Migratory bird trail | Stage 3
Stage three of the Migratory Birds Trail starts in the historic centre of Graft. After leaving this cosy village, you soon walk into the next surprising village: De Rijp.
This is one of the most beautiful villages in the area and also the birthplace of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater.In the centre of De Rijp you can enjoy monumental buildings such as the town hall, the old church and (suit)houses that remind you of the Golden Age.
From De Rijp you walk through the Beemster polder towards Oost Knollendam. This is followed by the Zaanse Schans, where the harnessing of wind power created an extensive food industry with mills and warehouses.
On this beautiful stage, you will encounter various birds such as the black-tailed godwit and lapwing. With a bit of luck, you may spot one (or more) bitterns in the Wormer- and Jisperveld, the largest interconnected peat meadow area in Western Europe. Watch carefully though, because they don't like to be seen...
Important information:
- Download the...
This is one of the most beautiful villages in the area and also the birthplace of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater.In the centre of De Rijp you can enjoy monumental buildings such as the town hall, the old church and (suit)houses that remind you of the Golden Age.
From De Rijp you walk through the Beemster polder towards Oost Knollendam. This is followed by the Zaanse Schans, where the harnessing of wind power created an extensive food industry with mills and warehouses.
On this beautiful stage, you will encounter various birds such as the black-tailed godwit and lapwing. With a bit of luck, you may spot one (or more) bitterns in the Wormer- and Jisperveld, the largest interconnected peat meadow area in Western Europe. Watch carefully though, because they don't like to be seen...
Important information:
- Download the GPX file and/or PDF of the route before heading out.
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TOP De Rijp
TOPs, short for Tourist Transfer Points, offer a convenient start to your exploration of the rural area. Each TOP provides parking facilities, after which you can explore the area by bike, on foot or even by boat
TOP De Rijp
TOPs, short for Tourist Transfer Points, offer a convenient start to your exploration of the rural area. Each TOP provides parking facilities, after which you can explore the area by bike, on foot or even by boat
On the information kiosks at each TOP you will find various routes that lead you to the most beautiful spots, peaceful surroundings and beautiful nature of Laag Holland. During your tour, you will pass surprising resting points and cosy catering establishments, and the TOPs show you the way to find them. You can recognise the TOPs by their green information columns.
The Land of Leeghwater, named after the famous Golden Age hydraulic engineer Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater, comprises the peat meadow area of the Eilandspolder amidst the Schermer and Beemster reclaimed land. De Rijp, originally located on the Schermer Island, moved to the banks of the Beemster Lake in the 15th century, where it became a prosperous village and is known as 'the best village in Holland'. Leeghwater's birthplace is still praised for its beautiful architecture and urban planning, and is designated a protected village conservation area for its well-preserved historical value.
Museum Jan Boon
The Walhuis dates from 1725. Here you will find a small exhibition of records of Jan Boon, the last shipowner of De Rijp.
Museum Jan Boon
The Walhuis dates from 1725. Here you will find a small exhibition of records of Jan Boon, the last shipowner of De Rijp.
The Boon family was mainly involved in fishing, both whaling and herring fishing. After more than 100 years of vacancy, it was decided in 1983 to restore the former barn - the Walhuis (1725) - and give it a socio-cultural purpose. Here you will find an exhibition on the life and work of Jan Boon junior.
About Museum Jan Boon
Jan Boon's estate included not only various business assets, but also movable and immovable property that could be counted as private property of the Boon family. These items included documents of a personal nature, such as letters, a family bible, various household effects and a large collection of nautical maps by renowned Dutch cartographers. Some of the items were kept in the Society's premises and others in a barn (now the Walhuis) by the water. The condition of the items was, in many cases, downright poor. Stamps and parts of texts had been cut away, probably at the hands of the children of the various directors. Moreover, mould and mice and insects did not improve the condition of these documents. Documents were also given to third parties for inspection without any records.
After the foundation of the Rijper"Museum In 't Houten Huis" in 1937, it was decided to loan several pieces to the museum. Part of this collection is on permanent display there in the "living room" to this day.
De Rijp town hall
In the historic centre of De Rijp stands the centuries-old Town Hall of De Rijp. This beautiful building was designed by Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater in 1630.
De Rijp town hall
In the historic centre of De Rijp stands the centuries-old Town Hall of De Rijp. This beautiful building was designed by Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater in 1630.
Despite the fire in January 1654, the building has been beautifully preserved. Fortunately for us, because this still allows us to enjoy it to this day.
In the Council House, there are many other beautiful things to see. For example, on the ground floor you will find a weighing facility, also known as De Waag. This is where cattle and agricultural and industrial products used to be weighed. How cool is that! Besides The Weigh House, there is much more to see in the Town Hall. Think for instance of an original 17th-century fire hose by Jan van der Heijden, portrait of Jan Boon (richest shipowner in De Rijp), portrait of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater and more.
De Rijp 's VVV is currently located in the Town Hall and is a popular wedding, meeting and presentation venue. The ground floor is freely accessible. A guided tour of the entire building requires an appointment.
Fort near Spijkerboor
The fort near Spijkerboor was the main fort in the northern front of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. From here, the highly strategic dykes around the Beemsterringvaart and the North Holland Canal were defended.
Fort near Spijkerboor
The fort near Spijkerboor was the main fort in the northern front of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. From here, the highly strategic dykes around the Beemsterringvaart and the North Holland Canal were defended.
The Fort near Spijkerboor was therefore equipped with the heaviest artillery of any fort in this part of the front. At the front, a rotating armoured turret was even fitted with two pieces of artillery of 10.5-centimetre calibre with a range of no less than ten kilometres. This turret and artillery are still present and can also be visited.
The two-storey fort building was used as a prison several times after the First World War. The bars in front of the windows and the interior murals date from those periods.
In 2026, the fort will reopen its doors for viewing! On these days, you can join guided tours, or set off on your own via a marked walking route.
Wormer and Jisperveld
A few kilometres from Amsterdam and the busy Randstad is the tranquil Wormer- en Jisperveld. With hundreds of meadows surrounded by reeds and narrow ditches, the peat meadow area is a patchwork of water and land.
Wormer and Jisperveld
A few kilometres from Amsterdam and the busy Randstad is the tranquil Wormer- en Jisperveld. With hundreds of meadows surrounded by reeds and narrow ditches, the peat meadow area is a patchwork of water and land.
The contrasts here are great. On the horizon you can see the factories and silos, while in the middle of the field the sundew and rare orchids grow peacefully. At 2,000 hectares, the peat meadow area is the largest continuous peat meadow area in Western Europe. Pretty cool! Part of the nature reserve has also been declared a Natura 2000 area under the name Wormer- en Jisperveld & Kalverpolder.
The Wormer and Jisperveld is not only popular among people, but birds also love this peat meadow area. In spring, many meadow birds settle here for the breeding season. Besides meadow birds, you will also find reed, marsh and birds of prey. The perfect place to spot birds from a distance!
Rusk Tower
The tower marks an important piece of history of Wormer/Jisp at the time of the whaling and rusk-baking industries.
Rusk Tower
The tower marks an important piece of history of Wormer/Jisp at the time of the whaling and rusk-baking industries.
The baking of rusks largely took place in wooden buildings. To prevent fire, it was decided by the municipal council on 20 December 1605 that the fireplaces of the ovens had to remain extinguished between 6pm-24am to prevent overheating. After first the night watchman signalled the time signals with his radel through the village, later the church bell signalled it. However, because in the western part of the village the church bell could not be heard properly in certain wind directions, an additional detached bell tower was built in 1620.
