Holiday apartment in Koggenland: Hiking, Water and West Frisian Culture

The 284-kilometre long-distance hiking trail Noord-Hollandpad is divided into 16 stages of between 10 and 25 kilometres each. It passes bodies of water, dunes, historic villages, windmills, pumping stations, dykes, ditches, hand-operated ferries and heathland.

Hiking and historic trails

In addition to the long-distance hiking trail, there are shorter routes through towns and green spaces. A 3.7-kilometre hiking route leads through Avenhorn and De Goorn, passing various sights described in the route brochure. The green alternative route runs for 2.8 kilometres through the Buitenloof village forest and along other green spaces.

The Oud Obdam route is 2.0 kilometres long and leads through Obdam’s oldest town centre. Another notable connection is stage 9 of the Noord-Hollandpad from Obdam to Schermerhorn. It runs along quiet country roads and unpaved church paths, as well as past straight waterways, winding ditches, marsh meadows and grass-covered dykes with numerous stiles.

Water and landscape

The 58-hectare De Hulk recreational area is divided into an inland and an area outside the dykes. Ecological measures have been implemented along parts of its shores. A diverse range of plant and animal life can be seen in an area focused on nature development. After sand extraction, an additional 11-hectare area was established as a recreational area; a hiking trail runs around the lake.

De Leijen on Gemaalweg in Hensbroek is the only official bathing site in natural waters in Koggenland. The Polder Westerkogge route leads through the open landscape and along various village centres. It is suitable for flat-bottomed boats, rowing boats and canoes. The waterways can be used mainly by canoes, electric whisper boats and flat-bottomed boats. A boat trip is a day excursion and takes approximately four hours at a leisurely pace, not including breaks. Near a pumping station, there is a canoe portage from the Markermeer to the inland waterways.

Cycling in West Friesland

The signposted cycling network in West Friesland extends across the whole of West Friesland and far beyond. Each junction in the cycling network has a board with a route map, allowing the route to be adjusted.

Culture and farming heritage

Molen Weel en Braken is a windmill dating from 1632; its types are a hollow post mill and a drainage windmill. It once drained the 76-hectare Weel en Braken polder as a subsidiary drainage facility of the Obdam polder. The mill is generally open on Sundays when it is operating, as well as by appointment.

At the De Anloup Museum Farm, visitors can see clothing, tools and household objects from former farming life. The museum is located in a West Frisian stolp farmhouse in Zuidermeer and can be visited by appointment.

Family time and regional products

Kinderparadijs Koggenland offers almost 2,000 m² of indoor play space, as well as a meadow, play equipment and room to play football outdoors. It is aimed at families with children aged 0 to 12.

The André Hoeve farm shop sells more than 25 varieties of Beemster cheese as well as other regional products. At André Hoeve, you can enjoy coffee from Hoorn, homemade farm-style apple pie, Beemster cheese toasties and farm ice cream.

Other places

More town pages: Berkhout, Ursem, Obdam, Zuidermeer, Avenhorn, Oudendijk, Scharwoude, Hensbroek, Spierdijk.

To the overview of higher-level destinations: North Holland.