Alkmaar

 

Besides the Amsterdam-Alkmaar section of the LF7 cycle route, two other national cycle routes (http://www.fietsplatform....) pass Alkmaar. The LF15 begins in Egmond aan den Hoef, 6 km south-west of Alkmaar, goes east to Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and ends at Enschede, near the German border. In Alkmaar, both routes LF7 and LF15 cross the bridge between the station and the old city at Zevenhuizen. The LF1, along the Belgian and Dutch coast to Den Helder, passes through Egmond aan den Hoef and Schoorl, where it links with the LF7.

There are several signposted cycle routes near Alkmaar - the Droogmakerij route, the Duinstreekroute, the Brede Duinen route, and the Dijkroute. They are circular routes, about 40 to 50 km long, which take you back to their starting point. Routes are usually indicated by hexagonal signs: some are on signposts, but others are on low posts and may be obscured by grass, so look carefully. You can also print a 41-km online cycle tour of Alkmaar and surroundings. (http://www.recreatief-fie...)

most scenic cycle route

The Brede Duinen route was voted the most scenic cycle route in the country, in 2005. You can join it as it crosses the cycle bridge over the Noordhollands kanaal in Alkmaar, 1 km north of the railway bridge. The route passes dune forest, open dunes, the modern sea dike at the Hondsbossche Zeewering, the older mediaeval dike behind it, and old polder landscape with windmills. You can also see how the Dutch upper-middle-class lives, in the dune-edge villages. The route passes through the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, and you need a day ticket € 1,20. You pass a ticket machine at the entrance to the reserve, just north of Bergen.

 

The Droogmakerij route goes around and through the reclaimed Schermer lake, passing almost 20 windmills. You can join it at the 4 windmills in Oudorp, along the Hoornsevaart canal.

The Dijkroute is longer 56 km, and further north: much of it runs along the mediaeval ring dike of West Friesland. You can join it at Petten, at the north end of the Hondsbossche Zeewering, or alternatively at Schagen station.

You can rent bikes at the station in Alkmaar, and in Bergen and Schoorl. You need to show a passport, and pay a refundable deposit.

Fietspoint Stoop, Stationsweg 43, Alkmaar, beside the station. The advantage is the long opening hours: they don't close until midnight. Open at 05.00 on weekdays, 07.00 on Saturday, and at 08.00 on Sunday. About € 8 per day. Reservations are advisable on fine days in summer, or for groups, call 072-5117907. (http://www.fietspointstoop.nl)

Tweewielercentrum Busker, Kerkstraat 1, Bergen

Rijwielhandel De Paardenmarkt, Paardenmarkt 45, Schoorl

Bikecenter, Paardenmarkt 23, Schoorl.

Raat Fietsverhuur, Duinweg 41, Schoorl

For more addresses in Alkmaar, Egmond aan Zee, Bergen aan Zee, Groet - in fact a complete list of all cycle rent facilities in the province, see (http://fietsliefhebber.tr...).

The things to do in Alkmaar are primarily to see the old city, to walk or cycle in the surrounding countryside, or to go to the beach see Get out, below. Although the canals in Alkmaar are sometimes narrow, and the bridges low, there is also a canal boat ride. The boats themselves are low, and have no roof: they depart from a jetty in the canal at Mient, almost opposite the Waag.

Rondvaart Alkmaar. From April to October, Monday to Saturday, every hour on the hour, from 11.00. From May to September also on Sundays, same times. The time of the last departure depends on the weather, and on the number of passengers waiting. It costs € 4,70 for adults, and € 3,20 for children. Tel. 072 - 511 77 50, e-mail: [email protected]. (http://www.rondvaartalkmaar.nl)

You can also hire a canoe, and paddle for yourself. This firm rents both bicycles and canoes:

Kano- en fietsverhuur de Kraak, Verdronkenoord 54, Alkmaar. € 11 per half day for a 1-person kayak, € 17 per half day for a 2-person kayak, € 20 per half day for a 3/4 person canoe, € 20 per half day for a 4-person waterbike, € 36 per half day for a 5-person motorboat, and € 36 for 4 hours maximum battery load in an electric boat. Tel. 072- 512 5840, fax. 072- 520 2705, e-mail: [email protected]. (http://www.dekraak.nl)

In fact you can go further than the old city, on the small canals around Alkmaar. (http://home.planet.nl/~jb...) The ring canal of the Bergermeer Polder Berger Ringvaart is accessible from the city, part of it runs about 300 metres behind the station, alongside a windmill Eendrachtsmolen. The Hoevervaart, the small canal to Egmond aan den Hoef, is also suitable for canoes. It is connected to the Berger Ringvaart, and to the moat around Alkmaar Singelgracht.