Just a little while, and then the holiday period will start for many people. When you think of a holiday in North Holland, you might quickly think of a week on Texel, Zandvoort or a visit to the Zaanse schans. But there are many more beautiful places in the province that are just as nice. Therefore: a top 5 with hidden gems for this summer.
1. Dune Lake ‘t Wed
The Kennemerduinen are located west of Haarlem and are among the largest dune areas in the Netherlands. The area is extensive with lakes, viewpoints and forests and is easily accessible by bicycle, car or train. You can cycle, walk and even swim in the dune area.
Fancy a dip this summer? That is possible, because in the middle of the nature reserve, at the Koevlak entrance, you have dune lake ‘t Wed where you can swim. The lake has an extensive beach and is sheltered, so you are usually out of the wind. The quality of the water is checked between May 1 and October 30 and there are swimming lines. In addition, there are toilets and it is easily accessible.
The lake was dug around 1950 and the sand that remained was then used for new residential areas in Haarlem. Wreaths grow in the lake and natterjack toads can be found.
If you are an animal lover, you are in luck at the Kennemerduinen because there are plenty of animals around. Think of fallow deer, Scottish highlanders and wisents. There are also equestrian trails throughout the park that you can recognize by the signs with a rider or horseshoe. Please note: in the summer it is not allowed to ride a horse on the beach between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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2. Beemster polder
The Beemster is a polder area that falls under the Unesco World Heritage. The area provides a good example of how people in the 17th century designed very rational polders with straight lines and straight roads, with the village of Middenbeemster in the middle.
The polder originated in the early 17th century. In 1612 the polder dried up because the water at the time endangered the cities and there was a greater need for land for agriculture.
To not miss anything of the polder area, you can follow the cycling or walking routes. To get a real holiday feeling, you can take the Beemster blossom and harvest walk. During this walk you can see how beautiful it is in the Beemster when the blossoms bloom. From the end of August and September, the fruit hangs in the trees in the orchards. With a bit of luck, you will cycle past a roadside stall where you can buy fruit from a local fruit grower.
Besides the polder area, there is also plenty to do for culture lovers. There are numerous museums and the largest fortress of the Defense Line of Amsterdam can be found: Fort van Spijkerboor, where you can find old ammunition rooms and cannons.
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3. The fortresses of Muiden
If you want to imagine yourself in the Middle Ages this summer, Muiden is the ideal place. The traditionally fortified city is part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Waterline which falls under the Unesco World Heritage.
The imposing castle ‘het Muiderslot’ is a medieval castle that was built around 1285 with the aim of defending Muiden. PC Hooft was a resident of Muiden between 1610 and 1647 because of his position as a drost, an official. The castle has been demolished, refurbished and inhabited several times. The castle has been a national museum since 1878. Nowadays it is used for various events such as concerts and performances and it is used to give tours and workshops.
With a ferry you can sail from Muiden to Fort Island Pampus. If you want to go to the fort yourself, this is also possible. For example with a sup, canoe or boat. There is plenty to do on the island and there are many activities in the summer. You can camp, dine and there are guided tours.
And if the fort island wasn’t enough, Muiden has one more: the Muizenfort where there is a museum and an escape room.
To explore the area, this is possible with the various cycling and walking routes that have been set out, such as the fortland route connecting the Defense Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Water Line.
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4. The Mirror Lake
In Nederhorst den Berg is the wide mirror lake with idyllic beaches and small islands with swamp forests. In the summer you can swim at the Spiegelplas play pond, or the sandy beaches on the lake or the Googpad.
The nature reserve to the south of the lake is an oasis of peace and is not called ‘paradise’ for nothing. You can also moor your boat at the marinas and the area is easily accessible by car. The beaches are easily accessible through the cycling and walking routes.
The water of the lake is 45 meters deep in some places and is very pure. On the north side it even has a diving zone. Not surprising, because it is known as one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Netherlands.
There is also a large meadow where you can lie down and there is a football field. In the evening it is often quiet around the Spiegelplas and you can see the sunset.
To see even more of the nature reserve, you can do the Spiegelplas round trip, a 10-kilometer route that runs along the Spiegel and Blijkpolderplas. You can encounter different bird species such as the nun, the golden-eye or the crown duck.
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5. El Dorado van Den Helder
When you say Den Helder, you usually think of the place where you take the ferry to Texel. But the city in the Noordkop has much more to offer. For example, the Nieuwe Haven is the home port of the Royal Netherlands Navy and the city even has its own airport.
The coastal town is surrounded by nature such as the white, quiet and long beaches with relatively few beach guests and the Helderse dune area where you can walk and cycle.
To the west of den Helder you will find the Grafheidsduinen and to the south of the area the Donkere Duinen. These are the remains of Huisduinen, an old Wadden island. The dune landscape has a small dune lake which is seen as El Dorado for different bird species and special plants. Outside the shielded part you can walk and you have a chance that you will encounter a Scottish highlander.
Napoleon saw the city as his base with his naval fleet. To defend the harbor he had a number of forts built which together form the Stelling van Den Helder. For example, you have the Napoleon route, a walking route where you don’t have to miss the forts and views of the North Sea.
Anyone who comes near the Zeeweg will not easily miss the ‘Lange Jaap’ lighthouse. The tower is located north of Fort Kijkduin and is the tallest lighthouse in the Netherlands and the tallest enclosed cast-iron lighthouse in the world. How long ‘Lange Jaap’ can still be enjoyed is the question, because an inspection shows that the condition of the tower deteriorates through cracks.