Schiphol-Rijk: Cycling Routes and Aviation History
Accommodation in Schiphol-Rijk
Schiphol-Rijk is right next to Schiphol Airport, a location that shapes the character of the place. Business Park Oude Meer is in Schiphol-Rijk. It includes Fokkerweg, Bellsingel, Koolhovenlaan, Cessnalaan, Douglassingel and Capronilaan. These six street names help you find your way around. For travellers considering Schiphol-Rijk as a holiday rental destination, two themes therefore take centre stage: the cycling route around the airport and the area's aviation and fortification history.
Cycling around the airport
On the official cycling route around the airport, you reach Schiphol-Rijk after following the cycle path alongside the runway lights of the Aalsmeerbaan. The route continues along the Ringvaart to Fort bij Aalsmeer. It therefore combines the airport setting with a waterside route and a historic destination. Check the route details before setting off to make sure your plans match the route described.
A second cycling option has a different focus: the historic Geniedijk. It is 11 km long and part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. From Aalsmeerderdijk, you can cycle to Fort bij Aalsmeer via the Liniepad and discover other hidden points of interest along the route. The 11 km refers to the length of the Geniedijk; the route to the fort described here runs via the Liniepad. While the airport route mentions the runway lights and the Ringvaart, this cycling option focuses on the Geniedijk and the fort. This is a useful distinction when planning: you can weigh up whether the airport landscape or the history of the defensive works appeals more.
Local and aviation history
The place name and street names also tell a story of aviation. Schiphol-Rijk is named after the former village of Rijk. The village disappeared in the 1950s to make way for Schiphol-Centrum; it was demolished in 1959 to allow Schiphol to expand. Schiphol-Rijk borders the former factory grounds of aircraft manufacturer Fokker. Fokkerweg, Bellsingel and Koolhovenlaan are named after aircraft manufacturers. The roof of the nearby bus station at Schiphol Airport also has an aviation history: it is an old aircraft hangar dating from the Second World War.
Fort, museum and architecture
Nearby Fort bij Aalsmeer is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. The nearby CRASH Luchtoorlog- en Verzetsmuseum '40-'45 is also housed in the fort and is located near Rijsenhout and Aalsmeerderbrug. The museum displays parts of a Fokker D.XXI shot down by the German occupying forces.
The Hilton airport hotel is a landmark for Schiphol-Rijk. Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol features a distinctive diamond-shaped tile pattern made up of three layers; the windows are also diamond-shaped. The recurring geometry offers an architectural contrast to the themes of the business park and airport cycling route.
Discover more destinations: Zwanenburg, Hoofddorp, Vijfhuizen, Lijnden, Halfweg, Schiphol, Nieuw-Vennep, Badhoevedorp.
For the main travel overview: Haarlemmermeer.
