Loosdrechtse Plassen
A boat rental in Loosdrecht is one of the best ways to explore the Loosdrechtse lakes. From several ports you sail directly into the vast lake area with islands, beaches and nature. Along the water are impressive villas, cozy restaurants and quiet spots where you can moor for a while and enjoy the view.
The Loosdrechtse plassen are a popular boating area in the Netherlands and ideal for a relaxing day on the water with family or friends. Many boats can be rented in Loosdrecht without a boating license, making it easy for anyone to explore the area through various boating routes on the Loosdrechtse lakes. Along the way, there are several moorings and waterfront restaurants Where you can stop by boat.
Download this route which will take you for about 2.5 hours on a tour of the Loosdrecht lakes. Make some stops along the way at the islands, enjoy the atmosphere, friendliness and beautiful views that the lakes have to offer!
Download this route and cruise for 3.5 hours on the lakes and the Vecht. From the Porseleinhaven you go via the Westelijke Drecht and the Mijndense sluice on the Vecht. For the waiting time at the locks we count about one hour, this is already included in the time.
Note: The waiting time at the locks can be quite long in good weather and crowded! A stop en route is not included in the calculation.
Cruise past stately homes, beautiful hydrangeas and cozy terraces until you reach the Weersluis. Go through the self service lock (This is a shallow lock, not suitable for large and/or deep boats) and back between the farmlands to the Loosdrechtse plassen.
Click or scan the QR code to open the map of all places of interest in Google Maps.
Download this route which you can find during such a 4.5 hours (without stops) will show you beautiful places. This route is approximately 22 kilometer. For the waiting time at the locks we count about one hour, this is already included in the time.
NOTE: Waiting time at the locks can be considerable in good weather and crowds! A stop en route is not included in the calculation.
(The picture you see here sails counterclockwise)
Lock tour
[first hour]
From the Porseleinhaven you sail along the many harbors on the Oostelijke Drecht, at the very end you turn left. Now you are on the 's-Gravenlandse Vaart. At the end of the canal you go through the Raaisluis (near the Intratuin) and then turn left.
At the end of the canal you come to lock 't Hemeltje. Go through the locks and turn left on the Vecht. [third hour] Cruise down this river for a long stretch. On the way you will pass through idyllic Vreeland and Loenen on the Vecht. There are numerous restaurants in these towns. Tip: Pancake restaurant Hendrik (formerly 'North Brabant') in Vreeland!
After you pass these villages and already 4 bridges on the Vecht you see on your left the Mijndense locks, which you pass (cost €5). [fourth hour] About 800m after the lock you go up the Western Drecht back to the Loosdrechtse Plassen (you see an arrow that says right is the recommended route, but you go straight on. It is not a one-way street and it is the best route). On this part of the Drecht you may encounter even more boats than on the Vecht. There are also many manually operated ferries (which always have priority).
As you sail out of the Drecht keep left, back to the Porcelain Harbour. On your left you will see many luxurious Gooish villas with covered boathouses. Feel free to cruise a little closer along the shore back to the harbor.
Do you have some time left? Sail to the island Markus Pos for a nice beach (or toilet stop)!
Click or scan the QR code to open the map of all places of interest in Google Maps.
Download this route Via the Drecht and the Mijnden locks you enter the Vecht. Cruise past stately homes, beautiful hydrangeas and cozy terraces as far as you like. If you follow this route you should count on about 4.5 to 5 hours sailing time. Back to the lakes you use the locks Kraaienestersluis. This is a self service lock (note: shallow lock, not suitable for large and/or deep boats). Through beautiful area you can sail back to the Loosdrechtse lakes.
Restaurants on the Loosdrechtse lakes
Along the Loosdrecht lakes are several restaurants and cozy waterfront cafes where you can moor your boat. During a day of boating or when you rent a boat in Loosdrecht, it is nice to stop along the way for lunch, dinner or a drink.
Do check opening hours in advance; many restaurants on the Loosdrecht lakes are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Below are some restaurants that are easily accessible by boat.
- Opposite the Porcelain Harbor is snack bar Happy Food, an easy stop during a day of boating on the Loosdrechtse lakes. Ideal for an ice cream or fries that you can easily take on board. (€)
- Pavilion The Meent is located on island De Meent and can only be reached by boat. A nice place to stop for a drink, ice cream or French fries during a boating trip on the Loosdrecht lakes. (€)
- For pizza, pasta or a drink, you can dock at Rosa's Cantina, a popular waterfront restaurant on the Loosdrecht lakes. Ordering and eating on the boat is also possible here. (€€)
- On the other side of the Loosdrecht lakes in Scheendijk lies Restaurant Boothuys. The route to it is beautiful and runs right through the North Kievits neighborhood. Easy to reach by boat to moor for lunch or dinner. (Just add Google Maps) (€€)
- One of the most beautiful terraces on the Loosdrecht lakes can be found at Porto restaurant. Perfect for lunch, drinks or dinner during a day of boating in Loosdrecht. (€€€)
- In the middle of the cozy Old Loosdrecht, in the Porcelain Harbour, lies The Harbour Club. A lively place on the water where you can moor your boat for food, drinks and socializing. (€€€)
- Want a more elaborate lunch or dinner? Then sail to the beautiful terrace of Countryside Slangevegt at the Vecht. Here you can easily moor your boat and enjoy lunch, drinks or dinner overlooking the water. (€€€€)
- For a culinary experience, you can also dock at AIM, where you can dine gourmet while cruising in the region Loosdrecht and the Vecht. (€€€€)
Michelin restaurants along the Vecht
Want a culinary stop during a longer cruise from Loosdrecht? Along the Vecht are several Michelin-starred restaurants where you can moor your boat:
- The Netherlands on the Vecht in Vreeland
- Auntie Koosje in Loenen on the Vecht
- Amsterdammerje in Loenen on the Vecht
Read the reviews from the Michel guide here: The Netherlands, Auntie Koosje and The Amsterdammertje.
Through these webcams you can watch the Loosdrechtse Plassen live, useful if you want to see how busy it is, how much wind and waves there are or just want to peek.
The map shows where the webcams are located.
From the White House
From KWVL start tower (view of first puddle)
From KWVL terrace
From the Waldorf
Garbage collection service
Addresses for repair/maintenance/sales
- Jachtservice Breukelen, Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk 141A, Loosdrecht. Also accessible from the water.
Repairer for boats and inboard engines (also Vetus parts dealer). - BML, Old-Loosdrechtsedijk 95A, Loosdrecht. Phone: 035Â 5828485
Maintenance and repair of outboard motors. - Huib Versluis of Versluistotaal, Middenweg 117-a, Nederhorst den Berg.
Good craftsman/repairer and maintenance for outboard motors. - Rogier Hoetmer, Aluminum & Engineering, Phone: 06-290110896, Reeweg 10, Nederhorst den Berg.
Aluminum boats, aluminum welding, aluminum repairs, annodes and new construction.
Phone numbers and opening hours Locks
- Mijnden Lock (paid), phone: 06 15058636 (see opening hours)
- Lock: 't Hemeltje (free), phone: 0294-254686
- Weather lock (self-service) (see opening hours)
- Kraaienesters Lock (self-service) (see opening hours)
- Raise lock (self-service) (see opening hours)
Phone numbers and opening hours Locks
- New Lock Bridge (bridge over the Vecht): 06-25346304 (self-service, opens automatically after calling)
- Weteringbrug (bridge between Vecht and Amsterdam Rhine Canal):Â 0294-230761 (self-service, opens automatically after calling)
- Nigtevecht Bridge:Â 06-51205038Â (see opening hours)
