Tour of Waterland and the Zaanse Schans

In Waterland you cycle past endless fields, bordered by straight ditches, channels and waterways. In the past, arable farming was virtually impossible here; the area was too wet and marshy. There was a lot of trade on the markets with dairy products. Polder mills ensured dry feet, such as the Twiskemolen near junction 19. This ground-sailer was built in 1572 and was originally located in Barsingerhorn, where it drained the Hooglandspolder. In 1974 it was moved to its current location. Here it was to drain the Polder Oostzaan. Who knows, you might be lucky and see the mill in action. You cycle back via the Zaanse Schans, a beautiful historic row of mills that you first admire from the other side of the water.