Versatile bicycle tour through South Kennemerland

After starting in IJmuiden, we cycle north to the North Sea Canal, where the views of the dunes and lighthouses vie for the most attention with the huge industrial complex of Tata-steel on the other side. After the boat ride, the route runs mostly through the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, with its fascinating flora and fauna. A few kilometers further on we arrive in the seaside resort of Wijk aan Zee, known for its famous international chess tournament and with a beautiful village church from 1420 in the center. The tour continues to Castricum, also a well-known coastal town and surrounded by bulb fields. After this we cycle a little inland, towards Bakkum, with the beautiful Duin en Bosch estate. The next stage leads to Heemskerk, an old and historically interesting village including the imposing St. Laurentius Church. Next town on this alternating route is Beverwijk, best known for Europe's largest indoor Bazaar. After this, the route passes through Velsen-Noord, known among other things for ancient archaeological finds from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Via a second ferry crossing, we reach the village of Driehuis, known among other things via the European walking route E9, also called the Dutch Coastal Path. We are now nearing the end of this 55 kilometer trek through the village of Santpoort, which also contains the highest point of the day in the form of the 45 meter high Brederodeberg.