Woerdense Verlaat: Nature, mills and waterways

For your stay in Woerdense Verlaat, nature, cycling and history offer different points of interest. The Nieuwkoopse Plassen and the Oudshoornpad are ideal for experiencing nature, while the Westveense Molen and the Waterlinie Luister Route Henrick bring the history of mills and the Waterlinie to life. Seasonal trail rules should also be part of your planning when choosing your visit dates.

Nature in the Nieuwkoopse Plassen

The Nieuwkoopse Plassen are particularly important for purple herons, green-flowered orchids and northern water voles. From Woerdense Verlaat, you can explore the area by boat and on foot. Along the Oudshoornpad, you can spot birds such as bluethroats and marsh harriers among the reed beds. The approximately 3 km-long Oudshoornpad is a walking trail at Hollandsekade 23A in Woerdense Verlaat.

The lakes and the walking trail offer different experiences: exploring the lakes is possible both by boat and on foot, while reed beds and birdwatching shape the nature experience along the Oudshoornpad. This lets you tailor your outing to your preferred focus.

Plan around seasonal trail closures

The Oudshoornpad is closed from 1 March to 1 July during the breeding season. The “Trailrun-route moerasbos & polders in Woerdense Verlaat” is accessible only from 1 July to 1 March; this restriction is related to the spring closure of the Oudshoornpad to protect nesting birds. If either route is part of your stay, take the relevant dates into account and check trail conditions before setting out.

The trail running route starts and ends at De Kievit, the forestry workers’ shed belonging to Natuurmonumenten in Woerdense Verlaat. This gives the route a specific start and end point. The approximately 3 km-long Oudshoornpad and the seasonally accessible trail running route are two different options, so take note of the information about the route and access for each.

Westveense Molen and cycling routes

The Westveense Molen is easy to reach by bicycle, and a scenic cycling route passes by it. Its history goes back a long way: after being rebuilt, the mill drained the 108-hectare Westveense Polder for almost 300 years. The mill is therefore not only a historic structure, but also a testament to the polder’s long history of drainage.

The Westveense Molen is regularly in operation and open to visitors on Saturdays. As operating days may change, check the latest information before your visit. If you would like to combine cycling with a cultural theme, you can include the mill as a destination in your trip plans.

The Waterlinie and its connection via the lock

Another cycling option is the 55 km-long Waterlinie Luister Route Henrick. It leads to the Waterlinie Hoeve at Milandweg 89 in Woerdense Verlaat, where an audio story about Woerdense Verlaat is available. The route’s story relates to an important military post near Woerdense Verlaat. In September 1672, around 300 soldiers were stationed there. Check the route details before your trip, as they may change.

The distances also represent different planning options: the Oudshoornpad is approximately 3 km long, while the Waterlinie Luister Route Henrick is 55 km long. This gives you a walking trail and a considerably longer cycling route as two different activity options.

The Grecht runs from the Woerdense Verlaat lock to the Oude Rijn in Woerden. The lock connects the Grecht to the Kromme Mijdrecht, creating a shipping route between Woerden and Amsterdam. This waterway complements the nature and mill themes with a historic connection between the two cities.

Discover more destinations: Ter Aar, Nieuwveen, Nieuwkoop, Zevenhoven, Noorden

Back to the regional travel overview: Nieuwkoop.