Kaag En Braassem: Windmills, Waterways and Cycling Routes

Waterways, windmills and stories of historic villages give Kaag en Braassem its distinctive character. Canoeing and sailing are popular activities on the Braassemermeer, locally also known as the Braassem. The 425-hectare lake lies in the north of Zuid-Holland. The Wijde Aa connects the Does to the Braassemermeer; the Wetering winds through the characteristic landscape of Oude Wetering and connects several villages with boating areas.

Explore different routes by canoe

The 24-kilometre Kaag-Braassem canoe route is a circular route around Roelofarendsveen, Hoogmade, Oud Ade and Rijpwetering. It follows the Wijde Aa, the Does, the Vennemeer, the Ringvaart and the Braassemermeer. A good starting point is the canoe landing stage at Ofwegen on the south side of the Wijde Aa, on the N446 between Woubrugge and Hoogmade.

The 20-kilometre Braassem-Drecht canoe route offers a different itinerary: it passes Leimuiden, Bilderdam, Papenveer, Rijnsaterwoude, Roelofarendsveen and Oude Wetering. Along the way, the route passes through De Hemmen nature reserve, managed by Staatsbosbeheer, which can only be traversed by canoe. Its length and course make it easy to compare two different trips when planning, without reducing them to the same sequence of places.

The waterscape can also be explored on land via cycling routes and walking trails. The 37.3-kilometre “Molens en Meer” cycling route passes through Roelofarendsveen, Oude Wetering, Nieuwe Wetering, Rijpwetering and Oud Ade. It uses the Dutch cycle junction network and passes more than twenty windmills, as well as other sights in and around Kaag en Braassem.

The 25-kilometre Pontjesroute is both a cycling and walking route. It passes through Kaag, Oud Ade, Rijpwetering, Hoogmade, Roelofarendsveen, Woubrugge, Rijnsaterwoude and Oude Wetering; cyclists can take four ferries along the route, including the bicycle ferry from Kaag to Oud Ade. Timetables and capacity may vary; check the ferry connections before setting out. For shorter walks, the Groene Lusjes programme includes eleven trails through the green surroundings of Kaag en Braassem’s village centres.

Windmills, museums and village history

The windmills show how closely the region’s history is connected to water. The Akkerslootmolen, an octagonal, thatched ground-sailer dating from 1793, stands between Oud Ade and Rijpwetering. It can be used to drain the Akkersloot, Hertogs and Blijvers polders. The Vrouw Vennemolen in Oud Ade dates from the 17th century and was largely renovated in 1835. In Hoogmade, the Hoogmadesemolen has been draining the Hoogmadesche Polder and Piestpolder since 1897.

Among other things, the Van Hemessen Museum in Woubrugge tells the story of the Rijn villages of Woubrugge and Hoogmade, as well as the disappeared village of Jacobswoude. The Oud Alkemade Museum focuses on the history of Alkemade and its surroundings; the museum also has a historic archive and an extensive collection. The Remonstrantse Kerk is the oldest church building in Oude Wetering and is believed to have been founded in 1645. In Roelofarendsveen, De Veense Bukker, a nostalgic kitchen garden, offers a glimpse into working methods, growing techniques and garden design from around a hundred years ago. Volunteers run this attraction; the visitor programme and activities may vary.

Historic themes can also be discovered along the way: Historisch Actief’s routes use audio recordings with stories that take visitors back in time at picturesque locations and monuments. During Open Monumentendag, Kaag en Braassem takes part with open historic buildings, a Molennacht featuring windmills highlighted in the dark, and audio cycling and walking tours. The monuments taking part may vary from one event to the next. The annual Nationale Molendag takes place on the second weekend in May; mill operators in Kaag en Braassem welcome visitors and explain their historic craft. Check the dates for the relevant year.

Getting there and finding your way around

Kaag en Braassem can be reached by car, public transport, bicycle and boat. Bus route 365 connects Schiphol with Oude Wetering and Roelofarendsveen. There, you can transfer to route 56, which travels via Nieuwe Wetering, Rijpwetering and Oud Ade towards Leiden. Bus routes and timetables may change; check your connection before departure. A ferry runs between Oude Wetering and Leimuiden; it is also advisable to check the timetable for this connection.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Roelofarendsveen, Kaag, Rijpwetering, Woubrugge, Hoogmade, Dirksland, Lisse, Leerdam.

For the main travel overview: South Holland.