Old Dutch ferry route
Explore the watery area around the Alkmaarder- and Uitgeestermeer lake and cross the water with the various ferries you encounter.
On the way, you cycle through the beautiful primal Dutch landscape and past many old water mills and cosy villages!
The ferry route introduces you to the watery area around the Alkmaarder and Uitgeestermeer lake while cycling. As the name suggests, you will come across several ferries along the way, two of which are even self-service ferries! This allows you to cross the water safely.
You will start the route in Castricum and then go via Uitgeest and Akersloot to De R...
On the way, you cycle through the beautiful primal Dutch landscape and past many old water mills and cosy villages!
The ferry route introduces you to the watery area around the Alkmaarder and Uitgeestermeer lake while cycling. As the name suggests, you will come across several ferries along the way, two of which are even self-service ferries! This allows you to cross the water safely.
You start the route in Castricum and then cycle to De Rijp via Uitgeest and Akersloot. There is plenty to see along the way, such as the many old water mills you will encounter. When you arrive in the former fishing village De Rijp, you will immediately feel the atmosphere of yesteryear, so get off your bike and stroll through the historic centre. After a short break, continue cycling towards Krommenie and Uitgeest along the ring canals of the reclaimed land of Starnmeer, Beemster and Schermer. The difference in height between the low land and high water is clearly visible here! You will also find several restaurants and rest points on the route where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or homemade picnic in between.
Take note! Check in advance the opening hours and payment options of the ferries on the route. You will encounter the following ferries on the way:
- Akersloot- Schermerdijk
- Spijkerboor
- Oostknollendam - Starnmeerpolder
- Krommenie-Wormerveer
- Starnmeerpolder-De Woude (optional)
Coming by car? Then it's best to start from Castricum Station.
Important information:
- This is a route of recreation authority Alkmaarder- and Uitgeestermeer.
Take a closer look
You are going to see this
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.
Museum In 't Houten Huis
The museum offers a very varied collection about the history of De Rijp and the Schermer Island.
Museum In 't Houten Huis
The museum offers a very varied collection about the history of De Rijp and the Schermer Island.
The poor peat soil drove them onto the water. They were Sont sailors, herring fishermen and whalers. At home, ship owners, merchants, rope makers, coopers and other craftsmen earned their living from shipping. As an introduction to what you will see in the museum, you will see two short films in the audiovisual room. In these, Jan Adriaansz Leeghwater (born in De Rijp in 1575) plays an important role.
One film is about the development of the Schermer Island from the Middle Ages to the present day. The second film is about the battle against the water and about the reclamation works. In it, Jan Adriaansz Leeghwater (born in De Rijp in 1575) plays an important role. The museum has a lot to offer. For instance, the themes of herring fishing, whaling and seafaring are highlighted using old sea charts, journals, prints, ship parts, models of herring pipes, whale bones and baleen objects. A kayak brought back from Greenland by Rijper whalers is a masterpiece of the collection. There are small audiovisual presentations about this kayak, seafaring, and herring fishing.
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.
Description
Please note! Check the opening hours and payment options of the ferries on the route carefully in advance. You will encounter the following ferries along the way:
- Akersloot- Schermerdijk
- Spijkerboor
- Oostknollendam - Starnmeerpolder
- Krommenie-Wormerveer
- Starnmeerpolder-De Woude (optional)
- 21
- 18
- 19
- 02
- 54
- 55
- 57
- 60
- 14
- 88
- 87
- 84
- 24
- 14
- 20
- 21