Route from Zaandam into the vast fields

You go out and take ... one euro pp for the ferry! From Zaandam it goes between the trees and under the highway. Past meadows with cows and sheep, city life seems very far away for a while. On roads that are virtually car-free you drive between farmlands and experience the tranquility. Finally, near Purmerend, you drive into town. The town is surrounded by reclaimed land, such as the Purmer, which was reclaimed in the 17th century. The town became the market center of the area. Purmerend is therefore called market town especially after the many cattle markets. You will see the Bastion (also called Bolwerk) which is a protruding defensive structure. The route continues via Monnickendam to the Stootersplas. Due to the abundance of water, there are many marsh, reed and water birds, such as the bittern, shoveler, bearded reedling and wigeon. Around the water are meadows that include Scottish Highlanders, foxes and ermines, forests that include the great spotted woodpecker, jay and nightingale. The area is also home to birds of prey, such as the hawk, buzzard and kestrel. On the north side of Stootersplas a concrete nesting wall has been built where the bank swallow can dig a nest out of clay. Because the lake was excavated to a depth of over 30 meters, the bottom consists of sandy soil and the water is exceptionally clear compared to surrounding areas. In the 1960s, a great deal of sand was extracted from beneath the peat for the construction of the Coentunnel line.