A trip on the river Dommel from Halder to teh weir in Den Bosch and back 10 km.
Kayak rentals:
- 22 Shades Of Blue, Tramkade 26, Den Bosch.
From the kayak pier in Halder to the weir in Den Bosch is 5 km. But if you want to navigate all the canals around the city center it can add up.
I made a GPS-track of 25 km. including a trip on the Essche Stroom.
Usually there's little current, but after a period of heavy rainfall river conditions may change.
There is a portage point at the weir. It's also used by members of
the rowing-club. There are no kayak-piers in and around the city.
All the piers are ment to be used by canal-boats. One exception is
at the bridge across the Zuid Willemsvaart. Here you find "De
Camping Koffietent".
Navigation on the underground canals of the inner city is prohibited.
From late April till the end of October you can see the underground canals by taking a tour on a sight-seeing boat.
To the starting point Halder:
Exit highway A2 at exit 24 Vught. Turn left in the direction St. Michielsgestel. After 1 km. you turn left to Halder. You drive along the river Dommel passed the pier with boats. When the road makes a bend to the right there is a kayak pier after the barrier across the unpaved road to the left. There is limited parking space. Groups can park across the main road Vughterweg (400 meters). There is no kayak pier at the Esschestroom.To Den Bosch:
Turn left on the Dommel. About halfway you pass under the highway A2. There is a kayak pier at the pumping station. Behind the dike is the nature area Bossche Broek. There's no access to the lake PTT-plas behind it. The river becomes wider when you approach Den Bosch. After the footferry you keep right and follow the Singelgracht and pass a mooring place for canal boats. At the end there are locks with an entrance to the underground canals Binnendieze. You return the same way and before the footferry you turn right. There is a weir at the bridge Vughterbrug. Avoid the chute and go to the side on the left. You can portage passed the weir. On the other side is a large pier that's also used by rowers. You turn right and navigate along the city center.You pass a restaurant with a terrace. Unfortunately the mooring places are for canalboats only. At the next intersection you can turn right twice on the dead-end canal. Then you can take a look on the Binnendieze at a bridge on the left. You may not enter the canal. You turn back and at the main canal you turn right on the Zuid Willemsvaart. At a bridge there is "De Camping Koffietent", a neigbourhood meeting place. There is a kayak pier and you're welcome here. If open, you can have a coffee, preferrably in your own mug. You can navigate on the Zuid Willemsvaart as far as the locks. No portage facilities here.< br/> You turn back and after the marina you go under a bridge and turn right on the Aa. You pass the citadel and the rowing club "De Hertog". You can navigate around the citadel en then along the city wall. I turned back after the first bends, but if you continue you come at the new Maximakanaal after 5 km. The Aa continues after the Maximakanaal, but you have to portage twice. There are kayak-piers. You return the same way. After the citadel you turn sharp left. Beware of oncoming boats, so take a wide bend. Then you turn right towards the weir.
You may not navigate on the Drongelens Kanaal.
Essche Stroom
Near Halderen you can navigate the side river Essche Stroom. The meanders have been restored according to their original course. So there are many bends, and this is a very beautiful piece of nature reserve. There are no moorings anywhere. You can cruise 3.7 km to the weir.
GPS Halder: N. 51.6495 E. 5.3253
Downloadable GPS-track (25.2 km): DenBosch.gpx.
There's no kayak pier at the recommended parking place along the
Esschestroom.
It is 400 meters away from the kayak-pier in Halder.
Kayak pier at the starting point Halder.
River Dommel.
Approaching Den Bosch.
Den Bosch.
Locks to the Binnendieze at the end of the Singelgracht. Access is prohibited.
Landing stage for canal boats at the Singelgracht.
Portage place at the weir under the Vughterbrug. Avoid the chute.
The Wilhelminabrug connects the railway station to the city center.
The bridge was built in 1954. It is the third bridge on this location.
Under the bridge of the Smalle Haven you can take a look to the Binnendieze. You may not enter the canal.
Zuid Willemsvaart.
"De Camping Koffietent" at the Zuid Willemsvaart. Meeting point at the former bridge keeper's house.
There is a kayak pier and you can have a coffee here. If possible bring your own mug.
Entrance to the citadel opposite rowing club "De Hertog".
The canal Aa along the city wall.
