A trip for lovers of cultural history, old lakes, reed beds, and low farm bridges. Due to the thick reed beds, there is little wind and few waves.
Ducking for the bridge
The red-marked canoe route starts at De Aker canoe rental or at one of the places where you can launch your own canoe. In the Ham en Crommenije reserve area, canoeing is prohibited during the breeding season from April 1 to June 15. During this period, always follow the main route as indicated on the canoe map. You paddle through the polder – and that is always surprising. Close to the water, the meadows are at eye level, and the small bridges you pass under are sometimes very low. The meadow birds perform their graceful antics in the air, and the calls of the black-tailed godwits, redshanks, and lapwings automatically cheer you up. The birds in the reeds do not keep quiet either. You can hear the booming sound of the bittern from afar, but among the reeds, it is almost invisible.
Mills and small lakes
The route passes the Tweede Broekermolen, one of the five windmills that formerly drained the Uitgeesterbroek polder, and the Meldijk pumping station. The small lakes Weijenbus and Vroonmeer, which you sail over, were formed in the 12th century. The Crommenije, the Noorderham, and the Zuiderham were formerly part of a peat river that connected the Old IJ with the Schermer. In 1357, the river was dammed at Krommeniedijk. You can make a stop here at Fort Krommeniedijk, part of the Amsterdam Defence Line.
