Twiske walking route
From moorland to recreational area. Discover Het Twiske on this beautiful circular walk.
This route takes you through various subareas of Het Twiske. This recreation area was taken on long lease by Recreatieschap Het Twiske in 1984. In 2013, the boards of the recreation areas Het Twiske and Landschap Waterland administratively merged into one: Recreatieschap Twiske-Waterland.
In honour of the 40th anniversary of Het Twiske in 2024, the recreation board Twiske-Waterland has developed this anniversary walking route booklet. During your walk, you will find more information in the route booklet about the nature, culture and history of the area. For instance, did you know that sub-area De Belt was once used as a rubbish dump? Or that the Twiskemolen was not located in Het Twiske when it was built? You can download the route booklet via the PDF file.
Important information:
- For this route, follow posts with different coloured markings/arrows. Check the specific route description on the website of Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland.
- This is a route of the Twiske-Waterland recreation board.
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Care farm the Marches
Care farm De Marsen, where development of people and nature is central!
Care farm the Marches
Care farm De Marsen, where development of people and nature is central!
You are welcome to visit Care Farm De Marsen to visit its free-range farmyard, and to have a look at its farm shop.
The care farm offers an inspiring workplace for (young) adults with (mental) disabilities. They help take care of the animals and everything that comes with it. The auxiliary farmers are very involved in the farm. They are aware of everything that happens to the animals and work together on the well-being of the chickens, pigs, cows, sheep and horses. To ensure peace and quiet for both our helpers and the animals, it is therefore not possible for visitors to enter the farm. However, you are welcome to visit the farm shop and the free-range farmyard!
At the front of the farm, there is a farm shop selling all kinds of products, including a steady supply of (seasonal) fruit and vegetables, eggs, dairy products and other local delicacies such as honey and jam! In addition, the auxiliary farmers provide weekly freshly made soup and other homemade delicacies such as artisanal cakes, which, combined with tea or coffee, can be enjoyed on the terrace. Meat from their own animals can also be found in the shop. The selection consists mainly of beef and pork.
The farm shop is open on Saturdays between 10:00 - 13:00 and 13:45 - 16:00.
On the free-range farmyard, visitors are more than welcome! There is a children's play area here where there is more than enough for them to experience. Among other things, there is a sandpit, but there are also all kinds of other games to play and a number of chickens scratch around. Besides the free-range yard, you can also find a toilet hut that is open.
Bird-watching screen De Vennen | Het Twiske
In recreational area Het Twiske, there are several bird-watching spots. In winter, many ducks sit in front of the screen for beautiful viewing, such as widgeon, teal and tufted duck.
Bird view | Het Twiske
At the Stootersplas in Het Twiske, numerous birds can be found all year round.
Bird view | Het Twiske
At the Stootersplas in Het Twiske, numerous birds can be found all year round.
From this viewing point you have an excellent view of a bank swallow wall. You can also see several species of waterfowl and reed birds here, including shovelers, widgeons, tufted ducks and mallards.
De Speelsloot | Het Twiske
The Speelsloot is one of seven beautiful and cosy beaches in Het Twiske. Near the beach you will find a real airfield with a plane and control tower.
De Speelsloot | Het Twiske
The Speelsloot is one of seven beautiful and cosy beaches in Het Twiske. Near the beach you will find a real airfield with a plane and control tower.
Have fun on the climbing tower, take the ferry across the water and have water fun in the cable car. And after all that romping and playing, it's time for a nice picnic.
Good to know!
- For safety, there is a ball line at both ends of the playing ditch. There is no supervision, so please pay attention yourself!
- You are not allowed to barbecue at the Speelsloot.
- No dogs are allowed here.
Bathing water quality
The province of North Holland monitors the hygiene and safety of official swimming spots from 1 May to 1 October. If a warning or swimming ban is required, it is announced on the beach with a sign. Want to know in advance whether the water is OK? Then check the water quality and safety information in advance.
Bird-watching wall Het Drijfsijsje | Het Twiske
Located in Het Twiske, this wall offers views of waterbirds, such as widgeon, teal, bittern, nun, tufted duck and kingfisher, especially in winter.
