| Leidsevaart | |
|---|---|
 The canal near Hillegom | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 28.4 km (17.6 miles) |
| Geography | |
| Direction | Northeast |
| Start point | Leiden |
| End point | Haarlem |
| Beginning coordinates | 52°11′18″N 4°29′08″E / 52.1882°N 4.4856°E |
| Ending coordinates | 52°22′56″N 4°37′44″E / 52.3822°N 4.6288°E |
 | |
The Leidsevaart (also known as Leidse trekvaart, Dutch for "Leiden's Pull-Canal") is a canal between the cities of Haarlem and Leiden in the Netherlands. It was dug in 1657, making it one of the oldest canals in the Netherlands. It was the major means of transport between Leiden and Haarlem for almost two centuries until the rail connection was established in the 19th century. The original stops along the railway mirrored the toll bridges of the canal.
The canal runs through or borders the municipalities of Haarlem, Heemstede, Bloemendaal, Hillegom, Noordwijkerhout, Lisse, Teylingen, Oegstgeest, and Leiden.