Bird watching in the polder
Between Castricum, Heemskerk and Uitgeest stretches a beautiful green and watery area. Over the centuries, this area has changed a lot. Yet many places in the landscape still refer back to the past and the history of this area is still clearly visible.
Not just stories of the past, but also stories set today. Thus, much is being done here to preserve the open meadow landscape and give historical stories a place.
This walking route takes you from Buitenpoort Castricum (station) through this beautiful area. Walking through the landscape, the points on the map tell you more about the past and the present. The original route is 19 km, but part of the route can also be walked: the Maer or Korendijk route (7 km) or the Blue Route from starting point Station Uitgeest (5.5 km).
Buitenpoort
This walking route starts at Buitenpoort Castricum (station). Buitenpoorten are public transport hubs close to beautiful landscapes, nature reserves and recreation areas. Thanks to their unique location, these 'Buitenpoorten' serve as gateways to the special landscape in the area. In this way, nature becomes accessible to everyone in a sustainable way!
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Castricummerpolder
After leaving Castricum, the meadows stretch out on both the left and right. Some years ago, some of these meadows were donated to the Hooge Weide Foundation.
Castricummerpolder
After leaving Castricum, the meadows stretch out on both the left and right. Some years ago, some of these meadows were donated to the Hooge Weide Foundation.
Thanks to this foundation, meadow birds are given the opportunity to thrive here and the continuity of agricultural nature management is ensured.
In the Castricummerpolder, the foundation is mainly committed to restoring and conserving the meadow bird population. Here, it is important that the area is open, extensive and spacious. Through targeted management measures, such as removing trees and bushes and keeping out foxes, and the shallow water areas, the Castricummerpolder attracts thousands of meadow and water birds. Today, the polder even counts more meadow birds than the national average! Especially in spring, this is a bustling place full of meadow birds, where the meadows are still strongly reminiscent of the past: dotted with flowers and the cheerful sound of whistling birds.
Bistro 't Schippersrijk
The a-la-carte restaurant on the Uitgeestermeer. Experience the relaxed atmosphere of Bistro 't Schippersrijk, where good food, good seating and personal service are the absolute number one priorities.
Bistro 't Schippersrijk
The a-la-carte restaurant on the Uitgeestermeer. Experience the relaxed atmosphere of Bistro 't Schippersrijk, where good food, good seating and personal service are the absolute number one priorities.
Bistro 't Schippersrijk is a restaurant that after many years has become a household name in the region. What started with a dream is after 28 years a great restaurant run by family Rijke. It all started in IJmuiden, where Sjaak started his own butcher's shop in 1985 with Carin by his side. When an old boat shed on Zaadnoordijk marina came up for sale in 1993, they set up a beautiful but small French bistro with heart and soul. The hobby grew into a great restaurant with - 28 years later - a lot to look back on.
A visit to the bistro is not complete without once tasting the famous, metre-long 'collection' or enjoying the, lovingly selected, beers and wines. Naturally, vegetarian meals are also served and Bistro 't Schippersrijk provides gluten and/or lactose-free dishes if desired.
Zwaansmeer recreation area
Recreation area Zwaansmeer is located at the southernmost tip of the Alkmaarder and Uitgeestermeer lake.
Zwaansmeer recreation area
Recreation area Zwaansmeer is located at the southernmost tip of the Alkmaarder and Uitgeestermeer lake.
Since the late 1980s, this recreational area has been built here. Besides the marina with small campsite, an area was created here with facilities for families with children, such as the shallow swimming lake with small beaches, sunbathing areas and play facilities. The surf bank and the De Blankert building, which houses the recreation authority's management organisation, also date from the 1980s.
At the beginning of the 21st century, Heritage Park de Hoop was built here and a few years ago provided with residential recreation, such as flats and safari tents, and the Restaurant Krelis. Thus, step by step, over time, this recreational area continues to develop. What will the future bring in terms of additional facilities for this area?
Monumental Wood Shed | Heritage Park de Hoop
On the Alkmaarder- and Uitgeestermeer lake lies Erfgoedpark de Hoop. Apart from accommodation, catering and water sports, here you will find one of the best preserved wood sheds in the Zaan region.
Monumental Wood Shed | Heritage Park de Hoop
Erfgoedpark de Hoop is located on the Alkmaarder- and Uitgeestermeer lake. Apart from accommodation, catering and water sports, here you will find one of the best preserved wood sheds in the Zaan region.
