safety

Canoe and SUP routes

A – Short City Tour (red)

Discover Rotterdam from the water with a relaxed paddle through the heart of the city. Glide past lively quays, distinctive bridges, and bustling markets. Perfect for an easy introduction to the Rotte River.

Type: Round trip
 Distance & time: ± 4.5–6 km • 1.5–2 hours round trip • To the Rottebrug ± 45 min one way

Route: RiF010 → Krattenbrug → Meentbrug → Stokvisbrug → north along the Rotte to Rottebrug (Gordelweg–Boezemlaan) → same waterway back.

Bridges & sights:

  1. Krattenbrug – low pedestrian bridge right after departure, steel construction.
  2. Meentbrug – crossing at Meent; view of the Laurenskerk in the distance.
  3. Stokvisbrug – brick abutments; last bridge before the Rotte.
  4. Noorderbrug – Oogstmarkt on the left, Heineken Building on the right.
  5. Zaagmolenbrug – wooden bike/pedestrian bridge; cafés along the quay (e.g. Destino).
  6. Barakkenbrug – narrow, on a bend in Crooswijksebocht.
  7. Crooswijksebrug – low traffic bridge; view over Crooswijk.
  8. Rottebrug – wide road bridge; turnaround point for this tour. 

Other landmarks:

  • Oogstmarkt (Noordplein) – Saturday market right by the water.
  • Heineken Building – industrial heritage, national monument.
  • Houseboats at Boezembocht – characteristic row of moored living barges. 

B – Kralingse Plas Tour via lock (yellow)

For the adventurous paddler: via the Rotte River and the Noorderkanaal you reach the Kralingse Plas. Along the way, you pass through the historic Kralingse Verlaat lock and head out onto open water. A sporty tour with a touch of adventure and lots of variety.

Type: Round trip
 Distance & time: ± 10–14 km • 3–5 hours round trip (depending on lock waiting time and optional loop on the lake)

Route: Follow route A to the Rottebrug, turn right into the Hoge Boezem / Noorderkanaal, through the Kralingse Verlaat lock to the Kralingse Plas → return the same way.

Kralingse Verlaat lock – how to use:

  1. Wait at the waiting dock until green signal/lock keeper’s instructions.
  2. Paddle in slowly, keep to starboard if asked.
  3. Do not tie to ladders; hold onto rope/bollard.
  4. Stay calm during locking, keep distance from others.
  5. Exit when gate opens; keep right to allow incoming vessels. 

Fauna & flora:

  • Birds: Great cormorant, Great crested grebe, Grey heron, Mute swan, Greylag goose, Common tern, Gull, sometimes Common kingfisher. 
  • Plants: Common reed, Aquatic plant, Yellow iris.