Papekop: Polder History and Rural Routes

Papekop brings together a polder landscape, field history, and routes for walking and cycling. If you are looking for hotels in Papekop, these themes can help you decide what interests you most: Would you like to learn more about the landscape, explore a named walking or cycling route, or find out about cheese and life on a farm?

Polder History and Transport Routes

Before the land was reclaimed in the 12th and 13th centuries, most of the Papekop area was marshland. The name “Pape-cope” is also connected with the reclamation: an agreement stipulated that its proceeds would provide for the parish priest of Waarder. The meadows in Papekop still have fixed cope measurements: 1,250 metres long and 113 metres wide. These figures make the historic division of the land tangible.

The Papekopperdijk runs through Papekop and remains the historic thoroughfare from Woerden and Waarder to Oudewater. Another transport link belongs to the village’s 19th-century history: a railway station was built in Papekop in 1857, followed by a tram connection between Oudewater and the station. The road and the later tram connection are two distinct chapters in the history of transport.

Polder Landscape and Routes

The Diemerbroek access route runs east from Papekop into a broad polder landscape that becomes increasingly open and rural. This offers a specific point of reference if you are exploring the character of the local landscape: the description links Papekop to a polder landscape that opens up to the east.

Via Diemerbroek, the Zwarte Dijkje is an important and popular walking and cycling route to Woerden. The route between Papekop and Tappersheul is also described as pleasant and rural. Conditions may vary depending on the season, so take the time of year into account when planning your route. Another walking option is the Boere-pad, a 4-kilometre circular route in Papekop. The details highlight different points of reference: the Zwarte Dijkje is described in terms of its connections to Woerden and Tappersheul, while the Boere-pad is described by its length and circular form.

Two more routes are named for cycling trips. The Geelbuiken Route is 31 kilometres long. The “Artisanal farmer's cheese cycle route” passes through Papekop and by narrow roads and old farms. For a cheese tasting, a stop at one of the monumental farms along the route is recommended. The Geelbuiken Route is described with a specific total distance, while the other tour focuses on the scenery and the cheese tasting.

Cheese and a Glimpse of Farm Life

During a tour of Kaasboerderij Cromwijk, you can see the cowshed, milking parlour, and cheese dairy where Gouda cheese is made. You can also see the farm’s other animals. The farm shop of Kaasboerderij is located in Papekop and offers a wide range of cheeses. The tour and the farm shop have different focuses: the tour offers a glimpse of farm life and cheese-making, while the shop focuses on cheese.

Practical Stopover

A Rustpunt run by Hoeve Spoorzicht is located at Diemerbroek 4. Walkers may help themselves to coffee, tea, and non-alcoholic drinks and use the toilet. If you want to make this a firm stop on your itinerary, check in advance whether the Rustpunt is open.

Discover more destinations: Oudewater

Go to the main travel overview: Oudewater.