Starting point Viaanse Molen

The predecessor of De Viaan Mill was built in 1564 to drain and keep dry the Bergermeer. Today this is done by an electric pumping station. The mill was demolished during the Spanish War in 1573. Three new mills were built, and the present Viaan was moved here from Zijpe in 1579.

The Viaanse Mill appeared in the 2002 American film Girl in Hyacinth Blue. The film was shot while the fire-damaged Sluismolen on Helderseweg was being restored. When the director heard of the fire, he spontaneously donated money towards restoring the waterwheel. De Viaan has never been inhabited; traditionally, the miller’s house stood beside it. The small park beside the mill is suitable for a short walk. It offers a varied landscape with changes in height and pools. Remarkably, the bee orchid, a rare wild orchid, grows in this small park.

• The Lottery and Canal Route (yellow) heads towards Bergen via the Loterijlanden, then follows Kogendijk towards the North Holland Canal. King William I had the canal dug in the early nineteenth century to promote trade and industry.

• The Bergermeer Route (green) passes through the Bergermeerpolder and the Loterijlanden. Because of their low-lying position, these hay meadows and pastures are wet. They used to be unpopular with farmers and were allocated annually by lottery. which is also an excellent breeding area for meadow birds.