When planning a trip to Scharwoude, nature trails and architectural history can be considered as two distinct focal points. De Hulk and the routes through De Hulk and Suyderbraeck shape the landscape aspect; Scharwoude Station and the Hervormde Kerk offer specific architectural and church-history details. You can first decide whether landscape, buildings or historic furnishings will set the theme for your stay.

De Hulk and the trails through the landscape

De Hulk covers 58 hectares and is divided into areas inside and outside the dike. One part focuses on nature-friendly landscaping, where a diverse range of plant and animal life can be seen. You can go for a walk in the De Hulk recreation area. At De Hulk, you can distinguish between two aspects of the landscape: areas inside and outside the dike, and the nature-friendly landscaping of one section.

The orange route is 1.6 kilometres long and runs through the Suyderbraeck nature area. The present-day landscape of De Suyderbraeck was shaped by land reclamation measures at the beginning of the second millennium. This means the route can be understood both in terms of its course and the long history of how the landscape was formed.

The blue route runs through De Hulk and along the centuries-old Westfriese Omringdijk. The orange and blue routes can therefore be distinguished by the landscape features mentioned: Suyderbraeck is part of the orange route, while De Hulk and the historic dike are part of the blue route.

The Hoornse Hoproute is marked with blue posts and signs; its markers start at the car park near De Hulk. The Kabouterpad was officially opened on 2 March 2022. The 2.2-kilometre route runs through De Hulk and partly through Scharwoude and was suitable for children aged around three and over. If you plan to walk the Kabouterpad, check current access arrangements beforehand.

Station building, church and local history

The station building at Stationsweg 4 in Scharwoude has a Latin-cross floor plan. The single-storey section runs parallel to the railway line; the two-storey crosswing stands at right angles to it. The building was constructed in the Neo-Renaissance style. It is the only surviving station building of this type in West Friesland to have retained its original form. Its floor plan, different building heights and architectural style offer several specific clues to help identify the building’s character.

At Scharwoude 8, the Hervormde Kerk features a fragment of a 17th-century oak baptismal rail. It is accompanied by a copper baptismal arch bearing the coat of arms of the former municipality of Scharwoude. The station building is notable for its basic form and construction; in the church, the focus is on a single furnishing with a historic coat of arms.

The history of the church congregation adds to these architectural details. The Reformed, later Dutch Reformed, congregation of Scharwoude was an independent church congregation and had its own minister from 1669. This date marks a specific period in the history of its congregation’s administration.

Landgoed Station Scharwoude includes a stinzen garden with a woodland pond. Over time, the garden was expanded to around three hectares. The old bathing house near Scharwoude stood behind the Markermeer dike. In the past, people went there to enjoy the view, get some fresh air and socialise. As well as its location, this former use gives the bathing house a social and communal history.

Discover more destinations: Spierdijk, Zuidermeer, Ursem, Obdam, Avenhorn, Oudendijk, Hensbroek, Berkhout.

For the broader travel overview: Koggenland.