Walking in Alkmaar and the surrounding area
Do you like peace, open space and nature? You can find it in the Alkmaar area, such as the Schermer, Graft, De Rijp and the Eilandspolder. You’ll find the most beautiful routes on this page.
Do you like peace, open space and nature? You can find it in the Alkmaar area, such as the Schermer, Graft, De Rijp and the Eilandspolder. You’ll find the most beautiful routes on this page.
Do you like to walk? You will find many different walking routes in and around Alkmaar. Discover the city through a city walk or use the city as a starting point and walk through the surroundings of Alkmaar. Below you will find more information about the city walk in Alkmaar and about different routes that begin in Alkmaar.
Take a city walk and discover the old town of Alkmaar on foot. It’s possible to do this in many different ways: get a route description with background information at the VVV (tourist information centre) Alkmaar on the Waagplein (for children there is a city walk with a treasure hunt). Or book a tour with a guide through Alkmaar at VVV Alkmaar or Gilde Alkmaar.
The ‘Art on Street’ route is 6 kilometres long and takes you past exceptional art pieces, poems and other expressions of creativity on the streets of Alkmaar. Discover them all on this walking route.
From Alkmaar you can take a ferry to De Schermer and the Eilandspolder. A variety of farmland and marshland and, due to the enormous diversity of meadow birds, enthusiasts can thoroughly indulge themselves. Enjoy the peace and quiet during this walking tour.
This route takes you over the North Sea beach, through the expansive and varied North Holland dune reserve, and through the vastness and silence of the polder land, where you reach the historic fortified city of Alkmaar.
Do you like to take hikes in nature? You can also find these kinds of routes in the Alkmaar region! Hike through the green Eilandspolder or through the villages of De Rijp and Grootschermer. Or, take a hike towards the coast.
You can read more about the hiking and walking routes in the Alkmaar region below! Which route will you choose?
The hike through the ‘Land of Leeghwater’ goes through the unique wetland lowlands. It’s a large circle around the Eilandspolder. You will also pass the age-old Schermer Mills.
Fancy a nice village walk? In addition to nice shops and photogenic canals, the beautiful "Alkmaar" village of De Rijp has a lot of monuments! A description can be obtained at the VVV (tourist information centre) in the Raadhuisje (town hall).
This hiking route goes through the Eilandspolder. The route starts in De Rijp and gives you an optimal opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity. The many hiking trails make the area highly accessible.
On the De Rijp and Graftdijk route, you will walk through the historic villages, where you will find a lot of cultural history. There are also plenty of opportunities to take a break at one of the catering establishments.
Discover the 'city of the sun' on a 7-kilometre walking tour. Stad van de Zon is a neighbourhood that strives for an even distribution of consumption and its own generation of energy.
The Heiloo walking route is a walk of approximately 7 kilometres. The route goes through unique places in Heiloo. Feel free to take a break at one of the catering establishments that you will encounter along the way.
The Egmond route is about 10 kilometres long, and it goes past a number of inspiring places in Egmond. Here, too, you will find various restaurants where you can stop for a snack or drink.
There is a peat meadow area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar, Hoorn and Purmerend. Go on a discovery tour in the Eilandspolder. Here you can completely unwind.
A walk with the entire family is also fun. Especially in Alkmaar! There is a special route that has “little elfin doors”.
The route creates a fairy tale experience for children and adults. In the centre of Alkmaar you will find these famous “elf doors” in special places and in various shop windows. No fewer than 26 special little elf doors are hidden within the city’s centre.
Let yourself be enchanted by this fairy tale-like route.