Kaag en Braassem: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Kaag en Braassem is characterised by waterways, mills and villages. The Wijde Aa connects the Does with the Braassemermeer, thereby forming a popular route for water sports enthusiasts. The Braassemermeer, locally also known as the Braassem, is a 425-hectare lake in the north of Zuid-Holland and is known for water sports such as canoeing and sailing. The Wetering also winds through the characteristic landscape of Oude Wetering, connecting several villages with boating areas.

Water Landscape and Canoe Routes

Those exploring Kaag en Braassem from the water will find several clearly described routes. The 24-kilometre Kaag-Braassem canoe route forms a circular course around Roelofarendsveen, Hoogmade, Oud Ade and Rijpwetering. A good starting point is the canoe jetty facility near Ofwegen on the southern side of the Wijde Aa, on the N446 between Woubrugge and Hoogmade. The route runs via the Wijde Aa, the Does, the Vennemeer, the Ringvaart and the Braassemermeer.

A second water route is the 20-kilometre Braassem-Drecht canoe route. It passes Leimuiden, Bilderdam, Papenveer, Rijnsaterwoude, Roelofarendsveen and Oude Wetering. Its course includes the De Hemmen nature reserve, managed by Staatsbosbeheer, which may only be traversed by canoe. Canoeing and sailing are also the main focus of the water sports options described on the Braassemermeer itself.

Cycle Paths, Ferries and Walks

On two wheels, the “Molens en Meer” cycling route connects several places along a 37.3-kilometre route: Roelofarendsveen, Oude Wetering, Nieuwe Wetering, Rijpwetering and Oud Ade. It uses the Dutch cycle node network and passes more than twenty mills, as well as other sights in and around Kaag en Braassem. This means that the same route showcases both the technical history of the water landscape and its various village settings.

The Vier Pontjesroute includes four ferry crossings, including the bicycle ferry from Kaag to Oud Ade. Another connection runs between Oude Wetering and Leimuiden. The 25-kilometre Pontjesroute is designed as a cycling and walking route and passes through Kaag, Oud Ade, Rijpwetering, Hoogmade, Roelofarendsveen, Woubrugge, Rijnsaterwoude and Oude Wetering. In addition, the Groene Lusjes programme includes eleven short walks through the green surroundings of the village centres of Kaag en Braassem.

Several cycling and walking routes meet at the TOP Rijnsaterwoude/Woubrugge Tourist Transfer Point. It is easily accessible by car and has ample parking. Kaag en Braassem can be reached by car, public transport, bicycle and boat. Bus route 365 connects Schiphol with Oude Wetering and Roelofarendsveen; there, passengers can change to bus route 56 via Nieuwe Wetering, Rijpwetering and Oud Ade towards Leiden.

Mills, Churches and Local History

The history of the Rijn villages is presented at the Van Hemessen Museum in Woubrugge. Among other things, it tells the history of Woubrugge and Hoogmade, as well as that of the vanished village of Jacobswoude. The Oud Alkemade Museum is dedicated to the history of Alkemade and its surroundings and also includes a historical archive with an extensive collection.

Several mills illustrate the development of the landscape. The Akkerslootmolen is an octagonal, thatched earth-sail mill dating from 1793 and is located between Oud Ade and Rijpwetering. It can be used to drain the Akkersloot-, Hertogs- and Blijverspolder areas. The Vrouw Vennemolen in Oud Ade dates from the 17th century and was largely rebuilt in 1835. In Hoogmade, the Hoogmadesemolen has drained the Hoogmadesche Polder and the Piestpolder since 1897.

Oude Wetering is home to the Remonstrantse Kerk, the oldest church building in the village; it was probably founded in 1645. The routes of Historisch Actief offer another way to explore the past. They use audio files with historical stories that lead visitors into the past along picturesque places and monuments.

Traditions and Regional Insights

The Veense Bukker in Roelofarendsveen is a nostalgic kitchen garden. There, volunteers recreate the working methods, cultivation techniques and layout of around one hundred years ago. The annual Nationale Molendag, held on the second weekend of May, is part of the mill tradition. Mill operators in Kaag en Braassem welcome visitors and explain their historic craft.

Kaag en Braassem also takes part in the nationwide Open Monumentendag. The programme then includes open historic buildings, a Molennacht featuring illuminated mills in the dark, as well as audio cycling and walking tours organised by Historisch Actief.

Cheese Farms Along the Way

The Boer en Kaas Fietsroute combines cycling with an insight into regional agriculture. It gives visitors the opportunity to taste genuine farm cheese. At the participating cheese farms, QR codes at the entrance to the farm grounds provide information about the farms.

To the overarching travel overview: South Holland.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Bergambacht, Oostflakkee, Bodegraven.