Walking the Dorpsgracht footpath

What it is

In the old centre of Giethoorn there is no street: there is a canal, the Dorpsgracht, and beside it a path for pedestrians and bikes. It runs from the Noordeinde, the northern end, to the Zuideinde, the south, via the Middenbuurt, and is only interrupted at the crossing with the Kerkweg. In the centre it is called Binnenpad; towards the south, Zuiderpad. Walking it is the simplest and free way to see the village: farmhouses with reed-thatched roofs, each on its own plot surrounded by water, neat gardens and wooden bridges, most of them private. Giethoorn has more than 170.

The canal exists because of the peat. The villagers cut it for centuries as fuel, the ditches filled with water, and the boat was for a long time the only transport. The traditional boat was the punter, about 6.30 metres long, which was pushed along with a pole; you will still see one moored here and there.

The walk

Start near the Dominee Hylkemaweg bus stop or the car parks at the entrance and look for the canal. Heading south along the Binnenpad, you pass the 't Olde Maat Uus museum, at number 52, a village farmhouse you can visit inside, and Grachthof, at 54, with a terrace over the water. Further south, along the Zuiderpad, the path continues to Smit Giethoorn, at 58, already close to the southern lakes.

The simplest is to go there and back the same way. Allow between one and two hours at a relaxed pace, with stops for photos. It is flat, of asphalt or brick, and suits a pushchair or wheelchair, although the arched bridges that cross the canal are quite steep.

Rules of the path

The path is shared with bikes: walk on your side and give way. The bridges and gardens leading to each house are private; do not cross where it says privé and do not sit on the neighbours' jetties. Giethoorn receives between one and one and a half million visitors a year in a small village where people live all year round.

When to go

First thing and at dusk the canal is almost empty and the light is soft. The excursion coaches arrive mid-morning and leave in the afternoon: between eleven and four, in season and at weekends, the path fills with people stopped on every bridge. On weekdays in spring or in September it is much quieter. In winter the walk stays open, with less atmosphere, and in a hard frost the canal can freeze.

With children and with a dog

With small children it is an easy walk, but the path runs right beside the water and has no railing: hold them by the hand or keep them in the pushchair. With a dog, keep it on a lead because of the bike traffic. If you want to add the water, hire an electric boat afterwards: after walking round the village you will know where you want to sail.

How to get there and where to park

You cannot drive into the old centre: leave the car in the car parks at the entrance to the village, beside the Binnenpad and the Beulakerweg. By public transport, take a train to Steenwijk and bus 70 to Dominee Hylkemaweg, about ten minutes on foot from the canal.