Straight ditches and strips of land shape Zoeterwoude’s historic cope landscape. One cycling route winds through peat meadows, while other routes pass cheese farms or cross the polders. Together, the landscape, cheese-making traditions and history of windmills offer a variety of discoveries—by bike, on foot and around the farms.

Cycling routes with different themes

The 30-kilometre Zoeterwoudse Veen- en droogmakerijroute starts at TOP Zoeterwoude and runs through the characteristic peat meadow landscape. Along the way, flower-rich verges line the route; notable meadow birds, sweeping views and grazing cows are also among the sights described. The 17.2-kilometre Boerenkaasroute has a different focus: it leads to artisan cheese, ice cream and dairy farms, where you can sample farmhouse cheese. Information boards and audio stations along the route also provide information about meadow birds, sustainable farming, biodiversity and Zoeterwoude’s bee landscape. The routes’ lengths and themes give you two concrete ways to choose a route that suits your interests.

On foot through the polders and village surroundings

Stage 03 of the Romeinse Limespad is a marked 12.5-kilometre section of a long-distance walking trail. Around Zoeterwoude-Dorp, it passes a number of cheese farms among the meadows. The Balkengatroute explores the natural and village surroundings of Zoeterwoude on foot, crossing the Groote Westeindsche Polder, Westbroekpolder and Grote Polder. The Groote Westeindsche Polder is considered especially rich in birdlife in the wider area. If you’d like to combine exercise with using outdoor equipment, the Buitensportparcours Molenpad offers a full-body workout in the open air at three locations. A walking route with marked distances connects the equipment.

Windmills tell the story of the polder landscape

The octagonal Barremolen was built in 1661 to keep the Barrepolder dry. The Groote Molen dates from 1626 and was built to drain the Grote Polder. In suitable weather, it is open from 10 am to 5 pm on the first Saturday of each month, except in July and August. You can also visit outside its regular open days when the windmill is operating; check the date in advance. Another polder windmill, Zelden van Passe, stands on the Meerburgerwatering, about 1,200 metres west of Zoeterwoude-Dorp.

Cheese farms and regional produce

Boerderij ’t Geertje is a farm open to visitors, with goats, cows, chickens, sheep, pigs and ponies. The farm also has a dairy, farm shop and restaurant. You can rent rowboats and canoes there, and there is also an experience trail around the farm. Before your visit, check the current visiting arrangements and opening hours; if you plan to rent a boat, also check seasonal operating days and availability. At Kaasboerderij Van Veen, tours take you into the barns, introduce you to livestock farming and grazing, and include the Weipoortse Vliet and surrounding countryside. During the tour, you can sample different cheeses and learn more about the traditional production process. Tours are a bookable visitor experience; arrange your visit in advance.

Boerderij De Keizershof also continues to make farmhouse butter by hand, real buttermilk, Gouda farmhouse cheese and Boeren-Leidse met Sleutels. There are still nine dairy farms in and around Zoeterwoude; some are known for their award-winning cheeses. Cheese is therefore not just a theme of the route but also part of local production.

Art, local history and nature

At Lange Kerkepad stands Hans Mes’ artwork “Grutto”, depicting a characteristic meadow bird in the open polder landscape. On Kooikersplein in Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk, a bronze work by Gerda van den Bosch commemorates the tradition of duck decoys: it shows a Kooikerhondje and ducks taking flight. If you’re making a special trip to see one of the artworks, check its location in advance. Stichting Oud Zoeterwoude preserves stories, documents and historical objects relating to the village’s history and heritage in an archive of books and objects. Check access arrangements in advance if you plan to visit the archive.

The Natuur- en recreatiegebied Noord-Aa covers about six hectares and includes a variety of habitats, open herb-rich meadows, trees and shrubs, two ponds and a food forest. It adds another type of landscape to the routes through the polders.

Discover more destinations

Vlist, Bergambacht, Leerdam, Rozenburg, Kaag En Braassem, Westland, Bernisse, Goedereede

For the main travel overview: South Holland.