Uithoorn can be explored in many different ways: along a green railway embankment with views of the polder and town landscapes, through older and newer districts, or alongside wetlands and the banks of the Amstel. There are also churches and a fort with a history of its own. The routes focus on different things—so you can shape your exploration around the landscape, local history or activities on the water.
Walks with different points of interest
The Polderspoorpad runs along the green railway embankment of the former light railway between Amstelveen and Uithoorn. Along the way, views open up over lakes and polders, residential areas and business parks, a city park and urban forest, as well as greenhouses, meadows and fields. The changing landscape types are one of the route’s special features: it passes not only through open spaces but also shows the urban and business-oriented sides of the surrounding area. It is marked with yellow-red-yellow stripes; the route signage runs counterclockwise.
For a shorter introduction, try the oude dorp route: it is 3 kilometres long and takes about an hour. It is suitable for wheelchair users as far as the steps at the crossing of Koningin Maximalaan. The route passes through Uithoorn’s old centre and the first post-war extensions in the Thamerdal district, built around 1950. Along the way, you will pass several monumental trees. The route also takes in the historic village centre, including St Jan de Doperkerk on the Schans. This walk brings together the development of the town, notable trees and a historic centre.
Wandeling door groen Uithoorn offers a different focus. It passes through Tuin van Bram de Groote, the Zijdelse Zomp marsh woodland and the waterside landscape at Zijdelmeer, before following the towpath along the Amstel to Fort aan de Drecht. Dozens of old fruit varieties grow in the orchard at Tuin van Bram de Groote. Zijdelse Zomp is a marsh woodland rich in birds; a grass snake has also been recorded there. These features give the route a special connection with nature without treating its individual landscapes as the same.
Fort, churches and local history
Several walking and cycling routes meet at Fort aan de Drecht, which is designated as a Toeristische Overstap Punt (TOP), or tourist transfer point. The fort was built in 1911 and is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its casemate contains an exhibition about the fort and the UNESCO monument Stelling van Amsterdam. Visitors can eat pancakes at Het Pannenkoekenfort inside the fort. When planning a visit, it is worth checking current visitor arrangements and offerings in advance.
The churches also offer contrasting historical perspectives. Thamerkerk is listed as a Rijksmonument in the Dutch national register of monuments. Its Knipscheer organ dates from 1836 and was later expanded. De Hoeksteen, meanwhile, was Gerrit Rietveld’s only church design and was inaugurated in July 1965. Together, these places reflect different chapters in the area’s architectural and local history: from a historic organ and a protected monument to a 20th-century church building.
Uithoorn on the water
For watersports enthusiasts, Fortvarend offers SUP courses and SUP board hire; a launch point is located in Uithoorn harbour. Groups of five or more can reserve a BIG SUP there for use on the Amstel. Courses, rentals and group activities offer different ways to include time on the water in your travel plans. As offerings and availability may change, check the current conditions for your preferred date.
The excursions described here range from an approximately one-hour walk through local history to routes through green spaces and activities on the water.
Discover more destinations: De Kwakel.
Return to the main travel overview: Uithoorn.
