Course

During the Oer-IJ Expeditie, participants can choose between 5 different routes: 10, 17, 23, 26 and 32 km. All 5 routes consist of a real voyage of discovery. Each route shows many remnants of the old Oer-IJ and the role of wind and water in the formation and later use of this landscape. During the event, the participants will get to know the fascinating past of this green heart in Kennemerland in a special way.

The routes all start and finish close to the station of Castricum and run through the regions of Castricum, Akersloot, Uitgeest and Heemskerk.

During the Oer-IJ Expeditie there are 5 different routes:

11 km - Duin and Bosroute

The Duin and Bosroute is a very nice varied route where we give extra attention to families with young children. Like all other routes, this route also first goes through the ground of the Beach Finds Museum along the PWN water storage and nature development project. After this, the route continues over the area of the former psychiatric hospital Duin and Bosch with beautiful nature and old buildings. The Koningskanaal is crossed to get to the Vogelenzang lake, both are man-made with interesting history. A little further along the route is Visitor Center De Hoep where you can experience everything about the management of drinking water and nature in the dune area. The route continues through the varied dune area, where you are treated to a beautiful view of the landscape formed by wind and water.

16 km - Dog- and Katroute

The 17 km route goes over the Oosterbuurt to the strategic location of the old castle Cronenburg. Then you walk straight through the Castricummer polder, the low-lying estuary of the Oer-IJ with old creeks as current watercourses. At Uitgeest, the route passes the windmills De Dog and De Kat, each of which drains its own polder. Afterwards you can take a short break on the always pleasant Regthuysplein. The route continues to Heemskerk. Exactly where the Oer-IJ found a passage to the sea between the old beach walls. Here the route follows the northern branch of the Oer-IJ. You reach the forest edge through the horticultural strip to reach the finish underneath the Papenberg.

22 km - Molens- and Kastelenroute

This route follows the 17 km route, but after crossing the northern branche of the Oer-IJ, an extra loop follows the strategically located castle Assumburg. This is one of the 10 castles that were very close to each other in semi-arc. You hear and see the reason for this at one of the information points, in which the water also played a role. Just like the nearby inundation areas of the Defense Line of Amsterdam. After visiting the castle with its beautifully landscaped garden, the route continues along the southern branch of the Oer-IJ, which ends at Marquette Castle, which is hidden behind trees. The route then reconnects with the 17 km route.

25 km - Langemeer- and Geestenroute

This route follows the 17 km route, but after crossing the northern branche of the Oer-IJ, an extra loop follows the strategically located castle Assumburg. This is one of the 10 castles that were very close to each other in semi-arc. You hear and see the reason for this at one of the information points, in which the water also played a role. Just like the nearby inundation areas of the Defense Line of Amsterdam. After visiting the castle with its beautifully landscaped garden, the route continues along the southern branch of the Oer-IJ, which ends at Marquette Castle, which is hidden behind trees. The route then reconnects with the 17 km route.

31 km - Langemeer- and Kastelenroute

This route takes in all the beautiful landscape features. The route is the same as the 26 km route, but follows the 23 km route after Regthuysplein. After the locations where the disappeared castles of Cronenburg and Ackersloot used to be, Assumburg and Oud-Haerlem are also visited. A route to be able to cover many kilometers, but also to consciously take the time for all the beautiful things along the way.