Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland

Buitenkaag is considered to be one of the most beautiful places of the Haarlemmermeer. Located on the Kagerplassen at the southern tip of the polder, you can get a real sense of the vastness. It owes its origin at the Leeghwater pumping station directly to the reclamation. The steam pumping station was the largest in the world when it was built in the mid-19th century. It functioned as a prototype for the Lynden and Cruquius pumping stations, with which the lake was drained. The three pumping stations were named after planners of the land reclamation. The ferry over the Ringvaart leads to De Kaag island, where a 'laarzenroute' (boot route) is marked. In the summer months, ferries from there make further connections for island walkers and routes in South Holland.

• The Kagermeer Route (green) from TOP Buitenkaag leads through the now dry Kagermeer. You’ll search for this lake in vain on the water map of the Kagerplassen because you are in the middle of it. Before the reclamation, it was the lake between Lisserbroek and the islands of Abbenes and De Kaag. On the route you will pass the church built in the style of the Amsterdam School, the Leeghwater pumping station and the view of the Diepenpoel, the Hoofdvaart and the Ringvaart. About halfway, you walk on the edge of groves along the Kagertocht. The Huigsloot, a wide gully of water between the islands of Abbenes and Huigslootpolder, used to run here. There is a bench. Wander back in time and gaze across the water to the church tower on Kagereiland.