Boot trail route
This walking route takes you from Broek in Waterland along the Broekervaart canal and right through the Varkensland nature reserve. Nice to know that the Laarzenpadroute is named after the swampy footpath along the southern edge of the nature reserve.
Before you head into the vast polder, you start your walk on the Havenrak in picturesque Broek in Waterland. In the Golden Age, rich merchants from Amsterdam settled in this original bargee village. Simple cottages became colourful show houses and Broek in Waterland became one of the most prosperous villages in Waterland. All sorts of colours were used to embellish the buildings. When prosperity declined and it became too expensive to paint all the houses in these colours, residents decided to use the cheaper grey primer as a finishing coat. You can still find these colourful Waterland-style houses on the Havenrak. What a picture huh!
After you ve Broek in Waterland..
Before you head into the vast polder, you start your walk on the Havenrak in picturesque Broek in Waterland. In the Golden Age, rich merchants from Amsterdam settled in this original bargee village. Simple cottages became colourful show houses and Broek in Waterland became one of the most prosperous villages in Waterland. All sorts of colours were used to embellish the buildings. When prosperity declined and it became too expensive to paint all the houses in these colours, residents decided to use the cheaper grey primer as a finishing coat. You can still find these colourful Waterland-style houses on the Havenrak. What a picture huh!
After leaving Broek in Waterland, walk along the Broekermeerdijk towards the canal neighbourhood 't Schouw. This neighbourhood is named after the type of barge people used to use to cross the canal here towards Landsmeer. The dike you are now walking on is the ring dike of the Broekermeer lake, which was drained in 1628. Along this dike, there are many farms and residential chapels; old and new mixed together.
At 't Schouw, turn right onto Kanaaldijk. Across the Kanaaldijk, you set course towards picturesque Watergang. This ribbon village is characterised by its black-tiled hay houses and even has the narrowest dorpsstraat in the Netherlands. Walking along the Kanaaldijk, you may already catch a glimpse of the Pig Country you will soon be walking through.
Indeed, most of this route runs along the Varkensland trail, through the Varkensland nature reserve. Also known as the Watergangse veld. Formerly a boating area, the Varkensland is now part of the Natura 2000 area Ilperveld, Varkensland, Oostzanerveld & Twiske. Black-tailed godwits and other meadow birds love this area and use it as their breeding and roosting ground. Varkensland is also home to fantastic peat moors with wild orchids and other beautiful plants. It is great hiking here!
Important information:
- For this route, follow the posts with the red markings/arrows. Also note the white poles in the country as they indicate bridges or crossings. Check the specific route description on the website of Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland.
- Dogs are not allowed on this route.
- The route is not accessible from 15 March to 15 June due to the breeding season.
- This is a route of the Twiske-Waterland recreation board.
Tip: Do you encounter a defect along the way? Then report it very easily in the Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland app or via www.meldpuntroutes.nl.
Take a closer look
You are going to see this
Starting point
Junction 11
Nieuwland
1161 Broek in Waterland
Navigate to starting point
Breeding season
In the period from 15 March to 15 June, all or part of this route is closed due to the breeding season.
Breeding season
In the period from 15 March to 15 June, all or part of this route is closed due to the breeding season.
The Broeker House
Eat, celebrate, get lost (and linger).
The Broeker House
Eat, celebrate, get lost (and linger).
In the heart of Broek in Waterland you will find Het Broeker Huis - a 17th-century monument full of flavour, atmosphere and stories. Once built for the villagers. Now open to everyone. Here you lunch at long tables, say 'I do' under the trees, meet under a monumental roof and sleep next to the romantic courtyard garden.
Restaurant, wedding venue, meeting place and B&B - all in one characterful building with perhaps the most beautiful terrace in Waterland.
Lunch and dinner at Het Broeker Huis
Chef Thijs Steur (Vuurtoreneiland, Lastage) cooks on wood fire - locally, in season and without fuss. No 'concept', no 'experience'. No 'passion', just fire. You eat here overlooking the canal, with your kids in the play corner or with friends at the bar lingering until the sun goes down.
Weddings, parties and meetings
A party in the Regency Room. A drink in the courtyard. A brainstorm in the Garden Room. Or getting married in the green open air and dancing until after midnight. At Het Broeker Huis, (almost everything) is possible - and nothing is required. Four rooms full of character, a large courtyard garden, peace and quiet - just a stone's throw from Amsterdam.
Spend the night in the Broeker House
From summer 2025, you can stay overnight in our B&B on the courtyard garden. A monumental house of 110 m² with two bedrooms, spacious living room, luxurious bathroom, private kitchen and breakfast by chef Thijs. Ideal for bridal couples, families, party guests or those just not yet home.
The Broeker Church
Broek in Waterland s church is a meeting place for the whole village. The church is open daily to everyone, Broekers and visitors alike.
The Broeker Church
Broek in Waterland s church is a meeting place for the whole village. The church is open daily to everyone, Broekers and visitors alike.
Settle down on the terrace (indoors or outdoors) and enjoy coffee/tea with sweets or a simple lunch. You can also browse through the second-hand books and records here, or admire the exhibition. And above all, enjoy the permanent exhibition offered by our beautiful monumental church itself!
Looking inside
From May to September, the church is open to visitors. Come in and admire the unique painted ceiling, the beautiful pulpit and the impressive organ. Volunteers can tell you all about the history of the church. For example, about the famous Neeltje Pater. Her gravestone shows her wealth... Also take a look at the stained-glass window, in which you can read the history of the church like a comic strip.
Extra
The church can be hired for events, concerts and exhibitions. Booklets for a walking tour of Broek in Waterland are available at the church.
- 11
- 78
- 79
- 1
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 11