Uitgeest: Water, Forts and Mills

Waterways, historic defensive structures and old mills shape the experience of travelling in Uitgeest. At the 660-hectare Lake Uitgeestermeer, lakeside recreation and water sports come together; in Kerkbuurt, buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries tell the story of the area. Forts and polder mills also make the landscape's history visible.

Lake Uitgeestermeer and the Pontjesroute

The shores of Lake Uitgeestermeer are home to day-use recreation areas, small beaches and marinas. The lake offers opportunities for sailing, rowing, surfing and motorboating. It is also connected to a network of 350 kilometres of sailing routes. Both activities on the water and trips along its shores are central to the local landscape.

The Pontjesroute includes four ferry crossings. On two of them, visitors operate the ferry themselves using a hand winch—an unusual part of the route that requires some effort. Ferry services may be seasonal; check whether the ferries are running before setting out.

Forts and historic buildings

Fort aan den Ham is one of the 42 forts of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996. It was built between 1896 and 1903 in the Zaandam sector. Today, the visitor programme includes exhibitions, guided tours, reenactments and activities for people of different ages. The activities on offer may vary.

At Fort K’IJK, the audio tour lasts about 30 minutes and is available in English, German and Dutch. The viewpoint there is free and can be reached via the entrance to the tea house. Check the current visitor information before planning your visit.

Kerkbuurt offers another glimpse into the area's history. It is home to houses and buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, including the Dutch Reformed Church, the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity and the Regthuys. These historic buildings complement the story of the forts with a picture of the area's older character.

Mills and polder history

The watermill De Kat, formerly also known as De Zien, is at least the third mill to stand on this site. It drained, and continues to drain, the De Zien polder; it was most likely established there in 1567. Visitors can see it on Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00, when the sails are turning, as well as by appointment. As these conditions are important for visiting, it is advisable to check before travelling.

Other mills also tell the story of polder drainage. De Dog, built in 1896, is an eight-sided bovenkruier mill. Together with an electric pumping station, it drained the 645-hectare Castricummerpolder at the Schermerboezem. The Tweede Broekermolen was most likely built in 1631. This eight-sided buitenkruier mill drained the approximately 1,805-hectare Uitgeester- en Heemskerkerbroek polder at the Schermerboezem, together with four other mills. As the Tweede Broekermolen is inhabited, it is not open to visitors; check the visitor information before making plans.

De Corneliszoon, a wood-sawing mill, stands in the De Hoop industrial heritage park in Uitgeest. It is intended to power a band saw, a circular saw and other small woodworking machines. After a period out of operation, the Dorregeestermolen was gradually restored from 1975 to 1978 and is now regularly put back into operation.

Walks, nature and getting around

The Dorregeesterpolderroute runs along the shores of Lake Uitgeestermeer. A nearby viewpoint offers a panorama over the water. For a different perspective, explore the Oer-IJ landscape: Uitgeest lies within the catchment area of this vanished branch of a river, traces of which are still visible in the landscape. Guided walks there offer the chance to observe meadow birds; the availability of guided walks may vary.

The Dorregeest recreation area has a sandy beach for swimming and surfing, as well as a large play and sunbathing lawn. Facilities listed include free parking, a toilet block and a day campsite. Water conditions and facilities may vary; check before visiting if you plan to use them.

Trains from Uitgeest station run regularly to Alkmaar and Amsterdam, with a train in each direction every 15 minutes. Check the current NS timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Uitgeest, Wieringermeer, Langedijk, Heiloo, Wervershoof, Wormerland, Laren, Haarlemmermeer.

For the broader travel overview: North Holland.