De Gezonde Stad has recently developed a new culinary trail: ‘Proef de Streek’. We were asked to test it and share our experiences. As the editorial team at the Laag Holland Tourist Office, we are, of course, only too happy to do so! In this experience blog, we’ll take you through our experience of the cycle route, which takes in the local produce shops in the Beemster, and provide a detailed overview of all the sights and tasty tips along the way.
The route
For Sofie, the Beemster is already familiar territory, as she lives in the region. But she has never explored the Beemster in this way before. For Myrthe, it’s also a completely new experience; living in Hoorn, she hasn’t yet visited this area. It’s great to have a new adventure so close to home.
We therefore believe that this cycle tour is a great way for both local residents and those from further afield to get to know the Beemster.
Let’s go cycling!
The route starts at Purmerend Centrum railway station. You can hire OV-fietsen here (*handy tip!). If the OV-fietsen are all booked out and you can’t bring your own bike, why not start the tour at Fort Resort Beemster or Bij Moeders in the Beemster? You can also hire bikes at both of these locations.
The route first passes through the centre of Purmerend, which we’d definitely like to explore at a later date! As soon as you cross the bridge to the Zuidoostbeemster , the lively bustle of the town quickly gives way to peace and space along the country lanes.
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1. The Biotheek
After just under 20 minutes, we spotted our first stop: the Biotheek on Nekkerweg. You can pop in here for a lovely cup of coffee and a homemade pastry. The Biotheek is open on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer season; unfortunately, we were there on a Thursday, so no cake for us this time.
Fortunately, the nearby tree garden is always open, so we took the time to visit it. It was remarkable to see how many different trees have found a home here. Sofie’s heart skipped a beat – she’s a real nature lover, after all.
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2. Sonnevanck Farm
Not long after, we’re already at the next location: Sonnevanck Farm. An organic meat farm, complete with its own little shop that has been in existence for generations. What a lovely place and such a sweet owner! She told us passionately about the farm and its rich history.
The mission here is clear: from farm to fork. Whilst she took plenty of time to chat with us, the place was pleasantly busy. It was clear that people were travelling from far and wide to get their hands on a piece of quality meat right here.
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3. CONO Cheese Makers
Next, we headed to perhaps the best-known business in the Beemster, Cono Kaasmakers; the makers of Beemster cheese. It soon became clear that they are not only committed to making delicious cheese, but also pay close attention to biodiversity. Special bee strips adorn the surroundings with cheerful little flowers, which the bees eagerly made use of.
In the shop, we immediately noticed the craftsmanship and hospitality of the cheesemakers. We were warmly greeted by the staff, who were busy restocking the cheese display. And it really is enormous; I don’t think we’ve ever seen so much cheese in one place. Sofie tasted the young-aged and mature cheeses, and of course we couldn’t go home empty-handed.
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4. Bij Moeders
Having clocked up quite a few kilometres, we were certainly ready for a tasty lunch, so off we went to our next stop. From the straight cycle paths, running alongside the parcelled-out polders, we cycled straight into the charming village of Middenbeemster. We stopped near the iconic Keyserkerk.
Here you’ll find Bij Moeders in the old sexton’s house. A lovely spot where local produce is sold and served by people with disabilities. We chose a lovely spot on the sun-drenched terrace. Owner Nancy spoke with love and passion about everything she does with Bij Moeders.
We enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee with a delicious gluten-free brownie. What a lovely place with such a homely feel – we’ll definitely be coming back more often! And that brownie comes highly recommended! We hop on our bikes and head off to the final stop.
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5. Beemsterlant’s Pig
In the distance, we can already see the flags of Beemsterlant’s Varken fluttering. A family farm right in the middle of the polder, where you can take a look inside the stables. Here, you’ll learn all about how the pigs are reared. We’ve learnt a lot of new things. It’s interesting for young and old alike to see how the family is taking steps towards organic farming.
Thanks to viewing panels on the sides and top of the various stables, you can see everything clearly. For the little ones, there are fun facts to discover all around, and they can colour in a picture to take home. Here too, the supply chain is short: you can buy the meat (to order) directly from the farm.
Practical information:
- Please check the opening times of the locations along the route in advance, as these may vary depending on the season.
- Hire a (public transport) bike at the NS station in Purmerend, Fort Resort Beemster in Zuidoostbeemster or Bij Moeders in Middenbeemster.
- Bring a (cycle) bag with you for the journey, so you can easily take home anything you come across along the route.
- Make sure you have some small change with you; sometimes there are extra stalls selling local produce along the way where you can only pay in cash.
What did we think of it?
We look back on a really lovely afternoon. The route in the leaflet is easy to follow. Along the way, we enjoyed not only the stops along the route but also the beautiful surroundings – from sheep and cows in the polder to a spontaneous and warm visit to the Beemster Museum, which just happens to be on the route!
All in all, cycling the route is a great way to spend an afternoon. Even though the route itself – at nearly 30 km – can be cycled in 1.5 hours, there’s plenty to see along the way to keep you occupied for a whole afternoon. It took us about 4.5 hours.
Do you, like us, love a cycle route where you can make enjoyable stops along the way, buy and sample local produce, and enjoy beautiful surroundings? Then we definitely recommend this route to you.
Download the official route map from the De Gezonde Stad website; we’ve included the link for you below.