For years, this shed stood on Zuideinde in Westzaan, but since 2009, this provincial monument has been given a beautiful spot at the Heritage Park.
Today, the story of Cornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest - also known as Krelis Lootjes - is told in the woodshed (free admission), among other things. His invention of the sawmill played an important role in the industrial development of our country. In the woodshed, you can also learn more about the origins and habitation history of the OER-IJ and about the Alkmaarder and Uitgeestermeer lake. With a 'virtual periscope', you can go back in time and see the North Holland landscape as Cornelis experienced it four and a half centuries ago. It is a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of this inventor!
Restaurant Krelis
Located on Erfgoedpark de Hoop, between the Uitgeestermeer and Zwaansmeer lakes. A unique spot in the middle of nature and only five minutes from motorway A9.
Restaurant Krelis
Located on Erfgoedpark de Hoop, between the Uitgeestermeer and Zwaansmeer lakes. A unique spot in the middle of nature and only five minutes from motorway A9.
Cars park for free within walking distance, a sloop moors at the jetty and cyclists interrupt the popular cycle route to visit Krelis.
At Restaurant Krelis, everyone is welcome and they serve something for everyone: lunch and dinner in the atmospheric restaurant and, weather permitting, on the spacious terrace with wide views. A drink by the fireplace in the lounge with a view of the open kitchen. And with a large group, take a seat in one of our cosy rooms.
A morning, afternoon or evening at Krelis, a unique experience!
Restaurant Havenrijk
Restaurant Havenrijk has been located in a bell farm on the Zwaansmeerpolder marina in Uitgeest since 1970. The restaurant is surrounded by boats, water and a beautiful protected nature reserve.
Restaurant Havenrijk
Restaurant Havenrijk has been located in a bell farm on the Zwaansmeerpolder marina in Uitgeest since 1970. The restaurant is surrounded by boats, water and a beautiful protected nature reserve.
Restaurant Havenrijk has been a familiar address for residents of Uitgeest and the surrounding area to have lunch, drinks or dinner for many years. Havenrijk is located on a marina on the Uitgeestermeer. In winter, the fireplaces inside and outside provide extra cosiness and warmth. In summer, the terraces look perfect in the sun and there are plenty of shaded areas. The many boats and the flapping of masts create a cosy and pleasant atmosphere on the terraces.
The kitchen at Havenrijk Restaurant naturally works with fresh and honest products, which is why they buy as much as possible from local suppliers.
Havenrijk has several rooms and a beautiful covered outdoor location that lend themselves perfectly to weddings, parties and (business) meetings.
Furthermore, they are open all year round and the smallest guests are always welcome to do so. For them, there is a children's play corner in the restaurant and a playground just around the corner.
Visiting Havenrijk is enjoying your company in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Portly, out but still at home!
The Noorderveld
The Noorderveld is very popular with meadow birds. This area - with a water storage area of about 10 hectares - captures excess water from the dunes, protecting Heemskerk from flooding during wet periods.
The Noorderveld
The Noorderveld is very popular with meadow birds. This area - with a water storage area of about 10 hectares - captures excess water from the dunes, protecting Heemskerk from flooding during wet periods.
Due to the nature-friendly muddy bank around the repository, the area attracts various bird species, including various meadow birds, avocets, common terns and little plovers. To make the meadow bird's stay here as pleasant as possible, the meadow bird is taken into account in various ways. For instance, work is limited during the breeding season, the water level is kept high and the area is surrounded by a fox grid of no less than 2,000 metres. Besides the various (meadow) birds, the Noorderveld also has a wonderful variety of plant species, including the great rattle, cuckoo flower and sorrel
Maer- or Korendijk
Walking along the Korendijk, you are surrounded by green meadows. This dike - also known as Maerdijk - played an important role in protecting Castricum from the water for many years.
Maer- or Korendijk
Walking along the Korendijk, you are surrounded by green meadows. This dike - also known as Maerdijk - played an important role in protecting Castricum from the water for many years.
The word 'Maer' probably comes from 'maet' or 'maat', referring to hay land. Possibly the dike - besides preventing floods - also served as an elevated access road to the swampy hay fields. At the time, people drove here with a horse-drawn wagon - loaded with hay - over the dike. Interestingly, on a map of 1680, the Korendijk is written as Cooredijck. 'Coore' or 'Koren' can be associated with 'keur' or 'schouw', indicating that maintenance of the dike was probably checked regularly. Today, the Maer- or Korendijk forms a boundary between Castricum and Heemskerk and you can take lovely walks here
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