Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland

On the banks of De Poel you will find a primeval landscape of marshes and birch forests that gives a glimpse of Amsterdam’s original ancient surroundings. At that time, the marshy peatland was barely passable, but now you can enjoy a nice walk there thanks to the many bridges and paths. After the original marshland forest had already been cut down in the Middle Ages, the peat was excavated and fields were created for drying it. The shallow pools were created by bank erosion during storms. Traditionally, the reed was cut and the grassland provided hay for the cattle, and this ancient method is still used as part of the current land management. Because of the fragile nature of the environment, dogs are not allowed.

• The Poelwandeling or Poel Walk (green) is lovely in every season but especially lush during the summer, when you can admire rare plants here, such as the southern marsh orchid and the carnivorous sundew. This area is also home to a lot of grass snakes. They are not venomous and lay their eggs in so-called 'egg-laying heaps' made from rotting vegetation. Other highlights of this walk include the tower of the St. Urbanus Church in Bovenkerk and the Bloesempark.
• The Kleine Noorddijkwandeling or Walk (yellow) also leads you to the Bloesempark. The 400 cherry trees were a gift from the Japanese Women's Association in the Netherlands. The Tsunami Monument in the park commemorates the victims of the 2011 natural disaster. The walk continues further on either side of the old polder dike, the Kleine Noorddijk. Enjoy a walk through real natural forest with ash and maple trees and see Scottish highland cattle grazing.