Discover Avenhorn

Avenhorn can be explored through a range of interests: De Groene Toren church and a historic boundary post offer a glimpse into the village’s history, while paths lead through village greenery and out into the open countryside. For planning your trip, it is helpful to make a simple distinction: would you mainly like to focus on the village’s appearance, or explore its varied landscapes on foot? The routes offer several specific points of reference. You can first decide which side of Avenhorn you would like to focus on, then look for a hotel for your stay.

History in the Village Landscape

De Groene Toren church was built in 1642; its tower was rebuilt in 1914. These dates relate to different parts of the building’s history and help distinguish the church from the tower. The building appears to stand on a terp. The explanation lies in peat extraction: the thick layer of peat around the settlement was removed and used as fuel, causing the surrounding land to subside. The building brings together architectural history and the way peat extraction altered the land.

Another historic point of reference is the boundary post between Avenhorn and Ursem. It marks the former boundary of the area under the jurisdiction of the city of Hoorn and adds the aspect of past legal jurisdictions to the building’s history.

On Foot Between Village and Countryside

If you would like to explore the village on foot, you can distinguish the routes by their course. The “Ommetje Avenhorn” circular walk leads through the village’s parks and green spaces. The blue route is 6.8 kilometres long and runs through the centres of Avenhorn and De Goorn. The routes therefore differ in several ways: parks and green spaces shape the Ommetje, while the blue route is defined by its stated length and the two village centres. You can choose your walk based on whether you are mainly looking for village greenery or a route through both centres.

Walking trails lead directly into the open countryside from Avenhorn-De Goorn. The Mijzenpolder is an unspoilt peat-meadow polder between the Westfriese Omringdijk and the Beemster and Schermer polders. A walking route passes through the Mijzenpolder, where many meadow birds can be seen during the breeding season. The birdlife is therefore a seasonal point of interest: many meadow birds are present during the breeding season. The Uilenhoekroute extends the landscape experience beyond the Mijzenpolder to the northern tip of the Beemster. When planning a walk, take local signs and route conditions into account, as they may change.

A Point of Interest by the Water

At Oost-Mijzen, a boat ramp lies just outside Avenhorn’s built-up area, near Oost-Mijzen 4B, Avenhorn. If you plan to include this spot in your trip, check the local conditions in advance, as they may change. The boat ramp adds a waterside point of interest to the village’s history, paths and polder landscape.

Discover more destinations: Scharwoude, Zuidermeer, Berkhout, Obdam, Ursem, Hensbroek, Spierdijk, Oudendijk

For the broader travel overview: Koggenland.