Do you have such a place, close to home, where you can get away from the daily hustle and bustle and relax? The Kerkepad in Wormer, in the middle of the meadows, is mine. This cycling and walking path lies on the edge of the Wormer- and Jisperveld and connects the Dorpsstraat with the Engewormer polder. It is heerlijk quiet and the sunrise is at its most beautiful here.

This is where I run my running laps, among the meadow birds and with the spinning windmills of the Zaanse Zaanse Schans in the distance. Favourite moments: in winter after a night of frost or when the grass has just been cut and on a long summer evening...

This is also the place to be for koek & zopie because Wormer's ice rink is located on Kerkepad. Every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning you can have your skates sharpened at Nova Zembla. Hopefully we can get them out of the grease again soon!

Adventure in the polder

Would you also like to get some fresh air in my polder? Near the Kerkepad you will find several short but also longer walking routes through this southern part of the Wormer- en Jisperveld. A special one is the adventurous walking route on the Laarzenpad. The route is unpaved and goes straight through the meadows. So there is no real path and along the way you climb over fences, balance along mud pools and pass flocks of grazing sheep. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes that are also allowed to get dirty. It can be quite wet and muddy!

Uniquely, this is one of the most important bird areas in Europe. Almost all meadow bird species found in the Netherlands breed here. So there is always something to see. To allow the birds to breed peacefully, you can only take this walk between 15 July and 15 October, outside the breeding season.

On the way, you pass Watervliet farm, owned by the de Hertog family. This care farm offers organic meat from its own farm. Further on, at the Rest Point on the Swarthoeve farm, you can catch your breath from your adventures in the polder with tea, coffee or limo. The Swart family keeps cows and sheep here and runs a cosy farm campsite with lovely views across the field.From here, you walk back towards the small bridge of the Kerkepad path, back to the centre of Wormer.

Tip: a well-deserved lunch at de Huiskamer! What is your favourite place in the Zaan region? I am curious!