Storytelling theme Water

40,0 km
Theehuis Cruquius: cozy family business at the steam pumping station
Discover Haarlemmermeer's bond with water. A centuries-long struggle, but above all fun. You can find out more in this themed cycle route of the story poles.
Story pole for tea house Cruquius

On this cycle route through Haarlemmermeer you will come across four story posts that all tell you a different side of the history with the water. Scan the QR code on the pole and be surprised. The route takes you from the historic steam pumping station Cruquius, now the same name museum, via Fort Five Houses en MH17 memorial, the former Floriade site with the Big Spotters Hill, Fort near Hoofddorp and the Polderbaan in all kinds of well-known places in the municipality. Do you want to know where you can rent a bicycle? Then look here. 

Starting point

The start of this journey is at Museum Cruquius, one of the three pumping stations that drained the Haarlemmermeer. That was necessary because the lake kept flooding pieces of land like a true water wolf. The impressive steam engine was a showpiece at the time and is still in use. It will be demonstrated during a museum visit. In the adjacent teahouse you can treat yourself to a delicious base before the start of your bike ride. Choose a richly filled sandwich or coffee with cake and then set off.

Terrace tea house Cruquius

1 Fort Five Houses

Cycle along the Ringvaart towards Vijfhuizen. Several houseboats and the modern pumping station Willem I are moored on the water. This still ensures dry feet in the polder. You come to Fort near Vijfhuizen. This fort has a new destination as a restaurant and exhibition space for visual arts. It is therefore a nice varied stop on your cycling route. It is part of the Defense of Amsterdam, just like the other forts in the municipality. Then follow the Liniepad which turns into the Geniedijk in the direction of Hoofddorp.

Modern art inside Fort Vijfhuizen

2 Big Spotters Hill

You will pass the former Floriade site that is now known as het Haarlemmermeer forest. The Big Spotters Hill is a vantage point that remained after the horticultural exhibition. You can even cycle uphill if you want an elevated heart rate! Continue your journey along the Geniedijk until you reach it Fort near Hoofddorp en Windmill de Eerstelling are. This fort is now an open-air theatre, exhibition space and shelter Fort Noxx restaurant. Along the way you will come across two story posts. Story Pole 1 LINE tells you more about the first train lines and story pole 2 DIVEabout the Dr. Nanningabad. Did you know that Molen de Eerstelling used to be in a different place?

Fort exterior with picnic tables in the background of the Eersteling mill

3 Main canal and Polderbaan

Turn left and cycle parallel to the Hoofdvaart. You will pass through the center of Hoofddorp where you will find plenty of restaurants for a snack. You follow the canal that connects the Ringvaart on the north and south sides for 6 kilometers. You can cycle on both sides of the water. After you leave the city, you can already see Schiphol appearing on the horizon. On the left is the Polderbaan with its own airport tower. Go under the taxiway and under highway A9. If you cycle on the east side, you can still spot planes at the Zwanenburgbaan.

Main canal through Hoofddorp

4 Lijnden and Boesingheliede

Continue your route to Lijnden on the Hoofdweg, still parallel to the Hoofdvaart. In Lijnden, turn left onto Schipholweg (cross first). At this intersection is the first Catholic church of the municipality of SSaint Francis of Sales Church. Be sure to get off for a photo. Story Pole 9 VILLAGE which you will encounter on the Schipholweg at number 695, tells you about the village of Nieuwerkerk. The village went down three times in the Haarlemmermeer. Continue your route. At Spotters place Boesingheliede do you think story pole 12 STROKE. Here too you can listen to a unique story about the naval battle between the Spaniards and the Beggars. From cycle junction 51 you can follow the route to Vijfhuizen.

Story pole along the Ringvaart

5 Duck decoy and MH17 monument

You will find on the Kromme Spiering near house number 359 story pole 8 DUCKThis is the story of the historic duck decoy, which is a unique natural monument in the municipality. This piece of polder is old land. It lay as a peninsula in the Haarlemmermeer and was not drained. Then be sure to get off for a moment of peace and respect for the victims of the MH17 air disaster. It is located in Vijfhuizen National Monument. For a drink you can turn left to the Grain warehouse.

Seen from above the Monument.

End point

You are almost at the end of the route. Another 3 kilometers to go to the starting point. Via the Spieringweg you will pass the Memorial Forest that was also built for the victims of the plane crash and the golf course of the Haarlemmermeersche Golf Club. Turn right again at the Kruisweg and you are back at the place of departure.