Ode to the Weidemolens / Part 2 - West

About the route

The route starts at junction 73, opposite the Zaanse Schans, but can be started at any point along the route if desired. During this route you will get to know the beautiful nature of the Zaan region. The Weidemolens have the leading role. There are nice places along the way to stop, to marvel and to enjoy a bite to eat and a drink. Have fun cycling!

About the Meadow Mills

On the (white) islands in the peat meadow areas that surround us, wooden and iron windmills stand proud in the landscape. They seem to have been put there for the composition of your photo, but even today they still have an important task in managing and maintaining the peat meadow area.

For centuries, the meadow mills have been used to regulate the water level per piece of land. The function of the mills is twofold. They use wind power to remove the excess water from the ditches and keep the pasture passable for cows and mowers. Without grazing and mowing, the open landscape would soon turn into low moor forest. With all its consequences for the historically valuable landscape that is so popular with meadow birds, such as our national bird, the black-tailed godwit. The meadow mills also grind up the water in drier periods so that the meadows do not become too wet, but also do not become too dry.

Some highlights along the route

Honig Breethuis

Numerous monuments can be found on the Lagedijk, where the route starts and ends. You will pass nice restaurants, a brewery, a chocolate shop and Het Honig Breethuis. This is a museum at Lagedijk 80 in Zaandijk. It functions as a period room and shows the house on the Zaan, in which generations of the well-to-do Honig and Breet families, manufacturers of white paper, lived.

Water tower

The Watertoren is the oldest preserved water tower in North Holland. It is an iconic building in the Zaan landscape. The Watertoren is now used as an event location.

Windmill De Paauw near Nauerna

De Paauw is a hemp beater. In such mills, hemp and other fiber products were treated (\\'beech\\\') by means of pestles in such a way that the semi-finished product that was created there could then be used in rope and sail makers.

Polder Westzaan

The low moor in Polder Westzaan consists of fresh and saline (brackish) environments. These transitions are unique in the Netherlands and Europe. There is a lot of variation, with swamp areas, meadow areas and open water. As a result, there are also many special animals, such as marsh birds and the northern vole in the reed lands, meadow birds on the densely populated grasslands and the bitterling and small loach in the waters. European top nature, farms and walking, cycling, canoeing and sailing routes come together here. The rural area is increasingly becoming an integral part of the entire city.