Kanodorp Dwarsgracht

The Kanodorp is the canoe hire base of the Dwarsgracht campsite, in the peat-cutters' hamlet of the same name, about 3 km from the centre of Giethoorn and inside the Weerribben-Wieden National Park. It hires out canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, bikes and fluisterboten, and organises days for families and groups and multi-day canoe trips with a night in a cabin or on a camping raft.

What it hires out

Canoes are hired by the day, from €25; the website does not publish the price of kayaks and SUPs. For several days there is long-term hire. From the campsite shore start its two routes: from Dwarsgracht to Giethoorn, through the village and the reed beds, with a picnic spot near De Bramen, and from Dwarsgracht to Belt-Schutsloot, along the canals, ponds and lakes of De Wieden. From here also starts the Dwarsgracht canoe route published by Natuurmonumenten, of 14 km and about three and a half hours.

Hours and how to get there

Open from 1 April to 1 October, every day from 10:00 to 18:00. Parking is free. By car, from the A32 take the Havelte / Steenwijk exit, follow the signs for Giethoorn and take the turning for Dwarsgracht; about 2 km on, turn right, next to cycle node 52. Book in advance in season: Natuurmonumenten recommends it for the Dwarsgracht route.

Multi-day trips and groups

In addition to hire by the day, the Kanodorp prepares multi-day canoe trips through Weerribben-Wieden, with nights in hikers' cabins or on a camping raft anchored among the reeds, and family or company days with activities on the water. The same business runs the Dwarsgracht campsite, with 15 pitches and tiny houses, so you can sleep there and set out to paddle in the morning, when there is less wind.