Castricum combines trails through a protected dune landscape with water sports and archaeological history. The activities and trails differ not only in theme, but also in starting points and distances.

Dune landscape and convenient access points

East of Castricum, the dunes and beach ridges are part of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat. In this protected area, the dunes, beach and dune forests are open to the public. The reserve covers more than 5,300 hectares; trails lead through dunes, forests and damp valleys and are suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. A Duinkaart is required to visit the Noordhollands Duinreservaat.

One direct access point is the Duiningang Zanderij: from Castricum station, it is a five-minute walk into the dunes. Zanderij was formerly an agricultural and sand-extraction area and was transformed into a nature and recreation area. Gentle dunes, open grassland, bodies of water and winding trails shape the landscape; wooden boardwalks cross damp dune valleys. The area can be accessed at several points. One possible starting point is the bicycle parking area on Duinenboschweg, from which you can go straight into the walking area.

The De Hoep visitor centre offers route tips and sells dune and walking maps. You can also learn there how plants and animals live in the Noordhollands Duinreservaat and how nature is used to produce drinking water. According to PWN, the reserve is home to the only known population of rhinoceros beetles in the area; sightings are not guaranteed.

Choose routes by length and theme

Two described walking routes are each eight kilometres long, but pass through different landscapes. The route marked with green triangles officially starts at Johanna’s Hof and can also be reached from Castricum station. Another eight-kilometre route starts at the station and follows the inner edge of the dunes, crossing extensive polders and a village area before reaching the centre of Castricum. The distances are the same; the starting point and route offer practical differences to consider when planning.

For an outing with views of the dunes and their history, the ten-kilometre Tijdpad route is another option: it starts at the station and passes 33 viewpoints. Shorter options are available in and around Castricum: the one-kilometre “Rond de Kerk” audio tour goes through the Kerkbuurt and starts at the Dorpskerk. “Hildes rondje”, a treasure hunt for children of about three kilometres, starts at Huis van Hilde. A walking route at Meertje van Vogelenzang starts at De Hoep and passes through the former Landgoed Bakkum.

Water sports and history

Water sports are also among the activities in Castricum. Surfschool Castricum offers surfing and kitesurfing lessons, outings and surf camps. At Sports at Sea in Castricum, you can go kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, play volleyball and rugby, and try stand-up paddleboarding; individual activities may vary depending on the programme. The associated clubs run workshops, clinics and lessons throughout the summer season.

The landscape also has an ancient river history: the former Oer-IJ was the northernmost branch of the Rhine and flowed into the North Sea near Castricum. At Kasteelplaats Cronenburg are the foundation remains of Kronenburg Castle, also known as Cronenburg, as well as traces of settlements from the Late Iron Age, Roman period and Middle Ages. Kasteelplaats is the first archaeological monument in the province of Noord-Holland.

At Huis van Hilde, the archaeological museum of the province of Noord-Holland in Castricum, the region’s 10,000-year history is presented through lifelike reconstructions. Another historical stop is De Kunstbunker, an art repository in the dunes of Castricum dating from 1939–1940. During the Second World War, Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” and art treasures from the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and other museums were stored there.

Getting there and planning your day

Castricum has its own NS railway station, with direct connections from Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Haarlem. Check the specific connections before travelling. If you want to reach Castricum aan Zee by bike, the route from the station follows the Zeeweg and takes about 20 minutes. OV-fiets rental is available at the station; check availability in advance. This lets you include your arrival by train, access to the dunes and a possible detour to the coast in your day’s plans.

For a local taste, visit Duintuin Castricum, where you can try honey from a local beekeeper. Check whether it is available before visiting.

Discover more destinations: De Woude, Akersloot, Limmen.

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