Experience the naval history of Den Helder

Cycle around the naval city of Den Helder and enjoy picturesque views of seas of flowers in the bulb region and the typical Dutch polder landscape at Anna Paulowna. In the spring and summer months, color and scent predominate on this beautiful route, but you can also enjoy this cycle tour even when the weather is less radiant.

Get a breath of fresh air with a fantastic view of the sea, or combine your bike ride with a visit to Fort Kijkduin!
This fort was built in 1811 by order of Napoleon Bonaparte, who immediately recognized the strategic location of Den Helder. The fort initially consisted of a reduit with two bastions, around which a dry moat was built. A lighthouse was added to the fort in 1822 and an armored observation post was built in 1897. When the Netherlands mobilized in 1939, Fort Kijkduin was also put into position. When the sea wall was strengthened, part of the defenses surrounding the fort disappeared. A North Sea aquarium has been built in the underground tunnel system of the national monument. Colorful sea anemones, impressive rays, red gurnards or smooth sharks can be viewed up close here. Walking through the sea tunnel you will experience the North Sea up close.

The Groote Kaap lighthouse towers above everything eight kilometers away. The round lighthouse painted red was opened in 1966, but was rebuilt in 1985. The 16.8 m high steel tower is still used to signal traffic on the water with a light height of 31 meters above sea level.
The last sight of the cycle tour is the Leonide mill in Anna Paulowna. The mill was built in 2002 from elements that had been stored disassembled since 1988 and various other parts. The octagon, for example, comes from the De Zeemeeuw polder mill, which previously stood in Uithuizen. Although the Leonide has the appearance of a traditional sawmill, this tower mill does not have a traditional mill function: the mill was built as a home.