Holiday apartment in Drechterland – Water, trails and history

Drechterland combines views across the IJsselmeer with farmland and characteristic Stolp farmhouses. There are also waterside locations on the Markermeer, nature areas with birds, paths through the surrounding countryside and notable reminders of regional history. This creates a varied combination of landscape, activities and culture.

Nature and water

Cycling and hiking trails run through Drachterveld between Oosterblokker and Westwoud. The area also includes a boating route towards Bangert-Oosterpolder and a 22-hectare water storage area. There are opportunities for hiking, cycling and boating there. Drachterveld also has a nesting wall for sand martins.

Near Uiterdijk lies a nature area that provides a habitat for waterbirds and meadow birds. Various bird species can be observed there throughout the year. There are also different places to visit by the water at Wijdenes: Haven Wijdenes is a waterside rest area along the Westfriese Omringdijk for boating, walks and cycling tours. At the harbour of Wijdenes on the Markermeer, you can sunbathe, fish and moor.

Uiterdijk in Schellinkhout is suitable for swimming and surfing on the Markermeer. Hoogkarspel is also home to Het Streekbad, an outdoor swimming pool.

Trails and routes

Those exploring Drechterland on foot can begin the NS walking route De Weelen at Hoogkarspel railway station. It leads through the De Weelen nature reserve to Enkhuizen. For cycling tours, Drechterland has a cycle-node network. Information boards or a node map can be used to put together your own cycling routes.

The combination of different modes of transport is also evident in Drachterveld: in addition to the cycling and hiking trails, the area includes a boating route towards Bangert-Oosterpolder. The 22-hectare water storage area also offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and boating.

Culture and history

De Stofmolen is a grain mill dating from 1911. It was restored in 2004 and 2005 and has been operational ever since. The interior can be visited by appointment when the mill is open to the public. In Oosterleek stands the Hervormde Kerk, a simple hall church built around 1690 and extensively renovated in 1875. The church has a modern oak pulpit with carvings from the 17th century.

The town hall of Schellinkhout dates from 1765. It contains an old council chamber with tiled walls and murals from 1782. The town hall is currently used as a library, so access to the interior is restricted. Another distinctive building is the water tower from 1930. It is made of red brick, has a twelve-sided floor plan and is reminiscent in its design of the Amsterdam School.

The Beatles Monument stands in a public space and is freely accessible. It commemorates the Beatles' performance on 6 June 1964 in the auction halls of Blokker. In this way, alongside older buildings, Drechterland also preserves a more recent musical history in its townscape.

Stories and other experiences

De VertelTuin comprises a 1.5-hectare park with nature trails. Visitors can walk there between storytelling events. Stories and readings for groups and families are offered both indoors and outdoors.

The Westfriese Golfclub has a par-71 course for players of all skill levels. The complex includes a brasserie with a terrace and views of the 18th hole; both golfers and non-golfers are welcome there.

At roadside stands in Drechterland, seasonal flowers, fruit and vegetables are sold fresh from the land.

Also pay attention to which services are included, how the price components are structured and which booking or cancellation conditions apply. The offers displayed and their details can then be compared directly with one another.

More places to browse: Venhuizen, Hem, Langedijk.

To the overarching travel overview: North Holland.