Cheese market, windmills and polders

Distance: 24 km

The windmills at the Zes Wielen in Alkmaar. Photo © Holland-Cycling.comThe windmills at the Zes Wielen in Alkmaar. Photo © Holland-Cycling.com

This route around Alkmaar shows you typical Dutch polders, canals and windmills. Highlight of the route is the historic centre of Alkmaar, with its cheese market, narrow streets and draw bridges.

At the Zes Wielen you see some fine examples of polder mills, formerly used for pumping excess water out the polders. In Oudorp you cross the canal constructed for one of the most large-scale drainage projects of the 17th century. The route takes you to Koedijk and the Noordhollandsch Kanaal which you follow back into the historic centre of Alkmaar.

Alkmaar Cycle Route

Distance: 24 km (1h35)
Type of route: Day trip, round trip
Starting point: Alkmaar train station
- Bicycle rental
- Car parking
GPS: Download this route as a GPX file.

Find out more:

- For an overview of all of our must-do cycle routes, go to: Day trips.
- For an overview of Guided tours in the Amsterdam region, go to our Guided tours section.
- Do you need to rent a bike? Find out how on our Bicycle rental page.
- For an overview of cycling holidays that include Alkmaar, go to our Holidays section.

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