Cycling past forts and mills

Cycle past forts, old mills and landscapes of historical significance: taste the history during the Monuments Route.

The bike tour starts in Halfweg, formerly called Halfway (halfway between Amsterdam and Haarlem) and then goes over the Spaarndammerdijk, the old Zuider IJ and Zeedijk.

You cycle past Fort Liebrug, with the nearby forts Penningsveer and De Liede, which together form a dense defensive line. The forts are part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. This is a thirty-five kilometer long ring of forts, batteries and waterworks fifteen to twenty kilometers away from the capital, built between 1880 and 1914. The scaffolding is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

You will also pass the church of Spaarnwoude, called Stompe Toren. In the wall of the church are two stones bricked in at a height of 269 centimeters. This would have been the height of Klaas van Kieten, better known as the giant of Spaarnwoude. On and around the church hill in the old village it seems as if time has stood still.

The Dijkland peat meadow area is rich in flora and fauna. Especially the peat meadow bird population is unique for this part of the Randstad. The monument route is highly recommended for both culture and nature lovers!