There are several themes to choose from for a stay in Hazerswoude-Dorp: polder paths, historic architecture, a windmill site and nature watching. When planning, it helps to first decide between walks, a bike ride, culture and activities on the water. Also note the seasonal rules for the Oostvaartroute. It is advisable to check the latest information before travelling for boat hire and sightseeing cruises.
Historic Sites and Polder History
The Historisch Museum Hazerswoude-Dorp is housed in a listed building dating from 1635, which formerly consisted of two houses and is one of the oldest buildings in the village. Its permanent exhibition covers the development of the numerous polders around Hazerswoude. The museum also displays Roman finds dating from 100 BC to AD 400. This makes it a place where local history and a much earlier period come together in one visit.
The Ned. Herv. Kerk also has distinctive architectural features: the simple hall church dates from 1646 and has a polygonal chancel and a timber-vaulted ceiling. The Rietveldse Molen stands on the western side of Vaardorp Rietveld, at the end of the Rietveldse Vaart. These places offer different points of interest—from church architecture and polder history to a windmill site.
Walking and Cycling Through the Polders
The 8.5-kilometre Bauernlandpad Oostvaartroute runs between Hazerswoude-Rijndijk and Hazerswoude-Dorp. The Oostvaartroute starts at the Landvliethal, Sportparklaan 15, in Hazerswoude-Dorp. The route’s Bauernland paths have a fixed season: they are open from 15 June to 15 March and closed outside this period because of the breeding season. Check the route’s current conditions before setting out as well.
Another walk, “Wandelen door de polders van Hazerswoude”, leads from the village through the Geerpolder and the Vaardorp Het Rietveld. The two polders are at different elevations.
If you prefer to get around by bike, there is the 19-kilometre “Op verkenning langs de molens rond Hazerswoude” tour. It leads through the polders and includes De Wilck on Vierheemskinderweg in Hazerswoude-Dorp; De Wilck is rich in meadow birds. The route lengths give you a concrete comparison for planning: the Bauernlandpad is 8.5 kilometres, while the cycling tour is 19 kilometres. The Jeu de Boer polderrecreatie tourist information point is at Galgweg 5, 2391 MV Hazerswoude-Dorp. Check the latest service information before visiting.
Rietveld from the Water
Klein Giethoorn rents out whisper boats, SUP boards and canoes for exploring Vaardorp Het Rietveld. Check availability before travelling. Theetuin ’t Woutje offers sightseeing cruises through the Rietveld; check the latest arrangements in advance. The offers differ in format: one involves hiring a watercraft, the other taking a sightseeing cruise. This lets you choose based on the type of outing that better suits your plans.
Nature Watching and Green Spaces
In the Spookverlaat area, centuries-old ash stools stand along the walking trail, dating from the time when local farmers still practised coppicing. Their presence along the path makes an earlier form of woodland management visible. At the end of the Papenpad lies a forest that is part of an elongated, 25-hectare nature reserve. The reserve also includes the Amalia birdwatching hide.
Another nature destination is De Groene Kathedraal: this garden for walking was created on the site of a former nursery and features a wide selection of plants cultivated there. The destinations described offer different points of interest—from traces of earlier woodland management and a birdwatching hide to a garden of cultivated plants. De Wilck adds to this selection with its abundance of meadow birds and can be combined as an interest with the cycling tour mentioned above.
This gives you several specific interests to consider when planning your stay, without having to combine them into a fixed daily itinerary. You can choose how much importance to give the route, cultural sites or nature destinations, and take into account in particular the seasonal opening of the Oostvaartroute and the latest information on water-based activities.
Discover more destinations: Koudekerk Aan Den Rijn, Hazerswoude-Rijndijk.
Back to the main travel overview: Rijnwoude.
