Uitgeestermeer covers 660 hectares. In Uitgeest, water tells two sides of the town’s story: sailing routes and ferry crossings open up the lake, while historic mills recall the drainage of the polders. Forts and the visible traces of the Oer-IJ add further chapters to the landscape’s and town’s history.
Uitgeestermeer and Its Routes
The shores of Uitgeestermeer have areas for day recreation, small beaches and marinas. Sailing, rowing, surfing and motorboating are possible there, with marinas available for these activities. Uitgeestermeer is also connected to 350 kilometres of sailing routes. This makes both outings directly on the water and an extensive network of routes part of the lake’s appeal.
The Pontjesroute offers another way to explore the waterways, with its four ferry crossings. On two of the crossings, you operate the ferry yourself using a hand winch. As ferry services may be seasonal, check whether the ferries are running before setting off.
There are also routes on land that take you close to the water: the Dorregeesterpolderroute runs along the shores of Uitgeestermeer. Nearby, a viewpoint offers panoramic views across the water. The Dorregeest recreation area also has a sandy beach for swimming and surfing, a large play and sunbathing lawn, free parking, a toilet building and a day campsite. Water conditions and facilities may vary.
Forts and Historic Buildings
Fort aan den Ham is one of the 42 forts of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996. It was built between 1896 and 1903 in the Zaandam sector. Visitor offerings include exhibitions, guided tours, re-enactments and activities for people of different ages; the programme may vary.
At Fort K’IJK, the audio tour takes about 30 minutes and is available in English, German and Dutch. The viewpoint there is free to visit and can be reached via the tea house entrance. As visitor offerings and access routes may change, it is best to check these details before your visit.
The historic buildings in Kerkbuurt are also worth exploring: the area has houses and buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Notable examples include the Dutch Reformed Church, the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity and the Regthuys.
Mills and Water Management
The watermill De Kat, formerly also known as De Zien, is at least the third mill to stand on its site. It drained the De Zien polder and continues to do so. It was most probably established in 1567. Visitors can visit on Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00, when the sails are turning; visits are also possible by appointment.
Other mills tell the story of different polders and engineering solutions. Built in 1896, De Dog is an eight-sided bovenkruier mill. Together with an electric pumping station, it drained the 645-hectare Castricummerpolder on the Schermerboezem. The Tweede Broekermolen was most probably built in 1631. As an eight-sided buitenkruier mill, it drained the approximately 1,805-hectare Uitgeester- en Heemskerkerbroek polder on the Schermerboezem together with four other mills. The Tweede Broekermolen is not accessible because it is inhabited; check whether a visit is possible before making plans.
The industrial heritage park De Hoop in Uitgeest is home to the De Corneliszoon sawmill. It is intended to power a bandsaw, a circular saw and other small woodworking machines. An information point in a restored timber-drying shed tells the story of the Oer-IJ and the landscape that shaped Uitgeest. The information point also provides information about Cornelis Corneliszoon and his invention in the field of sawmills.
After an earlier period out of operation, the Dorregeestermolen was gradually restored between 1975 and 1978. Today, it is regularly put back into operation. Its history adds to that of the mills associated with draining the polders.
Traces of the Oer-IJ and Practical Information
Uitgeest lies within the Oer-IJ catchment area. Traces of the vanished river branch can still be seen in the landscape today. Guided walks through the Oer-IJ landscape offer the chance to spot meadow birds; the guided tour programme may vary. This offers a way to explore the landscape through both its visible features and its natural history.
Trains run regularly from Uitgeest station to Alkmaar and Amsterdam, with one train in each direction every 15 minutes. Check the current NS timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Uitgeest, Wieringen, Graft-De Rijp, Muiden, Hilversum, Ouder-Amstel, Weesp, Heerhugowaard.
For the regional travel overview: North Holland.
