Nature and tradition in the Ilperveld
During the Cows Out Days at Hardebol Farm in Landsmeer, you can sail with the boatman through the Ilperveld. In a special boat, you will sail together with the cows that are taken to their summer pastures for the first time in spring. As the boat quietly glides through the watery landscape, you will see how this age-old tradition is still carried out. Along the way, there is room to watch, listen and learn about the area, nature and meadow birds. An experience where tranquillity, agriculture and landscape come together.
From silence to movement
The Ilperveld is an area I like to return to. Every time, the landscape shows me something new, or something old that takes on new meaning. Yet there was one experience I had not yet had: sailing along with a boater.
This centuries-old craft uses a flatboat, a simple boat used to transport cows between the islands for generations. In spring 2025, I decided to go along during the Cows Out Days at Hardebol Nature Farm, curious to see what this tradition feels like in practice.
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Slowly off the quay
Before leaving, the calves were ready. Curious, a little uncomfortable, but remarkably calm. One by one, they carefully stepped onto the boat. As soon as the boat detached from the quay and the water started moving, something seemed to change. The calves became quieter, as if the rhythm of the water calmed them down automatically.
Farmer Henk explained that young cows often relax as soon as they set sail. As he spoke, the landscape slowly glided by: reed beds, open water and, in the distance, the sound of birds. It was a silent trip, where everything invited watching and observing. No rush, no distractions, just the water and the landscape unfolding bit by bit.
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Where peace turns into freedom
After a short boat ride, we reached the summer meadow. As soon as the flap went down, calmness turned into pure energy. The calves ran onto the island, visibly happy with the space and fresh grass. Four of them enthusiastically splashed into the ditch.
One calf even kept swimming longer, with a determination that felt almost comical. It was one of those moments when you automatically stop and think: animals choosing their own path, playing and curious, in the middle of a landscape that offers plenty of room for that.
Connection between tradition and nature
What makes this experience special is the way tradition and nature come together here. The boatman is not only a practical solution for transporting cows, but also an example of how people have been adapting to the landscape for centuries. Cruising along gives you a different perspective on agriculture, not as something grand and hasty, but as something that moves with the environment.
Reflection and inspiration
When I think back to this morning in the Ilperveld, I again feel that calm attention. Sailing with the boatman not only introduced me to a craft, but also to a different way of looking at things. To animals, to nature and to our place in it.
Perhaps that is what makes the Ilperveld so special: it invites you to slow down, observe and reconnect with what has been there for generations. An experience that provides not only tranquillity, but also inspiration to keep looking at the landscape around us with different eyes.
Practical tips for your boating trip
- Book in time: the Cows Out Days take place on limited days.
- Dress for the weather: It can be cooler on the water than on the shore.
- Take your time: stay in the area for a while afterwards to let the experience sink in.
- Nature observation: Bring binoculars to take a closer look at birds and aquatic plants.
Frequently asked questions
During these days, cows are brought to their summer pastures for the first time in spring. In the Ilperveld, this is done partly by boat, following a centuries-old tradition.
The tour starts at Hardebol Nature Farm in Landsmeer and leads through the Ilperveld.
The total trip takes about an hour, including round trip.
Yes, provided children can stay calm on board and are interested in animals and nature.
During the Cows Out Days at Hardebol Farm, you can take a boat trip with the boatman in the spring. The exact dates vary each year.