Paddling on the Kleine Nete: pure nature in the Kempen

Discover the Kleine Nete, one of the cleanest watercourses in Flanders, winding through the heart of the Kempen. This quiet river invites you to a relaxing and varied paddle trip through a surprisingly rich natural landscape.

From the watermill of Retie to the watermill of Grobbendonk, glide through idyllic nature and open parkland. Along the way, you are surrounded by an exceptional variety of plants and animals and sail past beautiful nature reserves such as De Zegge, Olens Broek, Snepkensvijver, Zwart Water, and Peertsbos. The Kempense Heuvelrug, an ancient dune belt, also appears along the way.

This route is ideal for those who love peace, nature, and slow adventure, alone, with friends, or with family.

Practical overview

• Total length: 25 km
• Number of starting and landing places: 9
• Total paddling time: approx. 5 hours 20 min (without breaks)
• Facilities: landing stages, parking, picnic sites, and drinking spots along the route

Starting and landing places (downstream)

The route is a total of 25 km and has 9 starting points.

The 9 starting points in order downstream are:

1. Retie Watermill (starting point of the route)

2. Kasterlee De Putten

3. Kasterlee Netherust

4. Kasterlee Watermill

5. Geel Ark van Noë

6. Kasterlee Bobbejaanland

7. Herentals Spaans Hof

8. Herentals Sport Vlaanderen

9. Grobbendonk Watermill (end point of the route)

Info paddling time and distance

When? 

The rental season usually runs from the Easter holidays to the end of October. To know the exact dates, it's best to check the website of the rental company.

If you have your own canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or packraft, you can use it every day from half an hour after sunrise to half an hour before sunset.

Rentals on the Kleine Nete

• De Waterral 
• Kano.be
• Kempen Kayaks
• Taverne Netherust