The Esschestroom (also written Essche Stroom) is a small river of approximately 7 km in length, originating near Oisterwijk in North Brabant and flowing into the Dommel near 's-Hertogenbosch. The paddleable section runs from the village of Halder, where the river joins a popular route toward Den Bosch along the Dommel.

The most notable paddling stretch on the Esschestroom itself is about 3.7 km, ending at a weir that marks the upstream limit of navigation. This section passes through a restored natural reserve created as part of the Halsche Beemden project, completed in 2014, which reinstated roughly three kilometers of meanders between the A2 highway and the Boxtel–'s-Hertogenbosch railway line. The restoration returned the river to something close to its original winding course, resulting in numerous bends and a varied riparian landscape.

The project also created ponds to support amphibian life, and the area quickly attracted diverse plant, fish, and wildlife populations. The canalized channel was retained alongside the new meanders to handle excess water storage and emergency flooding.

The kayak pier for this section is located in Halder, with GPS coordinates N 51.6495, E 5.3253. There is no kayak pier at the Esschestroom itself; the nearest launch point is approximately 400 meters from the recommended parking area. Groups should note that parking at the Halder pier is limited, and larger groups are directed to park along the Vughterweg, about 400 meters away. There are no moorings along the Esschestroom section.

Current is generally light, though conditions can change significantly after periods of heavy rainfall, which paddlers should factor into trip planning. The Esschestroom is commonly paddled as part of a longer route that continues on the Dommel toward Den Bosch; a GPS track covering approximately 25 km is available that includes a trip on the Esschestroom combined with the Dommel and the canals around Den Bosch. The weir at the end of the navigable section has a portage point shared with members of a local rowing club.

The river was heavily canalized in 1965 and historically suffered from industrial pollution, earning the nickname "Dirty Stream." The restoration work of the early 21st century has substantially improved the ecological character of the area.