Joop Zoetemelkpad, Noordkade, Galgekade and Generaal van Merleweg

This is a long, flat Groene Hart-style day hike of about 51 km / 31.7 mi with essentially 0 m / 0 ft of climbing—more “distance endurance” than “hill fitness.” Expect a constant rhythm of canals, dikes, towpaths, and quiet polder roads, with big skies, open pastureland, and frequent water crossings via bridges and locks. Underfoot is typically paved cycleway, brick, compacted gravel, and short grassy dike sections; after rain, the grassy edges and farm tracks can turn slick.

Because the route strings together named segments (Joop Zoetemelkpad, Noordkade, Galgekade, Generaal van Merleweg), it’s best treated as a linked urban-edge + countryside loop/line through South Holland’s lowlands rather than a single signed hiking trail. Use HiiKER to keep the correct line through the many similar-looking junctions and parallel paths.

Getting to the start (public transport + car) - By train/bus: A practical rail access point for the Noordkade area is Waddinxveen Noord station (Sprinter services on the Gouda–Alphen aan den Rijn line). (en.wikipedia.org) From there, you can walk a short distance to the Noordkade corridor along the Gouwe. - By car: Aim for parking near the riverfront/industrial-edge streets around Noordkade, Waddinxveen (for example, the Noordkade address range in the 2741 postcode area is right on the Gouwe-side corridor). (mapquest.com)
- Nearest known landmark for “Noordkade” segment: Noordkade, Waddinxveen (along the Gouwe River) is the key geographic anchor for this route’s named streets/paths. (ventu.nl)

What the day feels like (pace, surfaces, exposure) At 51 km / 31.7 mi, most hikers plan 9–12 hours moving time depending on breaks and wind. The landscape is fully exposed—there’s rarely sustained shade—so sun, drizzle, and especially headwinds can be the real difficulty. Even with “0 m gain,” the effort can spike when you’re pushing into wind on long straight dikes.

Footwear: road-to-trail hybrids work well. If it’s been wet, prioritize grip for algae-slick canal edges, muddy farm verges, and polished brick near locks/bridges.

Noordkade & the Gouwe corridor: water, working landscapes, and long sightlines

Along Noordkade (Waddinxveen) you’re walking beside the Gouwe, a working river/canal corridor that has long connected towns in this part of Zuid-Holland. The feel is a mix of riverbank, light industrial edges, and residential stretches, with frequent views across the water and a steady pattern of moored boats, reed fringes, and waterside infrastructure. (ventu.nl)

What to look out for here: - Fast bikes and e-bikes on shared paths—this is a cycling-heavy region, and some waterside routes function like commuter corridors. - Narrowings, bollards, and pinch points where the path constricts near access roads and driveways. - Wind funneling along the open water: even moderate forecasts can feel stronger at canal level.

Wildlife is subtle but constant: expect waterfowl (coots, moorhens, ducks, geese), occasional grey herons, and in warmer months lots of insects