Geestmerambacht - Kleimeer and Koedijk

A varied walk through the North Holland landscape.

Highlights along the way include: Kleimeer nature reserve, the characteristic old ribbon village of Koedijk, the North Holland Canal, the Saskervaart and the De Groene Oase food forest.

Kleimeer nature reserve

In the first part of the route you walk along the edge of the (not accessible) Kleimeer nature reserve.

Contrary to what the name suggests, Kleimeer is not a lake at all. It once was, but in 1567 this lake, located in North Holland just above Alkmaar, was emptied by mills. The agricultural land that was created here has now made way for nature and many birds.

In summer you can see marsh harriers here in search of food for their young. Other breeding birds of the Kleimeer include reed bunting, bearded man, water rail and mustache. And in winter, when the land is barren, the bittern sometimes shows up in the early morning. But more often he can be heard alone: his dull whooping sound is more like a cross between a steamboat and the lowing of a cow in the distance.

https://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/uit-in-de-natuur/locations/kleimeer

Then you walk towards the North Holland Canal and the (former) ribbon village of Koedijk.

Along the way you will find a number of interesting places.

Gondola Association Koedijk - Smidspad 7, Koedijk

A gondola ride has been held in Koedijk on the ^3rd Saturday of August for more than 60 years. An impressive spectacle of self-built, illuminated gondolas sailing over the canal in the evening. It is the highlight of a fun village festival that lasts an entire weekend.

https://www.gondelvaartkoedijk.nl/

Amateur Gardeners Association Koedijk - Nauertogt 3, Koedijk

Shortly before you enter Koedijk, you pass another allotment garden complex on the left.

Koedijk

The original core of Koedijk consists of an approximately 4 km long ribbon development along the North Holland Canal. Koedijk was expanded considerably from the 1970s onwards. The place is now largely attached to the city of Alkmaar. There is an old cemetery near the black wooden church (1948). There are several old farms along the canal and the picturesque 19th-century Koedijkervlot Bridge spans the canal (not directly on this route).

You will also find two windmills on the canal in the village: De Gouden Engel and de Sluismolen.

Food forest and fruit garden De Groene Oase (5 ha) - Kanaaldijk 1, Koedijk

In the last part of the walk you can deviate from the route to take a look at the De Groene Oase food forest. The entrance is located on the North Holland Canal.

(instead of turning right to walking route 39, walk straight along the canal for a while, see route map)

On Mondays and Fridays (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) there are usually people here who have time for a chat, a cup of coffee and/or possibly a tour.

https://www.degroeneoase.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/stichtingdegroeneoase/