Historic Hoorn and the beautiful surroundings

There are many beautiful cities around the Markermeer with a fascinating history. This route takes you through Hoorn, where it seems as if time has stood still. You also cycle along the shore of the Markermeer.

VOC history in Hoorn
The starting point for this cycle route is the parking lot at Spierdijk. From here you cycle to Hoorn. The harbor in Hoorn in particular is a real gem. Take a moment to admire all the houses with beautiful facades and the historic buildings around you. Here you can clearly see that Hoorn used to be important for the powerful Dutch East India Company. Ships came and went in this port continuously in the 17th and 18th centuries. You can also see the influence of this in the center of Hoorn.
You then cycle along the Markermeer for a while before cycling back to Spierdijk via the other side of Hoorn and via Wognum. Also try route 381676 if you want to explore the area further by bike.

The Markermeer
The Markermeer was originally part of the Zuiderzee. In 1932, the Afsluitdijk was built to close off the current IJsselmeer from the Wadden Sea. A dike was then built between 1963 and 1976 between the IJsselmeer and the current Markermeer. The lake is named after the Marken peninsula that lies on the edge of the lake. The original intention was to drain the Markermeer, but this was abandoned because it is an important habitat for birds.