Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland

The TOP Aalsmeer is located in front of the former Bloemenlust auction building, in the Bovenlanden (higher grounds) area of the Haarlemmermeer polder. The auction building was built here after the Haarlemmermeer was drained and the same was done with the Oosteinderpoel lake in 1868. Up until then, Aalsmeer was sort of a peninsula set amongst the remains of a peat bog. The Oosteinder Voetpad (footpath) provided access to Amsterdam. Land reclamation, greenhouse horticulture, floriculture and the auction all changed just about everything. The flower auction and the TV studios provide big business. Yet there are some nice walks in this area.

• The Vuurlijnpad or Vuurlijn Path (yellow) is quite a hefty walk around the Oosteinder and Legmeer polders. Head onto the Hogedijk for an idea of what the polder used to look like. You then walk past the former Aalsmeer terminus, which was the final stop for trains from Amsterdam and Haarlem between 1915 and 1950. The Vuurlijn is next, which lent its name to this route. This military dike was part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam that surrounded the capital. The dike was located behind the fortresses at Kudelstaart and De Kwakel and is currently a 4 km-long green walkway.
• The Schinkelpoldertocht or Schinkelpolder Tour (orange) takes you in a northern direction. The long circular walk gives a good idea of the horticulture near Aalsmeer and the new districts of the Legmeer. You will walk past the De Zwarte Ruiter windmill and through the Schinkelbos park and along the banks of the De Poel lake. You will also pass the striking tower of the St. Urbanus Church in Bovenkerk.