Go to content

Cycling and hiking The Beemster

Two cyclists cycling on the Zuiddijk in the Beemster House on Rijperweg in Middenbeemster.

Cycling & walking in De Beemster - Discover the UNESCO landscape at your own pace

The Beemster is one of the most beautiful areas in North Holland for cycling and walking. Straight polder roads, historic villages, traditional farmhouses and sweeping views make every route special. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own pace and experience how centuries-old water management is still visible in the landscape.

Cycling route tip!

Discover the Beemster in a delicious way with the Local Produce Route. The route takes you past farm shops, local market stalls and retail outlets where you can buy fresh produce directly from the producers. Along the way, you’ll cycle through the open polder landscape and experience how the fertile clay soil has formed the basis for the flavours of the Beemster for centuries.

Discover the local produce route
Aerial view of The Proeftuin in De Beemster.

Cycling through De Beemster

The Beemster is perfect for exploring by bike. The long, straight roads take you past historic villages, characteristic thatched farmhouses and the distinctive grid pattern of the polder. Choose a route that suits your interests and discover the Beemster at your own pace.

Walking through De Beemster

Discover De Beemster step by step via one of the most beautiful walking routes through the polder. Walk along the ring dyke, past historic villages and through characteristic hamlets, or follow the straight roads that reveal the unique design of the land reclamation project. Along the way, you can enjoy the peace and quiet, the open spaces and the unique landscape of the Beemster.

  • Whale route

    Whale route Roadside trees during the Whale Trail

    The Whale Route offers views of old and new land, with greenery in...

    (8 km)

  • World heritage squared

    World heritage squared Fort Benoorden in Purmerend

    This walking route takes you through no less than two World Heritage Sites: Dry...

    (17 km)

  • Village walk Middenbeemster

    Village walk Middenbeemster People walking out of the Keyserkerk

    At the turn of the 16th/17th centuries, the expanding Beemster Lake st...

    (1.5 km)

  • Waterline path | Stage 1

    Waterline path | Stage 1 The entrance to the Fort on Nekkerweg

    The Waterline Path Stage 1 starts in picturesque Volendam, famously...

    (18.4 km)

  • Migratory bird trail | Stage 3

    Migratory bird trail | Stage 3 Photo of the Buizenhaven in De Rijp

    Stage three of the Migratory Bird Trail starts in the historic centre of Gr...

    (20.1 km)

  • Waterline path | Stage 2

    Waterline path | Stage 2 A woman guiding

    This stage takes you from Purmerend to Krommenie and offers a more fascinating...

    (20 km)

  • Ommetje Beetskoog-West

    Ommetje Beetskoog-West A fence in the meadow near the Ommetje Beetskoog-West

    This is a walk for nature lovers! During this route, you'll walk ...

    (9 km)

  • Put on the map | Walking route

    Put on the map | Walking route Beemster, put on the map sign nh church

    This walking route through De Beemster takes you past beautiful farm...

    (15 km)

  • Art on the map | The Beemster

    Art on the map | The Beemster The artwork Drawn for worried mind sleep for hunted child

    The Art on the Map walking route through De Beemster takes you along 16...

    (2 km)

  • Beemster Blossom Walk

    Beemster Blossom Walk Trees full of blossom

    This walk will show you how beautiful it is in De Beemster when the bloese...

    (11 km)

  • Walk around the Fort near Spijkerboor

    Walk around the Fort near Spijkerboor Family walking around Spijkerboor

    Hidden in the Beemster polder landscape, the Fort near Spijkerb...

    (1 km)

  • Owl corner route

    Owl corner route Beemster, Mijzerweg

    The Owl Corner Route is a circular walk along the Beemsterringdijk with a...

    (8 km)

  • Tree walk

    Tree walk A photo of Purmerend's canals with trees along them

    This walk will take you past and through Purm's historic town centre,...

    (3 km)

Make sure you’re well prepared before setting off

Ready to discover the Beemster? Plan your route carefully and find out where you can hire a bike, where you can take a break at a ‘Rustpunt’ (rest stop) along the way, and where the Tourist Transfer Points (TOPs) are located. That way, you’ll set off well prepared and make the most of your visit to the Beemster.

  • Bike rental

    Bikes in a row from Beemster Bike Rent

    Hire a bike and explore the Beemster at your own pace. From various hire points, you can cycle straight out into the open polder landscape, past historic villages, traditional farmhouses and sweeping views. It’s a relaxed way to start your journey.

    View bike hire

  • Rest stops

    The entrance to the De Boetserie rest area

    Fancy a quick break along the way? Scattered throughout the Beemster, you’ll find various rest stops where you’re welcome to stop off for a short break. A lovely spot to rest, have a bite to eat or a drink, and then carry on enjoying your route.

    View all rest stops

  • TOPs

    A woman watching at TOP Purmerend

    A Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) is a handy starting point for a cycling or walking route. Here, you can park easily and step straight into one of the most beautiful areas of the Beemster. From a TOP, you can easily follow the signposted routes through the polder.

    View all TOPs

Discover more about De Beemster

Each route tells a part of the Beemster’s story. Find out more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site, sample the polder’s local produce or be inspired by even more special experiences.

  • UNESCO World heritage

    A girl on the tower of the Keyserkerk looking out at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Beemster Polder.

    Discover how a dangerous inland lake was transformed into a unique polder landscape. Learn more about its history, its distinctive land-parcelling pattern and why the Beemster is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Discover world heritage

  • Taste The Beemster

    A man picking apples at the Proeftuin in Beemster

    Turn your cycling or walking trip into a tasty journey of discovery. Visit farm shops, sample local produce and discover where the flavours of the Beemster come from.

    Taste The Beemster

  • Experience De Beemster

    A girl on the tower of the Keyserkerk looking out at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Beemster Polder.

    From the Keyserklim and museums to special activities and day trips: discover even more ways to experience the Beemster and make your day complete.

    Experience De Beemster

This website uses cookies

This website uses cookies (Functional, Analytical, Marketing) which are necessary for the website to function as well as possible. By clicking accept, you indicate your agreement with this.