Get a breath of fresh air on the Westfriese Omringdijk
- The Netherlands
- North Holland
- Enkhuizen
- 70.08 km (Approximately 04:07 u)
- Cycling route 335194
Get a breath of fresh air on the Westfriese Omringdijk
- The Netherlands
- North Holland
- Enkhuizen
- 70.08 km (Approximately 04:07 u)
- Cycling route 335194
You can make wonderful cycling trips in Westfriesland. The landscape consists of vast polders with endless views and charming towns such as Enkhuizen, Medemblik and Hoorn. You will also find all kinds of fascinating sights in this area.
The West Frisian Omringdijk
A large part of this route takes you over the Westfriese Omringdijk. This 126 kilometer long dike has protected West Friesland from the sea for centuries. The dike still meanders through the landscape in many places, but it has largely lost its function as a water barrier. Only between Hoorn and Medemblik does the dike still provide protection against seawater. Here you can get a breath of fresh air along the IJsselmeer and enjoy the panoramic views. At Oosterdijk you can clearly see that the water on one side of the dike is higher than the land on the other side. Not surprising, since a large part of the Netherlands is below sea level.
The Koopmanspolder
Between Andijk and Wervershoof you cycle along the Koopmanspolder. The everyday domestic grassland with ponds has been transformed here into a true work of art in the shape of a whirlpool. Visual artist Ben Raaijman designed the shape of the polder. So you can feast your eyes here. You can cover the distance between junction 90 and junction 60 with the steam tram from Medemblik to Hoorn. A very nice experience! View the current timetable .
The power of steam
Westfriesland has even more to offer in the field of steam in addition to the historic steam tram. For example, in Oosterdijk you can visit the Dutch Steam Engine Museum. This museum is located in the former pumping station 'Vier Noorder Kogge' from 1869. Here you can experience what life was like about a hundred years ago when there was no electricity yet. Steam was then used to set all kinds of machines in motion, including the steam pumping station.
The West Frisian Omringdijk
A large part of this route takes you over the Westfriese Omringdijk. This 126 kilometer long dike has protected West Friesland from the sea for centuries. The dike still meanders through the landscape in many places, but it has largely lost its function as a water barrier. Only between Hoorn and Medemblik does the dike still provide protection against seawater. Here you can get a breath of fresh air along the IJsselmeer and enjoy the panoramic views. At Oosterdijk you can clearly see that the water on one side of the dike is higher than the land on the other side. Not surprising, since a large part of the Netherlands is below sea level.
The Koopmanspolder
Between Andijk and Wervershoof you cycle along the Koopmanspolder. The everyday domestic grassland with ponds has been transformed here into a true work of art in the shape of a whirlpool. Visual artist Ben Raaijman designed the shape of the polder. So you can feast your eyes here. You can cover the distance between junction 90 and junction 60 with the steam tram from Medemblik to Hoorn. A very nice experience! View the current timetable .
The power of steam
Westfriesland has even more to offer in the field of steam in addition to the historic steam tram. For example, in Oosterdijk you can visit the Dutch Steam Engine Museum. This museum is located in the former pumping station 'Vier Noorder Kogge' from 1869. Here you can experience what life was like about a hundred years ago when there was no electricity yet. Steam was then used to set all kinds of machines in motion, including the steam pumping station.
This route is one of the 31 selected routes for the May Cycling Month 2016. The May Cycling Month has been a major event for recreational cyclists for years. Every year in May, Route.nl provides cycling enthusiasts with beautiful cycling routes in collaboration with the tourist office and partners. Curious about the origins of this month for cycling enthusiasts?
Then read this article
Directions
| # | Description | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| VVV Enkhuizen e.o. (Stationsplein, 1601EM, Enkhuizen, North Holland, The Netherlands) | 0.00 km | |
30 | 30 (1601GK, Enkhuizen, North Holland, The Netherlands) | 0.34 km |
14 | 14 (1602HG, Enkhuizen, North Holland, The Netherlands) | 4.24 km |
15 | 15 (Dijkweg, 1619JA, Medemblik, North Holland, The Netherlands) | 11.55 km |
16 | 16 (Dijkweg, 1619JP, Medemblik, North Holland, The Netherlands) | 15.80 km |
57 | 57 (1693BM, Medemblik, North Holland, The Netherlands) | 17.98 km |
Sights
Nederlands Stoommachine Museum
Watergemaal 4
1671HJ Medemblik
http://www.stoommachinemuseum.nl
The Dutch Steam Engine Museum is located in the former pumping station 'Vier Noorder Koggen'. This pumping station dates from 1869. An important part of the museum is this installation, because the pumping station gives a good picture of how things were done over 100 years ago that we now do with electricity. Many people don't realize that steam has a lot of power. It is not without reason that the steam engine was the start of the great Industrial Revolution. In this museum you can see how much power steam has, but you also learn more about the how and why of the steam engine. You will find all kinds of different working steam engines in the museum. Curious how exactly such a steam engine works? Then join the Stoomlab. With miniature steam engines you learn to better understand how steam works. You can even run a miniature steam engine yourself. Opening times: from spring break to the end of October from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on Mondays. Open on Mondays during the holidays.
Station stoomtram Medemblik
This tram station has been preserved in its original state. The station was built in 1887. Near the tram station you will find the landing stage of the steamboat that sails from here to Enkhuizen. Make sure you are at the station half an hour before departure with the steam tram or steamboat.
Station stoomtram Hoorn
Ondeelbaar verlangen 8
1624 NP Hoorn
This tram station is one of the pick-up points for the museum steam tram. You can also visit the exhibition 'Time travel through the steam tram history' and children can go on a steam safari. This safari consists of a treasure hunt with all kinds of games in which you have to help the stoker, the goods worker or the dress-up lady. The steam tram station is located next to a parking lot, where you can park your car. The station is also close to a railway station. Make sure you are at the station in Hoorn half an hour before departure with the steam tram.
Museumstoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik
Historic steam trams run between the villages of Hoorn and Medemblik. Take a ride on the steam tram and you will automatically be taken to another time. The locomotive whistles, the fireman scoops coals on the fire, and the tram emits dark gray smoke. Just like before. The collection of steam tram locomotives of the Dutch Steam Engine Museum has been restored and put back on the rails to allow people to experience what tram transport used to look like. You will be taken on the tram for 20 kilometers, where you will learn the history of the steam tram. The railway from 1887 has been completely preserved including the original stations. Along the way you will visit the small stations Wognum, Nibbixwoud, Twisk and Opperdoes before arriving in Medemblik. In Hoorn you can visit the exhibition 'Time travel through the steam tram history' to learn more about the steam trams. In this way, a ride with the steam tram is not only very fun, but also educational.
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