Uitgeest: Forts, the Oer-IJ and Waterways

Uitgeest offers a range of ways to shape your stay, from cultural and historical themes to landscapes and activities on the water. If you are looking for a hotel in Uitgeest, start by choosing the themes that matter for your trip. It helps to distinguish between historical visits, a guided walk, and routes or activities that you can enjoy on foot, by bike, by canoe or by boat.

Forts, Landscape and the Oer-IJ

Fort aan den Ham is a military museum where visitors can learn more about the fort and the soldiers’ former way of life. Access is seasonal, so check the latest visitor information before your visit. Fort K’IJK offers a different focus at its visitor centre: audio tours explore the nature and strategic landscape of the Stelling van Amsterdam. Check the visitor information before travelling for the latest opening details.

Fort K’IJK is surrounded by extensive meadows that provide breeding and living habitats for various animal species. This fort therefore offers a look at both the strategic landscape and the role of the surrounding meadows. These themes complement each other but have different focuses: the audio tours explore nature and the landscape, while the meadows are considered as animal habitats.

At the Uitgeestermeer, an information point is located in a restored wooden drying shed. It provides information about the Oer-IJ and the landscape that shaped Uitgeest; it also covers Cornelis Corneliszoon, his sawmill and the invention associated with it. Check whether the information point is currently open before visiting.

A guided Oer-IJ walk is another way to explore the landscape, with insights into how water and time have shaped it. Participation depends on the availability of a guided tour, so check before making plans.

Routes and Activities on the Water

The Pontjesroute is one of the cycling and walking routes laid out along the shores of the Alkmaardermeer and Uitgeestermeer. It thus combines two ways of travelling on a route that follows the shores of these lakes.

The Woudpolderroute starts in Uitgeest and is a green-marked canoe route through the polder landscape. The route includes reed beds, meadows with cows and sheep, and habitats for nesting birds. The starting point is at Kanoverhuur De Aker in Uitgeest, where you can rent a canoe or launch your own. Unlike the Pontjesroute, this route centres on canoeing, while the Pontjesroute consists of cycling and walking routes.

On the Uitgeestermeer, you can rent a sloop, a sailboat, a SUP board or a canoe. As individual providers and availability may change, check rental options in advance. Zeilschool Uitgeest offers sailing courses for children and adults, surfing lessons and sloop boating lessons. Check with the school for current dates and booking details. Rental and lessons are different options: with one, you rent a boat or board; with the other, you take part in a course.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

Uitgeest railway station offers direct train connections to destinations including Amsterdam, Haarlem and Alkmaar. If your trip includes one of these destinations, check the latest timetable before planning, as services may change. Also take the activity requirements into account when choosing your travel dates: access to Fort aan den Ham is seasonal, while guided tours and courses depend on current dates or availability.

For the main travel overview: Uitgeest.