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Sluis

Damse Vaart Canal in Sluis

Discover

Places to see

Netherlands

Zeeland

Sluis

Damse Vaart Canal in Sluis

Recommended by 41 hikers out of 44

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Location: Sluis, Zeeland, Netherlands

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Best Hikes to Damse Vaart Canal in Sluis

4.7

(115)

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1. Wallen van Sluis – Outer ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

6.02km

01:32

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.6

(91)

531

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2. Wallen van Sluis – Outer ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

7.99km

02:01

10m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.5

(19)

192

hikers

3. Wallen van Sluis – Outer ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

4.65km

01:11

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

Klaske Schep

June 13, 2023

The canal in Sluis, also known as the Napoleon Canal or the Damse Vaart, was dug between 1812 and 1814 by order of Napoleon. The original plan to connect Bruges and Breskens was not completed, and the canal ends at Sluis. There had been shipping since 1858, but it was hampered after the destruction of the water locks in 1940. Now the Damse Vaart is used for recreational activities such as fishing and pedal boats.

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Thomas 🖤💚

December 9, 2022

A lovely place in Sluis... the canal!

Will the canal be one of the most photographed spots in Sluis? We owe this beautiful place to the French Emperor Napoleon. The Napoleon Canal is also called "De Damse Vaart". The canal was dug by Spanish prisoners of war between 1812 and 1814 on behalf of Napoleon. Napoleon wanted to connect Bruges and Breskens with the Westerschelde. Due to Napoleon's defeat, the canal was only dug as far as the town of Sluis. The canal was opened in 1858, from then on there was shipping in Sluis until 1940 when the siphons were blown up by French troops and shipping was no longer possible. The siphons have not been restored.

Now the Damse Vaart is only used for recreational purposes, such as fishing, swimming competitions and pedal boats.

Shortly after 1854 a barge connection between Sluis and Bruges was established. The drive to Sluis can take up to 3 hours. The Flemish barges (like the restaurants today) had a good reputation when it came to food. In about 1750, a traveler boarded and ate three dishes, including marinated herring, roast leg of mutton, braised veal, cheese, nuts, and fruit tart. He told his boss two stuivers for the voyage and one gulden and ten stuivers "because of digestion on board". A steamboat service was established around 1865.

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Stephan N

June 12, 2025

The Damse Vaart is a 15 km long canal in northern Belgium that connects Bruges to the Dutch border at Sluis. The canal was commissioned by Napoleon in 1810. It was originally intended to extend to the mouth of the Scheldt (Westerschelde), thus giving Bruges direct access to the North Sea. However, after Napoleon's defeat, the work was never completed.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 50 m

Weather

Wednesday 17 September

19°C

17°C

40 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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Location: Sluis, Zeeland, Netherlands

Damse Vaart Canal in Sluis

1. Wallen van Sluis – Outer ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

2. Wallen van Sluis – Outer ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

3. Wallen van Sluis – Outer ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

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