Purmer is a polder landscape created by land reclamation. Its history is reflected in a network of water, paths, and planting: the ring canal, ditches, roads, and lines of vegetation form historic structural features. In parts of Purmer, especially in the undeveloped area, the characteristic pattern of plots is still visible. This gives your trip a clear focus: the landscape and its historical development sit alongside the cycling routes and the different areas of Purmerbos.
Polder structure and historic places
At Purmerdijk, the ring dike around Purmer, the connection between landscape and history is particularly clear. The dike is part of the main line of defence of the Stelling van Amsterdam. Purmerbuurt also tells the story of the area’s development: the old village lies at the intersection of Westerweg and Purmerenderweg. Together, these places offer different points of reference for understanding the polder landscape—from the dike as part of a line of defence to the village at a specific crossroads.
Another historic point of reference is Jan Adriaansz Leeghwater. A route leads to a monument to him; Leeghwater helped drain several lakes in Noord-Holland, including Purmer in 1622. In 1922, several ceremonial arches were erected along Purmerenderweg to mark the 300th anniversary of the land reclamation. This date connects the history of the landscape with a later commemoration of the event, without confusing the two points in time.
Purmerbos: nature and activity
Purmerbos has different features you can take into account when planning your trip. Children can enjoy an adventurous play forest. The quiet nature forest, meanwhile, is a refuge for many birds and mammals. Runners, cyclists, and horse riders can enjoy outdoor activities in the peaceful surroundings of Purmerbos.
Cycling routes through Purmer
Groeneweg is now a paved cycle path. It runs from Oosterweg through Purmer to Purmerend and back. Two other routes focus on the area’s historic water heritage: “Historie en watererfgoed in Purmer-Zuid” is 15 km long and passes through the southern part of Purmer; “Historie en watererfgoed in Purmer-Noord” runs through the northern part and is 17 km long. The northern route is therefore two kilometres longer. The route lengths and their different locations give you a practical comparison when choosing between a trip in the south and one in the north.
The southern route starts at the intersection of Purmerenderweg and Westerweg, near Purmerkerk. Along the way, you will also encounter the history of the land reclamation: the monument to Leeghwater recalls his role in draining Purmer in 1622. For a different perspective on the water heritage, there is Molentocht. It is a mill ditch through the Purmer forest near Purmerend; three mills once pumped water out there. The ditch illustrates an earlier function of the landscape, while the route lengths offer a practical comparison between the two tours described above.
Which aspects suit your trip?
If you are mainly interested in historic structures, Purmerdijk, Purmerbuurt, and the references to Leeghwater offer different ways to explore Purmer’s development. If you would like to discover the natural environment, Purmerbos has both a quiet nature forest and a play forest for children; runners, cyclists, and horse riders can also enjoy outdoor activities there. For a cycling trip, you can compare the 15 km southern route with the 17 km northern route.
Discover more destinations: Marken, Uitdam, Broek In Waterland, Katwoude, Watergang, Ilpendam, Zuiderwoude, Monnickendam.
View the overview of the wider region: Waterland.
