Erfgoedroute Haarlemmermeer

Cycle 42 km through Hoofddorp, the north of Haarlemmermeer past the Cruquius Pumping Station, the Stompe Toren, forts on the Amsterdam Defence Line, and the Haarlemmermeerse Bos.

Haarlemmermeer Heritage Route: history and nature by bike

The Heritage Route is a beautiful 42-kilometer bike ride through the north of Haarlemmermeer. Not a boring polder, but a region full of surprises: UNESCO World Heritage sites, steam pumping stations, medieval towers, and vast nature — all along a single route. De Nederlandse Toerist developed this route and was personally amazed by everything she encountered along the way.

Heritage Route directions

You start from the Haarlemmermeerse Bos, a large green recreational area where you immediately feel the tranquility of nature. Between the trees, you smell the damp forest floor and hear birds singing. You cycle on along the Ringvaart, the picturesque waterway that surrounds the dried-up Haarlemmermeer. Swans glide over the water, and here and there a spoonbill stands quietly fishing.

Along the way, you ride along the Defence Line of Amsterdam, a unique defence line that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You pass Fort aan de Liebrug and Fort Penningsveer, two well-preserved forts with a rich military history. Afterwards, you cycle to the impressive Cruquius Pumping Station, the former steam pumping station that once drained the Haarlemmermeer. In Halfweg, you pass the Halfweg Steam Pumping Station, another industrial monument on the edge of the polder.

In picturesque Spaarndam, you will discover the Stompe Toren, a remnant of a medieval church. Will you climb to the top? From Big Spotters Hill, you can overlook the entire landscape of Haarlemmermeer from a height of no less than 22 meters. A unique view that will stay with you for a long time.

Highlights along the way

1. Cruquius Pumping Station – The only surviving steam pumping station in the world with eight steam engines. A monument to the reclamation of the Haarlemmermeer.
2. Amsterdam Defence Line (UNESCO) – You literally cycle over this World Heritage Site and pass two forts: Fort aan de Liebrug and Fort Penningsveer.
3. Stompe Toren in Spaarndam – A medieval church tower with a remarkable story, hidden in a picturesque village on the Spaarne.
4. Haarlemmermeerse Bos – A large recreational forest with playgrounds, the Spartelvijver, and possibly Sara the owl as a surprise along the road.
5. Big Spotters Hill – An artificial hill 22 meters high with a panoramic view over the polder and of planes landing at Schiphol.

Background story

The Haarlemmermeer once consisted of a large inland lake. In the nineteenth century, it was drained using steam pumping stations, including the famous Cruquius Pumping Station. This gigantic engineering feat transformed a turbulent lake into a fertile polder. The Amsterdam Defence Line, built as a military defence line around the same period, protected the capital with a ring of forts and inundation areas. Together, both heritage sites tell the story of the human struggle against and with water in North Holland.

Tips and practical information

1. Distance: 42 kilometers
2. Starting point: Haarlemmermeerse Bos (from playground to Spartelvijver)
3. Route type: Cycle route, suitable for regular bicycles and e-bikes
4. Signage: View the full route via RouteYou
5. Accessibility by public transport: Hoofddorp Station (NS) is a short bike ride from the starting point. Hoofddorp is easily accessible by train from Amsterdam Central or Haarlem. Get off and cycle straight onto the route!
6. Accessibility: The route is predominantly flat and easily navigable. Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers due to its length and some unpaved sections.
7. Season: Suitable for cycling all year round. In spring, the meadows bloom and you can see young animals. Summer is ideal for a picnic in the Haarlemmermeerse Bos.