In Woerdense Verlaat, there are several ways to explore the surrounding area: you can discover the Nieuwkoopse Plassen on foot or by boat, paths lead through reed beds, and a 55-kilometre cycling route takes in local history. There is also the Westveense Molen and a network of waterways, each with its own history. When planning your visit, it is worth paying particular attention to the seasonal access dates for the paths.

Natural landscape and walking paths

The Nieuwkoopse Plassen are particularly important for purple herons, green-flowered orchids and northern water voles. From Woerdense Verlaat, you can explore the area by boat or on foot. Reed beds and wildlife watching are the main attractions along the Oudshoornpad, where you may spot bluethroats and marsh harriers, among other species. The approximately three-kilometre walking trail is located at Hollandsekade 23A in Woerdense Verlaat. This combines a specific walking destination with the wetland that is important to these species.

Keep seasonal access in mind

The Oudshoornpad is closed from 1 March to 1 July during the breeding season. This date range also matters for the “Trailrun-route moerasbos & polders in Woerdense Verlaat”: due to the spring closure to protect nesting birds, it is accessible only from 1 July to 1 March. The route starts and ends at De Kievit, the foresters’ work shed for Natuurmonumenten in Woerdense Verlaat.

The two paths offer different points to consider when planning: the approximate length of three kilometres is given for the Oudshoornpad, while seasonal access is the main consideration for the trail-running route. If you plan to visit either path, check the conditions in advance. This will help you match your chosen destination to your travel dates without treating the two routes as the same.

Cycling and polder history

The Waterlinie Luister Route Henrick is a 55-kilometre cycling route. It leads to Waterlinie Hoeve at Milandweg 89, where you can listen to a story about Woerdense Verlaat. The story concerns an important military outpost near Woerdense Verlaat. One historical reference point for the area is September 1672, when around 300 soldiers were stationed at the military outpost near Woerdense Verlaat. The cycling route and audio story offer a specific reason to explore local history while cycling.

Another stop for history enthusiasts is the Westveense Molen. After it was rebuilt, it drained the 108-hectare Westveense Polder for almost 300 years. It is regularly in operation and open to visitors on Saturdays; check whether it will be operating before your visit. The mill is easy to reach by bicycle, and a scenic cycling route passes by it. Alongside the longer Waterlinie route, you can therefore choose to explore the mill’s history and another cycling destination.

Explore the waterways

The waterways also tell the story of the area’s development. The Grecht runs from the Woerdense Verlaat lock to the Oude Rijn in Woerden. The lock connects the Grecht to the Kromme Mijdrecht, creating a shipping route between Woerden and Amsterdam. These waterways offer a different way to explore local history, complementing experiences on land. Depending on your interests, you can focus your stay on wetlands and wildlife watching, a walking trail, cycling, or the history of the mill and waterways.

Discover more destinations: Nieuwveen, Ter Aar, Zevenhoven, Nieuwkoop, Noorden.

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