Weerribben-Wieden: the largest contiguous lowland peat bog in Northwestern Europe, formed through peat extraction and shaped by a network of narrow ditches, reed beds, and vast lakes such as the Beulakerwijde and Belterwijde. The area is ideal for exploring by canoe and feels surprisingly quiet and remote in many places. At the same time, right in the heart of the region lies the well-known village of Giethoorn—the touristy “Venice of the Netherlands”—where the contrast with the surrounding nature is striking. Scattered throughout Weerribben-Wieden are several “paalcampings” managed by Staatsbosbeheer: simple, unique campsites accessible only by boat. An ideal destination for a short micro-adventure close to home. Read on for my experience of a canoe trip and spending the night in the heart of nature. Of course, many other routes are possible.

The end of summer is approaching—September 2025. It’s still warm, but you can already notice the sun setting earlier each day. My cycling trip in Belgium wasn’t long ago, and I find myself trying to hold on tightly to that camping and outdoor feeling. Between work and social commitments, I manage to free up a long weekend—from Thursday to Saturday. The canoe paradise of Weerribben-Wieden has been high on my list ever since visiting De Biesbosch. Let me take you along on this micro-adventure!

On Thursday, I travel by train to Meppel, where I hop on an OV-bike and cycle toward the canoe rental. Since public transport in the area is limited and strong winds are expected this weekend, I carefully choose my starting point and paddling direction. With my luggage and some hip discomfort, I opt for a two-person canoe this time, just a bit more comfortable.

From the campsite, I begin with the Beltschutsloot – Wieden loop (±8.5 km). It’s a peaceful and gentle start, and after about 1.5 hours (clockwise), you reach the first “paalcamping” (pole campsite). This is an ideal spot for the first night: right in the middle of nature and only accessible by canoe.

Friday is all about a longer journey. From the pole campsite, I paddle toward the Beulakerwijde (be mindful of the wind!) and stop at the visitor center for a short break. After that, I explore part of the Dwarsgracht loop before cutting through a canal toward Giethoorn, the Venice of the Netherlands. It feels surreal to arrive in a tourist hotspot after such complete tranquility. It’s clearly the low season, though.

From Giethoorn, I cross the Bovenwijde heading south. A great stop along the way is the observation tower in De Wieden, where you can stretch your legs for a bit. At the end of the day, I continue on to the pole campsite near Giethoorn East. I check my GPS several times to make sure I’m in the right place, as there’s no official sign marking the campsite. By then, it’s too late to look for alternatives, so make sure to verify this before you set off!

On Saturday, I leave early in the cold for the return journey. The sunrise on the water is a highlight: quiet, misty, and completely yours. The route takes me across the Bovenwijde, through narrow ditches toward the eastern side of the Belterwijde. Be aware of busier boat traffic here, such as sailboats. Via Schutsloot, I find my way back to Camping Klein Belterwijde to return the canoe and hop back on my bike to Meppel.

What a wonderful micro-escape from the Randstad. And it’s truly incredible that I was able to wild camp alone for two nights in the Netherlands. Next time, it can almost only be a letdown.