Tour of the forest and dunes around Haarlem

Via Haarlemmerliede, Haarlemmerhout and Heemstede you enter Groenendaal, an ancient forest that once consisted of a number of estates. Here is the Groenendaalse Mill, which probably dates from the end of the eighteenth century. It is the only mill in the Netherlands with a double rack. At Overveen you cycle along the edge of Elswout Estate, one of the most beautiful estates in the Netherlands. Overveen itself is a beautiful old town. In Bloemendaal you pass some beautiful old country houses. The oldest part of Spaarndam is located on the western bank of the Spaarne. Here you see the Kolksluis from 1280: the oldest working lock in Europe! Around the lock you look out on a beautiful environment of centuries-old buildings. Stop off at Café De Toerist for a cup of coffee!