What are these walking routes about?

Each of the Wereldhaventochten tours is a fascinating and cozy city walk which, no matter which distance you choose, will direct you through the Kralingse Bos, over the Willems- and Erasmus bridges, through Katendrecht, along the ss Rotterdam, over the Wilhelmina peer, through the Lloydkwartier, Delfshaven and via the enormous Roof terrace to the finish. These walks are always organised in the first full weekend in September, coinciding with "World Port Days" festivities.

The Wereldhaventochten are being organised by Botu Wandelen. The name "Botu" is short for the combination of the areas Bospolder and Tussendijken in the western part of Rotterdam.BoTu Wandelen with its members creates an annual walking programme. Members of the club will do a weekly walking trip, participation is not obligatory.

Rotterdam is known as the biggest European port. The Wereldhaventocht is particularly known as a "walk in the port". The routes van these trips will go largely through the bigger part of the port area of Rotterdam, and walkers will often walk along the waters as often as possible. The modern Rotterdam ports will not be visited, for they are upto 50 kilometres away from the Rotterdam city centre.

What can you expect

The city of Rotterdam is split by the river Maas, the city has banks on both sides of the rivier. You will have the oppertunity to admire the now famous skyline from both sides of the river, because of two connections over the river: the Willems bridge and the Erasmus bridge. During the walking tours, walking enthusiasts will have magnificent views onto de rivier and its busy shipping. The walker will get ample oppertunity to admire all thesurrouding activities on the river as well as on the quays because of the annual “Wereldhavendagen” event. It is to be expected that on certain moments of the walking trip, things will be very busy because of all the visitors of the "World Port Days", but that will only increase the joy the along the way. The “World Port Days” event is basically a free gift during your walking trip.

The routes have been coordinated, so that there will be something for everyone. Harbour views, modern and historical architecture have been included into the tours. Next to the harbour views and the skyline of the city's modern architecture, the alker will also be presented with historical Delfshaven. A unique harbour corner that was created in 1389. Because Delfshaven has been preserved quite well through the centuries, people easily feel themselves wandering in historic times. To make the routes easy for everyone, there will be arrows for directions with all routes.

Route information

Start desk:

• Location: Clubhouse "BoTu", Zeilmakersstraat 59, 3025 NV Rotterdam
• Start times: 38 km from 7h30, other distances as from 9am.
• The start desk will close at 5pm.
• Registration fee: € 6,00 pp. Members of the KWBN will get € 1,00 discount when showing their membership card.
• Groups (>10 persons) who are pre-registered before 1st August get a 10% discount.
• Remembrance shields separately for € 2,00 each.

Registering:

On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, as from 07h30 for the 38 km, and as from 09h00 for the shorter distances.
The following distances are available: 7 - 12 - 17 - 22 - 28 - 38 km. All routes have been marked by arrows onto the streets.

Upon registration you will receive:

• Directions on paper for the chosen route(s)
• A description of all significant sights and attractions along the way

How to get to the Botu clubhouse by public transport?

Via NS train station Schiedam Centrum, Central Station Rotterdam and Randstad Rail.
• Metro lines A, B en C: Metro station Marconiplein (exit Tussendijken/Schiedamseweg). The arrows on the pavement will guide you from the metro station to the clubhouse.
• Tram lines 4 and 8 from Central Station Rotterdam, exit Zeilmakersstraat on the Schiedamseweg.

How to get to the BoTu clubhouse by car?

It is recommended to park you car at the closest P+R area. On the "Ring of Rotterdam" these will be indicated. You can park your car on the P+R areas near metro stations Alexander, Kralingse Zoom of Capelse Brug. P+R parking is only free of charge when combined with public transport. From these metro stations, you can get to metro station Marconiplein. From there on, it is a short 5 minute walk to the BoTu clubhouse.

For other public transport and parking information, please visit these (Google-translated) websites:

www.bereikbareregiorotterdam.nl
www.rotterdam.nl/parkeren

Parking

During the weekend, there is paid parking from 9am till 6am via car licence plate or "06-parkeren" mobile phone parking on both Saturday and Sunday!
On Sundays, it is not impossible but tricky to park near the clubhouse because of the additional cars from people visiting the nearby market.
Alternatively, there is another parking garage in the Vierhavenstraat above the shop boulevard. This parking garage is quite near to the clubhouse.

Further informations are available via:

• Email: wereldhaventocht@botuwandelen.nl

The view on Rotterdam city centre

Along Katendrecht via 'De Hef' bridge

Along the sailboats