Paddling near Assen, Drenthe

Assen sits in the province of Drenthe, a region threaded with canals, small rivers and lakes that suit relaxed flatwater paddling. The Drentsche Hoofdvaart runs close to the city, and the Havenkanaal naar Assen and Passantenhaven De Vaart give paddlers easy access right from the urban core. Further afield, the Drentsche Aa — paddled from put-ins at Schipborg and Zuidlaren — is one of the most natural river corridors in the Netherlands, while the Zuidlaardermeer provides open-water options for kayak and SUP alike.