Koedijk: Mill History, Oostwijk and Walking Routes

Koedijk combines mill history and a protected village character with walking routes and nearby nature. These topics offer different starting points for planning your trip: you can explore historic traces in Oostwijk, compare the landscapes along the routes or find out about the special visiting conditions around Kleimeer.

Mill History and Exhibitions

The De Gouden Engel complex includes a restored grain mill dating from 1866. The De Gouden Engel post mill houses the Maalderij, where grain is milled into flour using wind power. Here, the historic mill building and a milling operation that is still described today come together.

Exhibitions also explore Koedijk’s history. The upper floor of the mill barn houses a permanent exhibition by the Koedijk Historical Society. There is also a small exhibition at the Maalderij of archaeological finds made in Koedijk. If these finds are important to your visit, check the exhibition arrangements in advance.

The name De Gouden Engel comes from Koedijk’s traditional St Nicholas celebration, the Gouden Engelfeest. It was celebrated on the last day of the year. Tours of De Gouden Engel can be arranged on request for groups of ten or more, on Fridays or Saturdays. If you are visiting as a group, making an enquiry is therefore part of your planning.

Oostwijk: Village Character and Waterways

Oostwijk in Koedijk is an officially protected village landscape with 38 pre-war houses. From 1920 onwards, the neighbourhood was developed by the then housing association Goed Wonen as a settlement for market gardeners. This history gives the protected area a specific social and historical context.

The landscape also bears older traces: Het Laantje, the ditch beside Het Schipperspad and a northern ditch in Oostwijk are remnants of drainage and land-reclamation ditches dating from around 1000 AD. The old peat river is also part of the protected area. At the time, vegetables and fruit were transported mainly by water.

Oostwijk’s traditional cabbage sheds reflect the cultural and social connection with the Vaartuinders in the Rijk der Duizend Eilanden. Together with the neighbourhood’s history as a gardeners’ quarter and its ditches, these features offer different perspectives on Oostwijk: its buildings, early landscape development and the transport of produce.

Walking Routes from Koedijk

Four walking routes start at the Koedijk trailhead: the blue, yellow, green and purple routes. The green route is 5.6 km long, the purple 6.2 km and the yellow 8.2 km. This makes it easy to compare the lengths of these three routes; they also differ in the landscapes and waypoints described.

The green route runs along both sides of the Noordhollands Kanaal and crosses the canal via the Koedijker Vlotbrug. This distinctive wooden bridge dates from 1821. The purple route follows the edges of the protected Kleimeer nature reserve and passes the recreational lake De Zomerdel. The yellow route crosses open grassland alongside the Saskervaart and passes the old buildings of Koedijk via a grass dike.

Nature Around Kleimeer

The protected Kleimeer nature reserve lies near Koedijk. Wet meadows, a high water level and many birds define the area. Kleimeer is not open to the public; access is only possible on guided excursions. You can also experience it from the surrounding walking and cycling routes and from two viewpoints. Check the local information signs and excursion options before visiting.

Gondola Parade and Practical Planning

During Koedijk’s traditional Gondola Parade, bare cargo barges are transformed into theatrical performances. They pass along the Noordhollands Kanaal at dusk on the third Saturday in August each year. If you would like to include the Gondola Parade in your trip, check the dates in advance.

Parking at De Gouden Engel is limited; additional parking is available at the SV Koedijk sports grounds. As parking arrangements may change, it is advisable to check before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Schermerhorn, Stompetoren, Oudorp, Alkmaar, Driehuizen

Return to the main travel guide: Alkmaar.