Discover Kudelstaart: Water and History

Kudelstaart combines a waterscape with traces of settlement, church and fortress history. The Westeinderplassen cover around ten square kilometres; the villages in their surroundings include Aalsmeer, Kudelstaart and Leimuiden. Colourful tulip fields lie close to the Westeinderplassen in the southwest. When choosing a holiday apartment in Kudelstaart, you can therefore plan a variety of days between water, landscape and historical discoveries.

Holiday apartment in Kudelstaart between water and landscape

Directly on the Westeinderplassen in Kudelstaart, Waterskischool CopinSki accompanies water-skiers and wakeboarders of all ages and ability levels. Surfeiland Aalsmeer is located in the Kudelstaart area between the historic village centres of Aalsmeer and Kudelstaart. There, Surfeiland Aalsmeer offers water skiing, windsurfing, stand-up paddling and flyboarding.

History that remains part of the villagescape

Kudelstaart originated around 1200 as a settlement created through peatland drainage and cultivation and was first mentioned in 1237 under the name “Schoenedorp”. The Kudelstaartseweg developed from a drainage and cultivation axis and is still clearly recognisable. The construction of Fort bij Kudelstaart divided the ribbon village into two parts; afterwards, the centre shifted from Vrouwentroost in the north to the south.

Fort bij Kudelstaart is a fort surrounded by a moat, forming part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, which was built to defend an access route along the Kudelstaartseweg; it is not accessible to visitors. Near Kudelstaartseweg 83, the Inlaatsluis is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.

At the former church site of Calslagen, a wall several layers of stone high was built on the church foundations. Several gravestones from the original church floor lie within the original church space. The R.K. St.-Johannes de Doperkerk is a three-aisled church with a three-sided closed choir and a partially integrated tower.

Routes for cycling, hiking and crafts

The historic cycling and hiking route passes through Aalsmeer, Kudelstaart and Calslagen, visiting 36 historic sites and using information boards and QR codes to provide background information. Near Kudelstaart on the Amstel, the Fortenfietsroute reaches its turning point before leading back to Aalsmeer.

The Amb8route is an 18-kilometre cycling and hiking route where you can discover a diverse selection of crafts. These include smoking eels, soap making, growing flower bulbs and cooking with artisanally produced herb oil and herb mixtures.

Practical orientation for your holiday apartment

Jachthaven Kudelstaart has a bistro, a petrol station and free parking for day visitors. There is also a sanitary building with a washing machine and dryer. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can first determine your preferred holiday rhythm: water sports on the Westeinderplassen, historic sites and buildings, or cycling and hiking routes featuring regional crafts. The different route lengths make it easier to find your bearings when planning.

To the overarching travel overview: Aalsmeer.