Schagen: Between Dunes, Nature and History

Dunes, wetlands and wildlife

Near Callantsoog lies Zwanenwater, a 600-hectare dune area with two dune or beach lakes. The area is designated as a Natura 2000 site and a wetland of international importance. Two walking trails run through the dunes: one is 2.5 kilometres long and the other 5.8 kilometres. This lets you choose between a shorter and a longer route; check whether the trails are open before your visit.

Nearby, the Pettemerduinen form a long, narrow strip of dunes between Zwanenwater and the Hondsbossche Zeewering dike. You can walk there sheltered by trees, enjoy far-reaching views from high dunes and reach the beach. At Schagerwad, by contrast, birdwatching is the main attraction. The area covers around 100 hectares and is almost entirely owned and managed by Staatsbosbeheer.

The seasons offer different wildlife-watching opportunities at Schagerwad. In spring, you may see meadow birds such as lapwings, redshanks and black-tailed godwits. Teal, shovelers and hundreds of wigeons can be found there in autumn and winter. During the bird migration in late March and April, waders such as bar-tailed godwits, common sandpipers, snipes, ruffs, curlews, golden plovers, wood sandpipers, spotted redshanks and greenshanks can be seen. Canada geese and hares are present year-round; which animals you see may vary.

Coast and views near Petten

The North Sea coastline within the municipality is more than 17.5 kilometres long. The beaches in the municipality of Schagen include those at Callantsoog, Petten, Groote Keeten and Sint Maartenszee. In Petten, visitors can climb the 26-metre-high Piramideduin viewpoint dune. From the top, you can look out over the beach and dunes, the Noordhollandsch Kanaal, the polders and their windmills, and, in spring, the flowering bulb fields.

Another destination in Petten is Palendorp. It commemorates old Petten, which was submerged by the sea long ago. Its 160 poles, each six to twelve metres long, represent ten houses and a church. Petten is also home to the Pad van Bigot walking trail, named after Mart Bigot; a walking trail across the Hondsbossche Zeewering connects to it.

History and museums in Schagen

The town of Schagen probably dates back to the 10th century and received its town charter in 1415. Slot Schagen was built around 1440, when the first Lord of Schagen had an existing stone house converted into a square moated castle. A walk through town takes you past numerous historic buildings and the rebuilt Slot Schagen.

The Grote Kerk was built between 1895 and 1897 in the Neo-Gothic style, based on a design by J.A.G. van der Steur. As a Protestant church, it is a rare example of this style. The first recorded mention of a church on the site of the Sint-Christoforuskerk dates back to 998; the new Sint-Christoforuskerk was consecrated on 21 October 1883.

Museum Vreeburg is a 17th-century town farmhouse in the historic centre, fully restored in the old style, and also houses a carriage museum. It offers a glimpse into life and living conditions around 1900; the Rijtuigmuseum displays authentic carriages belonging to Stichting Westfriese Folklore. Museum Slag van de Somme is located in the eastern medieval castle tower of Slot Schagen at Slotplein 2 and displays objects from the First World War. The Regionaal Museum 1940-1945 Schagen en omstreken is housed in the castle’s right-hand tower. It offers guided tours about the period from 1940 to 1945, with a particular focus on Schagen and the surrounding area.

Other facets also contribute to the cultural scene: Cultuurhuis Markt 18 is housed in Schagen’s former town hall and includes, among other things, the Scagon de Luxe theatre. The “Erfgoed Schagen in Kaart” application provides access to monuments, cultural and historical structures, archaeological information and historical maps of the municipality. Automuseum Schagen displays cars from different years and countries, as well as motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, agricultural equipment, model cars and transport-related decorations. The composition of the collection may change.

Walking, cycling and canoeing

For a walk starting in Schagen, the 8.38-kilometre Tolkeroute begins at Slot Schagen and passes through the old terp area south of the town. The red walking route across the Hondsbossche Duinen is 7.9 kilometres long. The routes are similar in length but pass through different landscapes. Another option is the “Zee, duin, dijk en polder” GPS cycling route: it is 18 kilometres long and follows the new cycle path along the Hondsbossche Duinen into the hinterland.

The “Karakteristieke dorpjes en Hollandse luchten” cycling route passes through characteristic polder villages and by authentic stolp farmhouses. Along the way, you’ll find Molen de Groenvelder, a thatched polder windmill dating from 1572. The “Fietsen langs musea in de regio Schagen” route passes eleven museums in the Schagen region; check the route and participating museums before setting off. You can also explore Schagen by canoe: the Kanoroute Schagen passes through the town and has several access points. Conditions at these points may change, so check before your trip.

West Frisian folklore and market days

Westfriese Folklore was established in 1953. Every year in July and August, Stichting ter Bevordering Westfriese Folklore organises ten Westfriese Thursdays, each featuring a different theme. The parade includes around 20 horse-drawn carriages and 350 volunteers. Programme details may vary from year to year; check the dates and programme before your trip.

The Schagen weekly market is held every Thursday on Laan and Gedempte Gracht in the town centre, offering typical West Frisian products, among other things. The Streek-&-Stijl markets are held in the town centre on the last Sunday in May, July and August.

Discover more destinations: Schagen, Waarland, Schagerbrug, Laren, Hoorn, Purmerend, Hollands Kroon, Castricum.

Return to the regional travel overview: North Holland.