In Uithoorn, traces of its defensive history meet an old polder landscape and paths by the water. From the Bruggetjes Route, you can take in the Uithoornse Polder: a peat polder landscape with a preserved medieval parcel pattern. The area, which is open to view, is a meadow-bird habitat connected to NatuurNetwerk Nederland. Here, the shape of the landscape and its present-day natural value exist side by side.

Polders, a Lake and Gardens

The Zijdelmeer can also be explored in different ways. The lake is one and a half kilometres long and covers 30 hectares; it is also part of the protected Uithoorn nature area. You can walk, run, cycle or rollerblade around it. Along the Amstel lies the renovated Waterlijn, an important recreation area for walkers and water sports enthusiasts. The lake and the Waterlijn therefore offer two different ways to experience the landscape on the move.

Another green destination is the Tuin van Bram de Groote. What began as an English landscape garden developed into a garden with plant species native to the area; its distinctive trees have been preserved. Its features include an ornamental garden with a flower meadow and flower beds, an orchard, a small swamp forest, a toad pond, a herb garden and a berry corner. Around ten beehives complete the grounds. You can visit free of charge on the first Sunday of each month from April to September, between 1 and 4 pm. The entrance is on Elzenlaan, by the Landschap Noord-Holland work hut; bicycles can be parked there. As visiting hours may change, check them before your visit.

Routes with Different Highlights

If you’re looking for a shorter outing, the oude dorp route covers three kilometres and takes about an hour. It passes through Uithoorn’s old centre and the Thamerdal neighbourhood, with its first post-war extensions. Along the way are several monumental trees, the Sint-Jan de Doperkerk and the former inland port. The route is suitable for wheelchair users as far as the steps at the Koningin Maximalaan crossing.

The seven-kilometre Wandeling door groen Uithoorn starts at the Tuin van Bram de Groote. The route passes through the swamp forest of the Zijdelse Zomp, follows the banks of the Zijdelmeer and continues along the towpath by the Amstel to Fort aan de Drecht. The Quackelroute between Uithoorn and De Kwakel offers a different perspective. It runs along quiet residential streets, dikes and historic lines, passing water, old defences and characteristic village streets; local path conditions may vary. The starting point is the Aan de Zoom stop, the first stop on line 25 when travelling from Amstelveen to Uithoorn. As transport connections may change, check the current service in advance.

There are also different ways to explore the history of the forts. The Fortenroute takes you to scenic and historic attractions, as well as the repurposed forts at De Drecht and near De Kwakel; both are part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. The first De Kwakelse Polder Experience tour follows the Stellingdijk to the forts and includes a look inside Fort De Kwakel. The second tour starts at a nursery with greenhouses and outdoor crops. It lasts three to three and a half hours and then continues by bike through the Uithoornse Polder to the source of the Amstel.

Forts, Art and Local History

Fort aan de Drecht, built in 1911, is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kehlkasematt houses an exhibition about the fort and the World Heritage Site; availability may vary. Het Pannenkoekenfort serves pancakes in the fort, and the Wijngenootschap Vinocerf hosts wine tastings and sells wine. A concrete gun emplacement in the green ramparts surrounding Fort bij De Kwakel faces the road to Vrouwenakker.

Art in Oranjepark adds public monuments to these historic sites. Levenskracht, a bronze artwork by Sjra Schoffelen dating from 1967, centres on human figures. Aarde en Water II, also in bronze, commemorates the 1980 liberation festival, held 35 years after liberation. Another trace of local food culture is the Uithoorn cheese and butter market on Thursdays: its history dates back to 1858 and it ended in 1960.

Water Activities on the Amstel

The Amstel offers more ways to get to know the area from the water. Aemstel Boating rents out sloops from a boarding point on the Amstel in Uithoorn. These include boats for six or eight people and a Langweerder 6.50 Classic for eight people. Fortvarend offers SUP lessons and SUP equipment rental; its boarding point is on the Amstel in Amstelhoek, opposite the harbour of Uithoorn. You can choose between land routes, walks by the water and activities on the water, without implying that each offers the same experience.

Discover More Destinations

De Kwakel, Uithoorn, Heiloo, Zijpe, Aalsmeer, Schermer, Alkmaar, Hilversum

For the main travel overview: North Holland.