting point Scharnegoutum: Take the beltway north around Sneek. At the roundabout (N354 Scharnegoutum) exit north. At Scharnegoutum keep heading north at the roundabout and then take the first left. Follow the bend to the left and at the end of the road you can launch your kayak.

From Scharnegoutum head north for 2.5 km. Then turn left and follow the bends towards Boazum. There is a kayak pier on your right when you enter the village. Then follow the bend to the left and go under the railroad bridge. Keep following the canal to the T-junction at the end. This is a wider canal and you turn left. You pass the villages Rien with the iron lift-bridge and at Roodhuis you go under a bridge just outside the village. Further on you pass through Tirns and the you see a reat American windmill on your left. Follow the canal to the center of Sneek. Here you can turn left, and then left again under the Laatste Stuiverbrug, or make a detour around the city center where you can see the famous Watergate. The canal through the city center is closed.

Sneeker Trekvaart

Rien

Franekervaart

Franekervaart

2. Round trip passing IJlst and the lakes Zwarte Brekken 16 km.

Starting point at the Leeuwarderkade in Sneek: Lat. 53.097, Lon. 5.6684

Mapmyride: http://beta.mapmyride.com/routes/detail/24746404/

Starting point Sneek: Take the beltway north around Sneek. At the roundabout (N354 Scharnegoutum) exit south towards the center. At the next roundabout turn right on the Berkenlaan. Then just before the bridge you turn right on the Leeuwarderkade. This is a dead end. At the end there is a free parking place. There are low sides where you easily can launch your kayak.

Round trip to IJlst 16 km: From the Leeuwarderkade you turn left towards the center. After the bridge named Laatste Stuiverbrug you turn right at the T-junction. Follow the canal until you see the watergate on your left. You can go under it and you'll find a kayak pier on your left. You turn right on the Geeuw and pass over the aqueduct. In Ijlst there is a kayak pier on your right just before the bridge. If yu walk a little furhter along the canal you come at the Tourist Information where the have wc and shower facilities. After the bridge you turn left at the T-junction. You pass the narrow canal through the center of IJlst. Then take the second canal to the left. Follow the bends and take the second canal to the left. Head straight on passed the Zwarte brekken. Across the lake you take the canal where you see the highway straight ahead. Follow the canal towards the Haukesloot. this is a wide canal. Turn left towards Sneek and follow the main canal towards the center. Then turn right under the Laatse Stuiverbrug and return to the starting point. 

IJlst

The former ice-skate factory Frisia in IJlst

Wijnsloot near IJlst