Get a breath of fresh air in West Friesland

The West Frisian region in North Holland is a relatively unknown cycling gem. At a short distance you can enjoy a vast landscape, old (ribbon) villages and a rich cultural history. And of course the view over the IJsselmeer.

The taste of Medemblik
West Friesland belonged to Frisian territory for a long time in the Middle Ages, as the residents did not want to submit to the counts of Holland. The Frisian influence can be seen in the many authentic bell-shaped farmhouses. If you drive through charming Medemblik, you will notice how many centuries-old facades are still standing here. In addition to history, you can also taste the good life at the cozy and tasty Bakery Museum.

Blooming bulb fields
The West Frisian lowlands are ideal for exploring by bike. Here you drive through a mix of damp meadows, ditches, colorful bulb fields and high skies. Along the IJsselmeer you can enjoy views over the water and get a breath of fresh air. Just above Onderdijk you drive along the Nesboskade, which is part of the Vooroever nature reserve. On the other side of the road you look out over the Groote Vliet inland lake and several strips of swamp forest.

Let off some steam
Land has also been reclaimed in West Friesland with the help of mills. Yet even in this region the wind sometimes failed. As a result, the country was flooded. To prevent this, the Vier Noorder Koggen steam pumping station was built in 1869. This pumping station ultimately made all 24 polder mills in the area redundant. You can now visit the Dutch Stoomgemaal Museum in the old buildings. Feel free to dismount if you want to admire the approximately thirty steam engines, for example. Would you like to see more of the history and landscape in this region? Then cycle route 181022 or walk through Medemblik with route 318687.