Waterline path | Stage 2
This stage takes you from Purmerend to Krommenie and offers fascinating views of the defences along the Noordhollands Kanaal.
This stage lets you discover, among other things, the impressiveFort near Spijkerboor, an 1887 fortress that is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and known for its huge 20,000-kilo gun turret. Fort Spijkerboor, one of the largest forts in the Defence Line, offers a good insight into the military life of the late 19th century and is often open to visitors.
Along the way, you pass the distinctive North Holland cheese-cover farmhouses and the historic inundation dyke at Krommenie. This dyke illustrates the ingenuity of the defence strategy of the Hollandse Waterlinies, in which surrounding areas could be flooded to stop enemies. Stage 2 thus provides a wonderful picture of the hydraulic engineering feats that protected the Netherlands for centuries and is a must for lovers of history and nature.
About the Waterline Trail
The Waterline Trail, also known as LAW17, is a uni...
This stage lets you discover, among other things, the impressiveFort near Spijkerboor, an 1887 fortress that is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and known for its huge 20,000-kilo gun turret. Fort Spijkerboor, one of the largest forts in the Defence Line, offers a good insight into the military life of the late 19th century and is often open to visitors.
Along the way, you pass the characteristic North Holland cheese-cover farmhouses and the historic inundation dyke near Krommenie. This dyke illustrates the ingenuity of the defence strategy of the Hollandse Waterlinies, in which surrounding areas could be flooded to stop enemies. Stage 2 thus provides a wonderful picture of the hydraulic engineering feats that protected the Netherlands for centuries and is a must for lovers of history and nature.
About the Waterliniepad
The Waterliniepad, also known as LAW17, is a unique walking route that runs from Volendam to Dordrecht. The path follows the historical defence lines, including the Defence Line of Amsterdam and both the Old and New Dutch Waterline. It offers hikers an impressive journey through the Netherlands, past strategic forts, locks, and dykes that were built at the time to protect the country from enemy incursions.
Also check out Stage 1 of the Waterliniepad.
Important information
- For this route, follow the familiar white-red markings.
- This is a route from the Walking Network.
You are going to see this
Inundation sluice in South Beemster ring dyke
The Inundation Lock is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and was constructed by the Department of War between 1890 and 1891.
Inundation sluice in South Beemster ring dyke
The Inundation Lock is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and was constructed by the Department of War between 1890 and 1891.
The sluice formed the main point in the water control of the Beemster polder and was built for the purpose of "flooding the Beemster polder". It consisted of a sluice section in the dyke body and then a bowl section in the upper Beemster polder. Water from the North Holland Canal was let into the polder via this bowl. When the polder was flooded in 1940, it was done via this lock. After its military function ceased, the lock fell into disuse. The openings on the canal side were sealed with concrete and the sluiceways and discharge bed with earth.
Fort along Middenweg
The fort on Middenweg is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Hollandse Waterlinies'. This defensive line of forts was built 15 to 20 kilometres around Amsterdam between 1880 and 1914.
Fort along Middenweg
The fort on Middenweg is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Hollandse Waterlinies'. This defensive line of forts was built 15 to 20 kilometres around Amsterdam between 1880 and 1914.
The fort is located on the southern ring dyke of polder De Beemster. The North Holland Canal runs behind the fort and the dike. An inundation sluice for the Beemster is located east of the fort. The purpose of the fort was to seal off and defend the accesses formed by the Middenweg and Zuiddijk roads. The original situation around the fort has been preserved: open polder landscape outside the Defence Line and the dike and canal inside the Defence Line.
The fort was used as a warehouse complex from unknown date until after 1974 and on 1-12-1950 as a gunpowder magazine. Later used by Eurometaal (vm Artillerie Inrichtingen); still in use in 1980/1983. Narrow gauge track was present for this purpose.
Facilities for a Detention and Residence Camp for political offenders were partially made in 1946 but the fort was not used as a camp.
Flora & Fauna are of great natural value. Due to strong temperature changes on the barren fort site, distinct dune vegetation occurs here. To be found are, among others, Wall Pepper, Sand Wall, Common Wallow, Jacob's Cross and Rough forget-me-not. Also found are Wolf's-foot, Red-water-herb and Pennywort. Long-eared owl and freshwater prawn are also residents of the nature reserve around the fort.
A special feature of this fort was the washroom for the soldiers. An ingenious system cleans rainwater before it enters the wash basins. The sinks themselves can be tipped over so that the dirty water flows away.
The Fort on Middenweg can be admired but not visited.
Fort on Jisperweg
The fort is located along the southern ring dyke of De Beemster polder. The North Holland Canal runs behind the fort and the dyke. The fort had until the closure and defence of the access to it." (The Jisperweg.)
Fort on Jisperweg
The fort is located along the southern ring dyke of De Beemster polder. The North Holland Canal runs behind the fort and the dyke. The fort had until the closure and defence of the access to it." (The Jisperweg.)
Commissioned in 1918 as a military house for about 20 detainees, not being conscientious objectors, of the court martial. Other detainees were locked up in the Fort along Nekkerweg or the Fort near Spijkerboor. From the ring dyke, the access road leads to the fort's throat side. The fort watchman's house and the iron storage shed are
no longer present.
A moat surrounds the entire fort; the access bridge is no longer present and has been replaced by a single dam. The main building has a door on the throat side and two windows with steel shutters to each room. The room leading to the pottery has a large double steel door. The front wall is still present and contains four machine gun emplacements and in the middle front, instead of a front building, a lifting turret building.
The nature reserve around the fort houses unusual birds such as the Golden Oriole and the Great Owl, among others. Particular plants include the Ground Featherweed, Ringleaf Vetch and Blue Woodruff.
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.
Fort near Krommeniedijk
The fort near Krommeniedijk, better known as Fort K'ijk, has a rich history as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
Fort near Krommeniedijk
The fort near Krommeniedijk, better known as Fort K'ijk, has a rich history as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
Here too, the land could be flooded, requiring war vehicles to cross the dyke and be highly visible to shoot at. Today, the fort is an experience centre where you can get information about the fort, the surrounding landscape and nature. Across the Cromme IJe, now known as the Crommenije, there used to be a ferry. But since the construction of the provincial road in 1933, there has been a road with a bridge to reach the picturesque ribbon village of Krommeniedijk. This is where you will cross on the way back.
Note: Continue to junction 38.
