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Starting Point Aalsmeer Kolenhaven 71 afbeelding

Routes from this starting point

Rijsenhout Walk (blue)
Unpaved path (partly)
7.68km
Green Lint (red)
Unpaved path (partly)
9.14km
Vuurlijn Path (yellow)
Unpaved path (partly) No dogs allowed
17.93km

Between 1915 and 1950, Aalsmeer was a junction on the Haarlemmermeer railway lines. From the terminus on the Stommeerweg you could take the train to Amsterdam, Haarlem and Alphen. The steam trains needed coal to operate, hence the Kolenhaven (Coal Harbour). Since then, Aalsmeer’s landscape changed for good due to the growth of greenhouse horticulture, floriculture and the flower auction but it's still nice to walk here.

  • The Rijsenhout Walk (blue) follows the mining trail through the district on the Uiterweg. You take the ferry to the Haarlemmermeer and walk to the Fort at Aalsmeer, with the CRASH Air War and Resistance Museum '40-'45. The last part takes you through the green borders of the Schiphol Logistics Park.
  • The Green Ribbon (red) is a local initiative to create a green connection between the Amsterdamse Bos park and the Westeinderplassen lakes. Existing greenbelts and grass dikes have been made accessible to walkers for this purpose and the new Hornmeerpark is also part of The Green Ribbon.
  • The Vuurlijn Path (yellow) is a hefty circular walk from the Westeinderplassen lakes via the Vuurlijn. This earthen dike was part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, the ring of fortifications around the capital. The dike was located behind the fortresses at Kudelstaart and De Kwakel and is currently a 4 km-long green walkway. The Legmeerpolder now features greenhouses and trendy 1930s-style new builds but head onto the Hogedijk for an idea of what the polder used to look like.