To the northeast of Uitgeest you will find the Dorregeesterpolder, a lesser-known but beautiful part of the Alkmaarder- en Uitgeestermeer recreational area. Put on your walking shoes and enjoy the nature, the wind in your hair, and the surprising views across the water.
Land, water and skies
This walk of approximately six kilometers begins in Uitgeest. 'Geest' means high and dry land, where the fields used to lie. And the dikes you walk along today were constructed as early as the 12th century and are among the oldest dikes in North Holland. In this way, you walk through the history of this region. Sheep and Scottish Highland cattle graze peacefully and look up curiously at the passing walkers. On the quay of the Dorregeesterpolder, you have a fantastic view of the Uitgeestermeer across the wide reed beds. As soon as there is a slight breeze, you see the sails of the surfers flash across the water. There are special lookout posts for bird lovers. The black-tailed godwit, redshank, and lapwing feel at home here, as do reed and water birds such as wigeon, bitterns, and bearded tits. Amidst all that green and yellow, you will also find plants in this peat meadow area, such as lesser celandine, loosestrife, valerian, and meadowsweet.
The Dorregeester Mill
You can walk through the water-rich area with dry feet via small bridges. In the distance, you can hear the hum of the A9, but you quickly forget that as you emerge across the meadows at the viewpoint above the reed beds. Here, you have the most beautiful panorama over the water. Looking in the other direction, you see the magnificent wooden Dorregeestermolen towering high above the meadows. In 1869, it replaced the previous mill, which burned down as a result of a lightning strike. An electric pumping station took over the mill's duties after 78 years. But to this day, the Dorregeester still does what it was built for—draining the polder—and is still regularly put into operation. A beautiful sight.
