The mast-up route
The Staande Mastroute or "mast-up route" is living proof that you do not need to travel far to see a beautiful and varied landscape. The route winds its way through typical Dutch panoramas of canals, dykes, polders and villages, and takes you to many historic stopping points. Like many other recreational skippers before you, you will have the opportunity to savour the varied nautical landscape and historic landmarks.
Typically Zuid-Holland
The Staande Mastroute is a stunning inland route through the typical landscape of Zuid-Holland. 114 km long, the Staande Mastroute runs from the IJssel Lake through stunning waterways such as Old Rhine, Gouwe, Old Meuse and Noord, the Dordste Kil and Hollands Diep.
The route offers not only a picture-perfect view of the "Hollands" landscape, but also its many bridges, sluices and works of art. Navigate your way around the Old Dutch towns and cities, such as Leiden, Gouda, Dordrecht, Delft and Schiedam.
An inland route that can be negotiated mast up
The name says it all. The Staande Mastroute is also ideal for sailing boats with an assembled height of 6 meters or less. The mast-up route bypasses all fixed bridges. Needless to say, the route is not restricted solely to vessels with a stand-up mast. All recreational skippers can enjoy the delights of the Staande Mastroute.
A skipper wishing to traverse the whole route will need to negotiate 3 sluice gates and 40 moveable bridges, all of which are beautifully synchronised to enable to entire route to be sailed within 24 hours. However, by doing so many of the historic stopping points en-route will be bypassed.
The quayside beckons
The many historical cities associated with the Staande Mastroute are interesting destinations in their own right. How about a cultural afternoon at the Cheese Market in Gouda or the Vermeer Centre in Delft. The route also winds its way through the historic cities of Leiden and Schiedam. Each destination is well worth a visit. So why not drop anchor for a while and stretch your legs!
If you are negotiating the route from the north, you can also stop off in Haarlem and Amsterdam. The “mast-up route” runs from the IJssel Lake to Hollands Diep. It is also possible to navigate the route from the south. In that case, the starting point is Dordrecht, and the end point the IJssel Lake.
More information
The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management [Dutch: Rijkswaterstaat] has published a special brochure, entitled 'Varen doe je samen' ('Setting Sail Together'). The brochure describes the Staande Mastroute in detail, including operating times, draught and size restrictions and other useful tips and recommendations.
Download the brochure 'Varen doe je samen' ('Setting Sail Together') (in Dutch)
