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In Koggenland , there’s plenty of space. But there’s certainly no room for rushing.
The name derives from the medieval ‘koggen’: old judicial districts comprising a few neighbouring villages. In Koggenland , you don’t take the quickest route. Here, you drive past villages, ditches and farms, with the open countryside all around you. From Obdam to Avenhorn. And from De Goorn to Ursem. Each village has its own character. That’s what makes it a distinctive part of Westfriesland.
Head out and discover the green character of Koggenland.
Put on your shoes and off you go. From Avenhorn-De Goorn, you can walk straight out into the open countryside. Choose a short stroll through the village or take a longer route along the polder, Omringdijk and village lanes. Just fresh air and a West Frisian view.
View routes
Behind the West Frisian Omringdijk lies De Hulk. A water-rich recreational area with grass, trees, footpaths and play areas. You can go walking, cycling, boating and fishing there. There is space for children to play. For adults too, but then we call it walking.
Visit De Hulk
On the outskirts of Obdam stands Molen Weel en Braken. An old windmill nestled amongst the meadows. It used to keep the polder dry. Now it mainly helps to preserve the beauty of the landscape. Definitely worth a quick stop.
Read about the mill
Zuidermeer is small, but it’s great for walking. From the village, several routes lead through farmland, past waterways and quiet roads. Please note: during the breeding season, part of the water storage area is closed. In that case, you can easily walk via the Grootweg.
View the routes
Les Deux Ponts is located on the Slimdijk in Oudendijk. A waterside eatery, right next to the West Frisian Omringdijk. You can pop in for coffee, lunch, dinner or a drink on the terrace. It’s also a handy starting point for a walk, cycle, canoe or boat trip. Hit the road first, then sit down to eat. Or the other way round.
Book your table
Park Westerkogge is situated in Berkhout, nestled amongst meadows and water. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who wants to linger a little longer in Koggenland. From here, you can cycle, walk or head out onto the water. No need for a packed itinerary.
There’s no need to sit still for a moment here. At Speelparadijs Koggenland , children can jump on the bouncy castle and dive into the ball pit.
On warm days, the outdoor swimming pool offers another way to cool off and have fun.
Come and play
At Kinderparadijs Koggenland in Hensbroek, children can climb, jump, run and play outdoors. Inside, there is almost 2,000 m² of play space. Outside, there is a lawn, playground equipment and space for a game of football. More info about Kinderparadijs Koggenland
This route takes you through the open country between the Beemster and the Markermeer. You cycle past dykes, villages and old lines that shape the landscape. Peace, space and views come naturally here.
Discover the bulb fields on this cycle route. It’s particularly beautiful in April when everything is in bloom. Outside the flowering season, the traditional farmhouses and open polder landscape still make it an attractive ride.
This route shows how water and land have shaped Westfriesland. Along the way, you’ll pass villages, waterways and historic landscapes, with the Broeker Veiling – the world’s oldest sail-through auction – among the highlights.
At Museumboerderij De Anloup in Zuidermeer, you can step inside a traditional Westfrisian farmhouse filled with clothing, tools and everyday objects from rural life in the past.
The small, personal collection offers a glimpse into how people once lived and worked in the region. In December, the museum also displays a large collection of nativity scenes. De Anloup is open by appointment, so contact the museum before your visit.
Plan a visit
At Museumboerderij De Anloup in Zuidermeer, you step inside a West Frisian farmhouse. There you’ll see clothing, tools and utensils from farming life of yesteryear. Small, personal and full of items with a story to tell. More info about Museum Farm De Anloup
At Ootje Konkel, it’s all about pancakes and a good chat. The name says it all: ‘konkel’ means a cosy chat in West Frisian. And that’s exactly what happens here. For children, there’s a play area where they can have a go. Meanwhile, you can simply sit back at the table with a nice glass of wine.
At Villa GROET in Avenhoorn, you can simply pop in for lunch or dinner. The kitchen is open all week and the atmosphere is welcoming. Settle down in the eatery or find a spot on the terrace. Here you can enjoy a lovely view over the water.
At Eetcafé Halfweg in Ursem, sit down for a meal or a drink. No fuss, just a place where you can easily drop in and linger. Tip: you can also hire a Borrelboot here for a half or full day. Head in the wind, drink in your hand and go.
Fancy a quick break? De Overkant is housed in a genuine West Frisian farmhouse in Berkhout. Pull up a chair for breakfast, lunch, drinks or a hearty meal. With a spacious terrace and a children’s play area, even the youngest members of your party will be well looked after.
Spend the night in a traditional farmhouse dating from 1870, right in the heart of the countryside. Here you’ll find yourself surrounded by meadows, with peace and quiet all around you and Hoorn just a short distance away. No hustle and bustle, just a place with its feet firmly on the ground.
In Zuidermeer, you sleep in the back house of a 1929 cheese-cover farmhouse. Out in the open country, inside just fine. A place for those who like to keep it quiet, with the West Frisian countryside on their doorstep.
At Minicamping De Rozenbottel, opened in May 2025, you camp on a small scale with the land and animals around you. A place where you are outside and do your own thing. Just right for those who like to keep things quieter. Don't have your own tent? No problem, just rent the mega-caravan.
At André Hoeve in Spierdijk, cheese is made with milk from the farm’s own cows. The farm shop sells freshly cut Beemster cheese, home-roasted nuts and a range of other local products. A good place to taste and take home produce made close to the source.
At Melktap Grosthuizen, you can buy fresh milk directly from the farm. Bring a bottle, fill it at the milk dispenser and pick up some local cheese while you’re there. Simple, fresh and straight from the farm.
At Family Foodz in Berkhout, you can buy potatoes and onions straight from the farm. Stop by the roadside stall, pick up what you need and take a little piece of the Westfrisian countryside home with you.
In Koggenland , it’s all about getting out and about. Walk through the polders, cycle past villages or tackle a section of the West Frisian Omringdijk. Near Scharwoude lies the De Hulk recreation area, where you can walk, cycle, go boating and fish. You’ll also find plenty of heritage sites, restaurants and cafés, and farmland in villages such as Obdam, Ursem, Zuidermeer and Oudendijk. Just head out and explore.
Koggenland includes, amongst others, Avenhorn, Berkhout, De Goorn, Grosthuizen, Obdam, Oudendijk, Scharwoude, Spierdijk, Ursem and Zuidermeer. The former municipalities of Obdam and Wester-Koggenland also merged to form the municipality Koggenland in 2007. Each village has its own character, ranging from dyke villages to ribbon villages, and from polders to village squares.
Yes, Koggenland is a great place for walkers and cyclists. You can cycle along polder roads, through villages and along sections of the West Frisian Omringdijk, following the cycle junction network. Several walking routes through the open countryside start from Avenhorn-De Goorn. Put on your shoes, unlock your bike and off you go.
Yes, especially if your children love being outdoors. At De Hulk, there are play areas and space for walking, cycling or fishing. Kinderparadijs Koggenland is located in Hensbroek, just outside the villages we’ve highlighted at the top of this page. Prefer to stay within the villages? Then why not go for a short walk, a stroll along the dyke or grab a bite to eat by the water in Oudendijk.
In Koggenland , you’ll find village cafés, restaurants and outdoor terraces along the routes. In Oudendijk lies Les Deux Ponts, a waterside eatery and the starting point for walking, boating, canoeing, inline skating and cycling trips. It’s situated right on the Westfriese Omringdijk. First out and about, then over a meal. Or the other way round – we’re not fussy about it.