The Wieden

Kayak rentals 

The Wieden is a preserved area of 350 square miles in the northwestern part of the province Overijssel. It is situated just south of the Weerribben. There are woods, reedlands, pastures and lots of water. The area is very suitabele for exploration by kayak. It is administered by Natuurmonumenten. Natuumonumenten has a visitors center near St.Jansklooster. There is a good map available of the area scaled  1:25,000. It is advisable to buy this map when you're planning to explore the area by kayak. The area is very large, and it's likely you want to come back after your first visit. The map is available at the ANWB, VVV Tourist Information, the visitors center of Natuurmonumenten and the visitors center of Staatsbosbeheer near campsite De Kluft at Ossenzijl. The map shows 4 kayak routes varying in length from 7 to 12 km. They are marked by numbered poles. The map is at some points not up to date. I found out that the connection between the lake Zuideindiger and Belterwijde is nu longer in use. The bridge Kettingbrug is no longer there. It is difficult to take the kayak out of the water. 

In the middle of the area is a lake. This lake as split by a dike into a northern part named Beulakerwijde, and a southern part named Belterwijde. The Belterwijde is split by a dike in a western and an eastern part. These three lakes are rather large. Unexperienced kayakers should keep the lee side on a windy day. The lakes are not very deep. Bigger yachts must follow the channel marked by buoys.

I like to go here to be on the water for a whole day. I'll describe a trip of 29 km. You'll pass the famous village Giethoorn and see every part of the preserved area including a few kilometers on the Beulakerwijde. Especially if it's a quiet day the last kilometers on the lake with a setting sun are superb.

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/netherlands/st.-jansklooster/383669935

Starting point near St. Jansklooster (GPS lat. 52.691350, lon. 6.001050)

Starting point is near the visitors center of Natuurmunumenten. Leave the N762 opposite  St.Jansklooster to the north. About 1 km passed the visitors center you turn right on the Oude Beulakerweg. At the end of the narrow road you reach the water. 

Starting point Zwartsluis (GPS lat. 52.655200, lon. 6.057400)

Leave highway A28 between Zwolle and Meppel at the exit 22 Hasselt. Follow the N377 and in Hasselt you turn right on the N331. After the center of Zwartsluis you turn right on the roundabout into the Westeinde and then turn left into the Stroombeek. You keep following the main road. Outside the town you keep going straight on and follow the bends until you see the canal on your right. This is a mooring place of more than 1 km length. The sides are very low, so here you can start your trip. The road through Belt-Schultsloot is closed for cars, so if you come from the north you'll have to make a detour.

From the starting point near St. Jansklooster you can make a trip of 29 km.  You have to paddle across the Beulakerwijde for 3 km, so it is advisable to make this trip on a quiet day or be prepared for waves. From the starting point you go to the right, and you come at the Beulakerwijde. Straight ahead you see the churchtower of St.Jansklooster. On the lake this is a handy landmark. You set course  towards the land-point. You pass the fish-traps and continue and follow the shore or make a shortcut straight east from here. The buoys mark a channel from north to south. At the south side there is a bridge (Ronduite). You follow the canal under the bridge and turn right again. After the first turn you'll see the churchtower of St.Jansklooster straight ahead. After the landpoint you follow the left shore. In the far end on the south side you enter the canal marked 2B. When the canal splits you turn right. There are many bends here. Finally you come at a small lake named Vossebelt. Go straight across and enter the canal. After a sharp bend to the right and another one to the left you come at the triangular lake named Dirkswijde. Keep the left side and enter the canal. After  a bridge you come at a bigger canal. You go across and enter the lake Kleine Belterwijde. Just after the harbour you turn right before the campsite. Follow the canal through the village named Belt Schutsloot. After 2 km the canal comes to the south side of the Belterwijde. You turn right. After you passed a bridge you come at a big canal. Turn right and left again. This is a straight canal. After almost 2 km you turn left into the Kerkgracht. Keep going straight on until you come at a bridge. Turn left just after the bridge.After a short distance you turn right again. There is a sign on the side directing towards Giethoorn. This canal is named Molengracht. After 1 km you turn right. Here a sign directs towards Bovenwijde. Follow the canal (right bend, left bend, then straight on) until you come at the Bovenwijde. Here you turn left and enter the canal into Giethoorn. There's one way traffic here (only from south to north). On a quiet day it is very beautiful to paddle all the way through the village, but mind the unexperienced tourists with the rented boats. On a busy day it is dangerous to go here by kayak! After you entered Giethoorn you come at the main canal (Dorpsgracht). You turn right to the north. At the church (not a big one, but you'll see it when you come to it) you turn left. This is a long straight canal. When you come at a big canal, you pass it and continue straight on. Follow the canal (Cornelisgracht). Turn left when you come at the village Dwarsgracht. At the end of the canal (1.5 km) you come at the Beulakerwijde. From here you set course towards the churchtower of St. Jansklooster. There are two islands on your right hand. After you passed the first one you turn to the right and go between the islands. Then turn left so that you have the second island on you left hand. The starting point where you want to go is in the farthest corner. To get there you set course a little to the right away from the island. The lake is very shallow here. The waterplants grow out of the water at some places. In the farthest corner you'll recognize the canal where you started the trip.

Passing Jonen you can go north to the Giethoornse Meer, and from there sail to the Weerribben. From Zuideinde you can go north to Giethoorn.

In the early morning of September 17, 2003 I crossed the Beulakerwijde from "De Blauwe Hand" towards Dwarsgracht. Course 300 degrees just a little to the right of the channel.

A lot more fog at November 8, 2009 on the Beulakerwijde

Belt-Schutsloot

Between Dwarsgracht and Giethoorn.

Beulakerwijde.

Dwarsgracht

Dwarsgracht

Zwartsluis

Near Belt-Schutsloot

Near Belt-Schutsloot

Zuideinde, the southern part of Giethoorn.