Wezenspyk
Routes from this starting point
-
Wezenspyk Landscape Path (black)
- 2.42km
-
Skéép en Lantskap Route (green)
- 5.43km
-
Het oude land (yellow)
- 9.2km
The farm gets its name from the Wezenspyk polder. The grassland borders the 'Oude land van Texel' (Old land of Texel), where the growing coastline was reclaimed. Dike breaches did not deter the people of Texel. The remaining ponds, known as wèèlen in the Texel dialect, were enclosed by new dikes, hence the winding shape. However, the reclaimed silty soil required adaptation. Fortunately, sheep thrived there and Texel became a real sheep island. This is reflected in the iconic landscape of the Hoge Berg with its numerous sheep pens and gullies. The paths there are bordered by garden walls called ‘tuunwallen’. The islanders used these stacked-turf walls as partitions because wood was scarce and digging ditches in the rolling landscape was not an option.
- The Wezenspyk Landscape Path (black) is short but sweet. Walk along the grassy embankment to the cable ferry and the sheep museum, where you can learn about sheep farming and the landscape. Can’t you get enough? Then stop by the farm shop.
- The Skéép en Lantskap Route (green) was developed by ANLV De Lieuw Texel in collaboration with local farmers. You follow a lovely grassy path over an old dike, towards the harbour lock dating from 1465, once the gateway to 'Den Horn'. You walk the black route during the breeding season.
- The Het oude land walking route (yellow) leads along winding dikes past herb-covered grassy polders towards the historic local paths on the Hoge Berg. Farmland paths through meadows with sheep and oystercatchers provide an idyllic glimpse of Texel’s rural life.