Birds and clogs
This route takes you through the rural area around famous Volendam and Edam. Spot unusual meadow birds along the way or stop at one of the cheese or clog makers to learn more about Dutch traditions.
Start the cycle route at the starting point and cycle towards the always lively port of Volendam. Then cycle overlooking the Markermeer to the characteristic town of Edam. You might not think it, but yes (!) you read it right Edam is a city. In 1375, Count Willem V granted it city rights. This allowed Edam to develop into one of the most important port cities in North Holland. Be sure to make a short stop here and explore this beautiful town on foot. There is so much beauty to see here!
After a short stop, it is time to continue the route. From Edam, you cycle towards the Purmerbos near Purmerend. After cycling through the Purmerbos for a few kilometres, you soon find yourself in the beautiful landscape of Waterland. Enjoy with the...
Start the cycle route at the starting point and cycle towards the always lively port of Volendam. Then cycle overlooking the Markermeer to the characteristic town of Edam. You might not think it, but yes (!) you read it right Edam is a city. In 1375, Count Willem V granted it city rights. This allowed Edam to develop into one of the most important port cities in North Holland. Be sure to make a short stop here and explore this beautiful town on foot. There is so much beauty to see here!
After a short stop, it is time to continue the route. From Edam, you cycle towards the Purmerbos near Purmerend. After cycling a few kilometres through the Purmerbos, you soon find yourself in the beautiful landscape of Waterland. Enjoy this green landscape with the wind in your hair and don't forget to look around. You might spot some beautiful birds! Once again, another beautiful place awaits you: Broek in Waterland. Known for its pastel-coloured wooden houses, this picturesque village is definitely worth a visit. Then cycle on to the peninsula of Marken and end the bike ride in Volendam.
Take a closer look
You are going to see this
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Simonehoeve cheese and clog farm
Simonehoeve cheese and clog farm
The Simonehoeve is an original cheese farm and clog factory just before Volendam (right next to Van der Valk Hotel Volendam). During the free guided tours - 365 days a year - you will see how real Gouda cheeses are made and how wooden clogs are carved by hand.
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De Kathammer
De Kathammer windmill is situated in Katwoude, near Volendam, and has been draining the Katwoude-Hogendijk polder for centuries; it is now part of the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board.
De KathammerDe Kathammer
De Kathammer windmill is situated in Katwoude, near Volendam, and has been draining the Katwoude-Hogendijk polder for centuries; it is now part of the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board.
The original windmill on this site was destroyed by fire in 1895. A new one was built, but it was taken out of service in 1911 following the installation of a diesel engine. Around 1931, the cap was removed, leaving only the mill stump, which served as a pumping station for many years.
In 1988, De Kathammer was fully restored and has been operating and grinding grain regularly ever since. Roel Boulengier managed the mill for over 30 years, until he handed over the reins to Ton Roelofsma in 2019.
Today, the Kathammer is a working windmill with a rich history – a beautiful piece of water management history in Laag Holland.
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Alida Hoeve cheese farm & clog factory
Alida Hoeve cheese farm & clog factory
The Alida Hoeve cheese farm and clog factory is located in Volendam. Where once cows were stabled, cheese is now sold. The Alida Hoeve shop offers a wide range of Henri Willig cheeses, gifts and souvenirs.
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Edam Museum
Edams Museum is one of the oldest museums in North Holland!
Edam MuseumEdam Museum
Edams Museum is one of the oldest museums in North Holland!
It tells, in two monumental locations right in the centre, the story of Edam's rich history: shipbuilding, ceramic industry, architecture, dignified families and ordinary daily life. The collection is very diverse and includes classic and modern paintings, ceramics, archaeological finds, furniture, and all kinds of other curiosities. In short, everything related to the history of Edam.
The 'Steenen Coopmanshuys' - Damplein 8
The beautiful late-gothic merchant's house is Edam's oldest stone house and was built between 1540 -1550. The Edam city council decided to purchase the property in 1893 and, after a thorough restoration led by Pierre Cuypers and Victor de Stuers, put it into use as a museum from 1895. The interior was hardly changed. When you cross the threshold of the building, you step right into the golden age.The floating basement is famous here! It is a loose container, floating on the groundwater. Due to ebb and flow (the Edam museum is located at the Dam, where there used to be a (sea) lock), the Zuiderzee influenced the groundwater level. Because the cellar could move with the groundwater level, it was never flooded. Floating cellars are not unique. Edam, and especially Amsterdam, had many. However, the floating cellar in the Edam Museum is the only publicly accessible one in the Netherlands and therefore unique!
The Town Hall of Edam - Damplein 1
On the first floor of Edam's old town hall, dating from 1737, is the second location of the Edam Museum. These rooms, including the monumental mayor's room, are the backdrop for a changing exhibition each year.
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Farm shop Achtervennen
There is nothing nicer than buying the organic products made on the farm directly from the farmer. That's why you can buy fresh milk and cheese at Farm Achtervennen in the farm shop at the front of the farmyard.
Farm shop AchtervennenFarm shop Achtervennen
There is nothing nicer than buying the organic products made on the farm directly from the farmer. That's why you can buy fresh milk and cheese at Farm Achtervennen in the farm shop at the front of the farmyard.
In the farm shop, you will find two refrigerated vending machines with fresh milk and cheese, where you can get your own farm products and checkout.
Cheese vending machine
Golden wheels are made from the cows' fresh milk, which ripens on the farm into young, young-aged, matured and extra-aged cheese. The different ages are sold per pound and/or kilo in the cheese vending machine. The pieces are vacuum-packed.Milk tap
Raw milk has a creamier taste than supermarket milk and because it has not been heated (pasteurised), all the good bacteria are still present. To let people in Ilpendam, passers-by and recreationists also enjoy this fresh milk, Achtervennen farm has had a milk tap since June 2021. From the tap, milk is available for €1.25 per litre. Bringing your own bottle is appreciated, but of course these are also available in the shop.Care farm Ons Verlangen
For some complementary dairy products, the farm cooperates with care farm Ons Verlangen. This is an organic dairy farm in Zunderdorp with cows, goats, horses, pigs, rabbits, chickens and sheep. It also provides care to 40 relief farmers. In the cheese vending machine, you will find their home-made butter, custard, cottage cheese and goat's cheese.Organic meat
Once in a while, the farm sells home meat packages. This is 5 kilos of organic beef, including minced meat, burgers, sausages, steak, soup meat, sirloin steak and schnitzel. The price of a package is 65 euros. If you want to be kept up to date on sale times, send them an email or keep an eye on their Facebook and Instagram.
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Bird viewpoint Gouwzee
From this vantage point, there are great views over the Gouwzee (the Markermeer lake).
Bird viewpoint GouwzeeBird viewpoint Gouwzee
From this vantage point, there are great views over the Gouwzee (the Markermeer lake).
Especially in winter, it is a haven for tens of thousands of birds such as tufted duck, pochard and common goldeneye. In late summer and early autumn, dozens of crowned ducks roost on the Gouwzee.
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