This 47-kilometer bike tour takes you via various ferries around the Alkmaarder and Uitgeester lakes through the water-rich heart of the province.
Polders and windmills
The Ferry Route starts and ends at Castricum station. Along the way, you cross the water several times by ferry to hop from one polder to another. You can find information about costs and sailing times at www.veerponten.nl . On the news page of Alkmaarder- en Uitgeestermeer, you will find the latest information about the recreation board's ferries. From Castricum, you cycle through the charming village center of Uitgeest to the harbors. On the southern shore of the Uitgeestermeer, you can make your first coffee stop at various waterside establishments and enjoy the panoramic view, the waterfowl, and the boats on the water. Or bring a picnic basket for lunch at the Zwaansmeer recreation area. Just past the Uitgeest marina, you will see the Tweede Broekermolen, the last remaining mill of the five that used to keep the Uitgeester- and Heemskerkerbroekpolder dry. Further along today's route, you will come across the Oude Knegt windmill, where you can buy freshly ground flour in the shop on Saturdays. You will also cycle past the De Dorregeester polder mill and the De Kat and De Dog windmills.
Ferries and a fort
Cycling along the shores of the Uitgeestermeer, you cross the ring dikes to junction 87, where the electric ferry Molletjesveer takes you across the Nauernasche Vaart. If the ferry is not running, you can cross a few kilometers further on via the bridge. A long, straight road along the water leads you to the Jan Hop ferry in Spijkerboor. The ferry is named after ferryman Jan Hop, who transported people to the other side in his rowboat for many years starting in 1911. Fort Spijkerboor is one of the largest forts of the Amsterdam Defence Line. This defensive line was constructed in the late 19th century to protect the city of Amsterdam against enemies by flooding the land. The Defence Line is 135 kilometers long and comprises 45 forts.
