Spaarndam Fort Route

On this watery route you will pass four forts from Dutch military history: a historic backdrop for an interesting ride. The Fort south of Spaarndam is a fort from the Defense Line of Amsterdam. Together with the Fort north of Spaarndam it formed the Position Spaarndam, which consisted of two forts, a line wall and two side batteries. The Spaarndam position had to close the access roads to Amsterdam. On the west side you will find an inundation area and a forecourt with concrete shell-free shelters. The fort has been restored and now houses a gallery and café.

The Fort north of Spaarndam is larger and has been closed for more than 30 years. It is now in a neglected state. Paintings from the beginning of the 20th century and graffiti from the time of the German occupation have been found in the fort. Also unique to this fort is the narrow gauge railway for the transport of ammunition from the Zijkanaal B. Guided tours are given during the annual Defense Month in September.

The Fort at Penningsveer, together with the Fort at the Liebrug and the Fort aan de Liede, was part of the Position aan de Liede, which had to defend the connections between Amsterdam and Haarlem. The Dutch army used the fort for the storage of copper and ammunition until the mid-1980s. It has now been renovated into a country retreat for group accommodations and there is an exhibition hall.

The Fort on the Liebrug is smaller than the forts at Penningsveer and on the Liede. Between this fort and Fort aan de Liede are the remains of a line wall containing a secondary battery and fragment-free shelters. A wine import company is now located between the meter-thick walls of the fort.

After all those historical examples of Dutch martial art, you cycle back past the Veerplas recreational area. In the cold half of the year, numerous water birds such as the greylag goose, the wigeon and the goldeneye hibernate on the marshy banks. And for those who want to stretch their legs and dip their toes in the cool water: on the west side of the lake you will find a recreational beach.