Bird-watching wall Het Drijfsijsje | Het Twiske
Located in Het Twiske, this wall offers views of waterbirds, such as widgeon, teal, bittern, nun, tufted duck and kingfisher, especially in winter.
Due to the many reed beds in the area, many reed birds can also be found during the summer, such as water rail, bearded reedling, moustache, reed bunting, reed warbler and bluethroat. Many species of birds of prey have been seen in the area: hen harrier, kestrel, buzzard, long-eared owl, goshawk, tree falcon and sometimes peregrine falcon and merlin.
Pavilion 't Twiske
Need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Cross the IJ and find an oasis of calm. Enjoy a delicious lunch, a drink or dinner in the beautiful Het Twiske nature reserve. In short; come and enjoy!
Pavilion 't Twiske
Need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Cross the IJ and find an oasis of calm. Enjoy a delicious lunch, a drink or dinner in the beautiful Het Twiske nature reserve. In short; come and enjoy!
Pavilion 't Twiske, a chic yet sleek eatery with a relaxed, warm atmosphere. Sink into retro beach chairs on the waterfront with a glass of wine and some tasty appetisers or enjoy a delicious Twiske burger or chicken satay.
You can also enjoy an extensive High Tea, High Wine or High Beer here.
Take away
Prefer to take something with you? At the takeaway counter you can get a cup of coffee or tea, richly filled rolls or a tasty snack.
Twiske Haven
Twiske Haven welcomes visitors daily for coffee and treats, fresh lunches and convivial drinks.
Twiske Haven
Twiske Haven welcomes visitors daily for coffee and treats, fresh lunches and convivial drinks.
After a walk in the picturesque Twiske, this is the ideal place to relax with a meal, either inside the cosy restaurant or outside on the spacious waterside terrace. Enjoy homemade specialities such as Twiske Loaded Fries, Grilled Flatbread, and Hooglander burgers, or try farmhouse bread with tuna salad and grilled vegetables. Hooglander meat comes straight from Dutch nature: healthy, tender and sustainable. There is also a wide choice of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Boat rental
From April to October, Twiske Haven offers boat rental. Explore nature in a canoe, kayak, rowing boat or whisper boat. For group activities, there is a boat hunt. Something more sporty? Then choose the canon nature tour or water sports day.
Farmer's golf
The 10-hole farmer's golf course is open daily. Using a large ball and wooden clog as a club, you try to reach the hole with as few strokes as possible while encountering obstacles.
Events & Activities
Twiske Haven is also an ideal location for events, with a relaxed atmosphere in a natural setting, close to the city. Twiske Haven makes sure everything is well organised, so guests can enjoy themselves without stress.
Visit Twiske Haven and experience a unique blend of relaxation and adventure!
Twiske adventure playground
Are you a real adventurer? Then go to the adventure playground in Het Twiske. Operate the ferry yourself to get to the other side or take the rope or raft bridge and have the most wonderful adventures!
Pancake the Apple
Enjoy delicious (gluten-free) pancakes, healthy Poke Bowls, hot apple pie and fresh smoothies. Whether you come for a cup of coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner... you are always welcome here!
Luister | Twiskemolen
The Twiskemolen has stood on the border between the municipalities of Landsmeer and Oostzaan since 1974. Looking at the dates on the mill, it is immediately obvious that the mill is much older.
Listen | Twiskemolen
The Twiskemolen has stood on the border between the municipalities of Landsmeer and Oostzaan since 1974. Looking at the dates on the mill, it is immediately obvious that the mill is much older.
The Twiskemolen was originally built in 1541. Only then it was not in Het Twiske, but about 40 km away in Barsingerhorn. When people were looking for a mill for Het Twiske, this mill - then stored in Nieuw-Vennep - was bought in the late 1960s.
The Twiskemolen is one of the few polder mills in the Netherlands that is still actually in operation and is managed by a volunteer miller. For decades, the monumental mill combined with an electric drive has been pumping the approximately 650-hectare Twiske polder. Did you know that in one minute the mill can grind 20 to 60 cubic metres of water one and a half metres up to the other side of the dike?
Next to the windmill, on the dike, is an information panel where you can read more about the Twiskemolen.
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