Waterline path | Stage 1
The Waterline Path Stage 1 starts in picturesque Volendam, famous for its traditional costumes and eel smokehouses, and marks the start of a long-distance hike covering over 300 kilometres in total.
This first stage takes you along the Purmerringvaart canal to the village of Kwadijk, a characteristic ribbon village whose landmark is the tall water tower that towers above the polder landscape. Here you walk through an authentic part of the Netherlands, where narrow canals and vast green fields shape the surroundings.
The route continues past Fort benoorden Purmerend, an important part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. This fort dates from 1912 and contains a bombproof main building, typical of the military architecture of the early 20th century. Finally, the stage ends at the Fort on Nekkerweg, a defensive structure that, although built in a modern era for the period, makes an impressive contribution to the long line of forts and waterworks along the route.
About the Waterline Trail
The Waterline Trail, also known as LAW17, is a unique ...
This first stage takes you along the Purmerringvaart canal to the village of Kwadijk, a characteristic ribbon village whose landmark is the tall water tower that towers above the polder landscape. Here you walk through an authentic part of the Netherlands, where narrow canals and vast green fields shape the surroundings.
The route continues past Fort benoorden Purmerend, an important part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. This fort dates from 1912 and includes a bombproof main building, typical of the military architecture of the early 20th century. Finally, the stage ends at the Fort on Nekkerweg, a defensive structure that, although built in a modern era for the period, makes an impressive contribution to the long line of forts and waterworks along the route.
About the Waterline Trail
The Waterline Trail, 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 2 of the Waterline Trail.
Important information:
- For this route, follow the familiar white-red markings.
- This is a route from the Walking Network.
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Fort near Edam
The Fort near Edam is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, part of UNESCO World Heritage Site the Dutch Waterlines, and was one of the last forts developed for this unique line of defence.
Fort near Edam
The Fort near Edam is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, part of UNESCO World Heritage Site the Dutch Waterlines, and was one of the last forts developed for this unique line of defence.
Compared to many other forts within the Defence Line of Amsterdam, the Fort near Edam is a relatively modern type of fort. The fort is distinguished from the older types by the use of (partially) reinforced instead of unreinforced concrete. At the same time, the fort has a few other notable deviations from the so-called B-type. In Edam, for instance, there are no short side fronts with lifting turrets. And the machine gun block in front of the front building gave way in Edam to an armoured casemate. This casemate was connected to the main building (a so-called poterne) by a corridor covered with concrete and steel. In the main building, especially in the kitchen, many of the original contents remain, including the large cooking kettles and boilers.
The fort can be visited with or without an accompanying guide. However, not all parts of the fort's building and grounds are accessible to visitors. This is indicated with signs, fences and ropes. Moreover, the fortress is located in a nature reserve protected by the Forestry Commission. Visitors are therefore requested to respect the peace and quiet and follow the instructions of the volunteers. Want to know more? Then visit the Fort near Edam website.
Fort near Kwadijk
The fort at Kwadijk was never fully completed. The earthworks, ramparts and moat were finished in 1895. But with the actual fort, they never got beyond part of the foundations. Construction work ceased in 1914.
Fort near Kwadijk
The fort at Kwadijk was never fully completed. The earthworks, ramparts and moat were finished in 1895. But with the actual fort, they never got beyond part of the foundations. Construction work ceased in 1914.
Temporary so was the intention, but the work was never resumed after that. By 1916, a significant part of the ramparts had already been excavated again. The earth was used to fill sandbags needed that year for an emergency reinforcement of the dykes in the area. In 1962, the remains of the foundations were also removed. The only remaining buildings are the engineer depot and the fort watchman's house.
The 1884 design involved the construction of a bastioned fort with three buildings. This model was also intended for the forts in the Beemster. The fort was never equipped with bombproof buildings but was provided with earthen ramparts according to "the Small Plan". The bombproof buildings were to be built according to Model B and the foundations and floors had been started. The sand from the earthworks disappeared in two stages: during the 1916 flood disaster for sandbags; and in 1959 for the construction of roads and dams when the Zeevang polder was redeveloped. Finally, in 1962, the foundations and floors were removed, the ramparts excavated and the moat filled in. The fort moat and island are no longer recognisable.
Fort Benoorden | Purmerend
Fort Benoorden 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 Benoorden | Purmerend
Fort Benoorden 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.
Within this ring, the army, government and king could retreat in case of (possible) attacks on the Netherlands. An ingenious system allowed the land around the defence line to be flooded. Too shallow for boats and too deep for men and horses. Five forts and an inundation sluice of this defence line are located in De Beemster.
This fort was built to defend the vulnerable points formed by the Beemsterringdijk, Purmerenderweg and Rijperweg roads. The defensible earthwork was completed in 1895. The bombproof main building from 1912 is connected by covered corridors to the two lifting turret buildings. Today, wine is stored between the thick walls of this fort, as a wine importer has been located here since 1981.
The fort north of Purmerend was only added to the Defence Line of Amsterdam at a late stage (1907). The construction of this fort, which is part of the northern front of the Defence Line, made use of several new insights. One of the novelties applied was the construction of so-called poternes - corridors covered with steel and concrete - which formed a completely safe connection between the main building and the artillery units.
Poternes were constructed to the two lifting turrets, which housed the large artillery pieces, and to the machine gun emplacements set up at the front. On the right side of the fort's front, part of the terrain was excavated. This was done when a new access road was built.
Fort along Nekkerweg
The fort on Nekkerweg 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 Nekkerweg
The fort on Nekkerweg 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.
This fort created a kink in the main defence line. To prevent the Zuidoostbeemster from being flooded when the Beemster Polder was inundated, both the Nekkerweg and the Volgerweg were raised. This fortress had to prevent the enemy from moving easily via these two elevated roads.
The Fort on Nekkerweg was not completed until 1912. The fort changed its use almost immediately afterwards. In 1918, it was put into use as a military prison. In the period that followed, many conscientious objectors mainly served their sentences here. Almost nothing remains of the fort's original interior. However, the concrete machine gun emplacements on the front wall remain reasonably intact, as does the fort watchman's house.
The fort that once housed soldiers has now been transformed into a luxury eco-chic wellness resort, with two restaurants and 16 luxurious rooms and suites.
