In Hensbroek, De Leijen brings together a history of former use and recreation by the water: the 11-hectare recreation area was created after a former sand pit was used to extract sand for road construction.
Nature by the water and in the wetland
Features include protected sandy beaches, reed-fringed edges, and protected play and sunbathing lawns. Swimming, sunbathing and playing are possible activities; fishing is also permitted at many shaded spots around the lake. Check the water conditions before swimming.
The Waterberging Hensbroek sub-area covers around 13 hectares and is part of the approximately 20-hectare Rustenburg en Hensbroek NNN area. The area's wetland nature consists mainly of open water, reed-bed vegetation and wet grasslands. Walking paths and picnic facilities are available for low-intensity recreation. Path conditions can change; check them before setting out.
When making your choice, consider the difference between swimming and fishing at the lake and low-intensity recreation on paths with picnic facilities in the wetland.
Access and paths
There is a spacious car park on Gemaalweg, on the south side of De Leijen. Pedestrians and cyclists can reach the area via Kerklaantje from Kerkweg.
The blue walking route from the Hensbroek starting point is 10.7 kilometres long and passes through Hensbroek and along the dikes of the Wogmeer. Its length helps you gauge the extent of the walk in advance. The route and any restrictions can change; check the information before setting out.
At junction 3 of the Geestmerambachtroute in Hensbroek, the route crosses the Ringvaart via a narrow, high bridge towards junction 2. Cyclists must dismount and cross the bridge on foot.
The “Zomaar even weg: Kerk Hensbroek” walking route follows junctions 25, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 24, then returns to 25. It was last checked on 3 June 2025; compare the information with the current route status before your walk.
For walking routes, distance and junction sequence provide different kinds of guidance. If you cycle the Geestmerambachtroute, take into account that you will need to dismount at the bridge.
Church and architectural history
The present-day Hensbroeker Kerk is a Dutch Rijksmonument. It was built after the village fire of 1648; its foundation stone was laid in 1657. Concerts are regularly held in the church, and dates may change. Check the programme before visiting.
The Nieuw Leven mill was built in 1608 or shortly afterwards and is an octagonal binnenkruier polder mill. The stolp farmhouse at Dorpsweg 59 is considered, from an architectural and cultural-historical perspective, a generally significant, well-preserved example of agricultural architecture from the third quarter of the 19th century. Together, the buildings represent different subjects: village history, milling technology and agricultural architecture.
Discover more destinations: Scharwoude, Obdam, Spierdijk, Avenhorn, Ursem, Oudendijk, Berkhout, Zuidermeer
For the main travel overview: Koggenland.
