The windmills of South Holland

We start this cycle route at junction 34 in Woudse Dijk. From here we head towards Oude Wetering along the Braassemermeer. The Braassemermeer is mainly used for water sports recreation such as canoeing and sailing. Along the lake there are several marinas and a covered marina, water sports clubs, boat rental companies, cafes and restaurants. Oude Wetering was originally the name of a canal on which the village is located. This water runs between the Ringvaart of the Haarlemmermeer and the Braassemermeer. From Oude Wetering we continue towards Leiden. Along the way we come across several windmills. The windmills are characteristic of the province of South Holland. Just think of the Kinderdijk. The mills we encounter include the Dekkermolen, the Geestmolen, the Lijkermolen no.1 and Lijkermolen no.2. These last two mills date from 1780 and were built for the drainage of the Droogeerde Veender and Lijkerpolder, which still had to be drained. The twelve-sided shape arose from the masons' belief that a round mill could never be as dense as a twelve-sided one. This Lijkermolen no.1 and Lijkermolen no.2 are the only twelve-sided mills in the Netherlands. When we arrive in Leiden we cycle further along the Wijde Aa back to Woudse Dijk. The Wijde Aa is a main route for pleasure boating to Hoogmade and Leiden from the Braassemermeer. The lake is a popular swimming destination in the summer. The municipality has installed a few swimming facilities, such as a small wooden island.