Tour Zaandam

Cycling through the Dutch polder is a day of enjoying wide views and charming towns. This beautiful route takes you through the Zaandam area, where you drive through old hamlets such as Westzaner-Overtoom and Nauerna.

In Buitenhuizen you cycle along the southern end of De Dorpsstraat: the longest village street in the Netherlands. In Assendelft you cross this street again. The ribbon village of Westzaan is, together with Oostzaan, the oldest village in the Zaan region. Part of this picturesque town enjoys a protected village view.

The route starts and ends at De Koffiezaak Zaandam in the new fun shopping area of Zaandam, near the railway station. In this cozy espresso bar you can enjoy the tastiest artisanal espresso, coffee and tea. And if you have a sweet tooth, you can have something tasty with it. All drinks are made from completely sustainably grown products. You can also buy various organic coffee and espresso blends and tea varieties.

Most of the route you drive through the polder. It is nice to pedal over the many dikes along the waterways. Sometimes the polder is neatly divided, in other places the peat meadow area has been allowed to retain its irregular character. In Heemskerk you drive through the park on the Neksloot, a waterway known for its many pikes.

At the Uitgeestermeer you have a beautiful view over the water. A nice moment to pause for a moment or grab a bench and picnic. Here you see the Tweede Broekermolen, a windmill built in 1631. It is one of the five mills that drained the Uitgeester and Heemskerkerbroekpolder.

There are also three forts of the Defense Line of Amsterdam on your route. You will come across the first just before Heemskerk: the Fort at Veldhuis, which dates from 1893. The fort was still used by the Germans during the Second War. The fort houses the Air War Museum, which is open every Sunday from May to October. The Fort at Krommeniedijk and Fort aan den Ham are also on your route.