Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland

Spaarndam is located between dikes and locks at the mouth of Liede and Spaarne in the IJ. This part of Holland was already battling against the water in the Middle Ages. The village is located at the northern tip of Hoogheemraadschap Rijnland, the oldest water authority in the Netherlands. You will see three locks of different generations side-by-side. On top of the Woerder Sluis is the bronze statue of Hansje Brinker (Hans Brinker), the lock keeper's son who is said to have put his finger in the dike to prevent the water bursting through. The starting point for the walking routes is on the other side of the Liede. Here you walk from the village into the polders, towards the Stompe Toren church tower of Spaarnwoude.

• The Around the Inlaagpolder Route (purple) near Spaarndam is the grassiest route. You walk along the Westhoffplas, where spoonbills feast on river shrimp. You can take in the expansive views while walking on the Inlaagdijk.
• During the Mooie Nel Walk (black) you walk towards Penningsveer and back to Spaarndam via Haarlem. Along the route you can see the expansive waters of the Binnenliede and the Spaarne from all sides. Even from above, from the former landfill.
• The Haarlemmerliede Walk (blue) from starting point Spaarndam is a long walk that connects the church of Spaarnwoude with the rural village of Haarlemmerliede and with Veerplas lake at Penningsveer. You’ll mainly walk on cycle paths. One of the two historic church paths is actually a small path through the meadows and it can be soggy!