The most beautiful autumn walks in the Zaan region
Fresh air, changing colours of the leaves and that characteristic soft autumn light over the Zaan and the nature reserves: autumn is perhaps one of the most beautiful seasons to explore the Zaan region on foot.
Be sure to look up as you walk. Scattered throughout the Zaanstreek are surprisingly old and remarkable trees, some of which have been part of the Zaanstreek streetscape for over two centuries. At the bottom of this blog, we’ve listed the most remarkable (monumental) trees.
Gortershoek and Domineestuin: a walk through historic Zaandijk in the Zaan region
Anyone walking through the Gortershoek and the Domineestuin will get a wonderful glimpse of old Zaandijk. Here, you’ll walk past characteristic wooden houses, narrow streets and green gardens, with views of the River Zaan from various spots.
It is precisely in autumn, when the trees change colour and the streets become a little quieter, that the historic atmosphere of this neighbourhood really comes into its own.
It’s best to go for a walk on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. That way, you can also pop into the ‘ Honig Breethuis ’ along the way, where you can discover how a well-to-do merchant family from the Zaan region lived around 1830.
And after all that walking? For beer lovers, HOOP Brewery is a lovely place to round off the day with an autumn bock beer.
View the Oud-Zaandijk walk
City Restoration Route: monuments along the Zaan
If you love historic heritage, the Stadsherstelroute is the perfect choice. This route takes you past remarkable buildings, monuments and places that tell the story of the Zaanstreek’s development.
The great thing about this route is that you decide entirely for yourself how much time to set aside for it. Stroll leisurely from place to place and make as many stops at historic sites as you like along the way.
Fancy covering a few more kilometres? The route is also ideal for cycling. Perfect for a dry autumn day when you want to combine culture with the great outdoors.
View the Stadsherstelroute walk
Wormer walking route: nature and industrial heritage
Can’t decide between nature and heritage? Then you won’t have to choose on this walk.
The Wormer Walking Route beautifully illustrates just how close these two places are to one another in the Zaanstreek. You’ll walk through the vast Wormer and Jisperveld, where nature slowly changes colour in autumn, whilst also passing impressive examples of the Zaan region’s industrial heritage along the way.
One moment you’re looking out over ditches, meadows and reed beds; the next, you’re standing amongst buildings that serve as a reminder of the region’s rich industrial history.
For those who enjoy a bit of variety, this might well be the ideal autumn walk.
View the Wormer walking route
Westzaan circular walk: discovering hidden gems
Westzaan is one of those places where, whilst out for a walk or a cycle ride, you often find yourself thinking: I really must come here more often.
The village has a specially protected village view and is surrounded by the characteristic Zaan peat meadow landscape. On the ‘Rondje Westzaan’ walk, nature, history and culture constantly alternate.
Along the way, you’ll pass places you might not come across straight away if you only visit the Zaanstreek’s best-known highlights. That’s precisely why this circular walk is great for anyone who wants to see the region from a different angle. Be sure to look around carefully as you go, as Westzaan is home to several remarkable old trees. Further on in this blog, you can read where to find them.
View the Westzaan walking route
More walking routes through the Zaan region
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The Twiske
The Twiske
Active and sportsRecreatiegebied Het Twiske covers 650 ha, with water and forest. The Roemerroute runs through the Oostzan...
(3.9 km) -
Twiskeroute - 16 KM
Twiskeroute - 16 KM
Active and sportsDiscover the beautiful nature around the capital. The Twiskeroute is the grand tour of Het Twiske e...
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Old Krommenie
Old Krommenie
Active and sportsKrommenie and Assendelft, once separated by water, now by road and rail. Assendelft: cattle. Kromm...
(5 km) -
Walk Wormerveer
Walk Wormerveer
Active and sportsWormerveer, with its open waterfront and homes along the Zaan, offers lively specialist shops and quiet...
(6.3 km) -
Schaalsmeerpolder walking route in the Wormer-en Jisperveld
Schaalsmeerpolder walking route in the Wormer-en Jisperveld
Active and sportsBetween Oostknollendam and Wormer, you can walk right through the beautiful Wormer and Jisperveld: the vast...
1 hour 29 minutes (4.4 km) -
Twiskeroute - 16 KM
Twiskeroute - 16 KM
Active and sportsDiscover the beautiful nature around the capital. The Twiskeroute is the grand tour of Het Twiske e...
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The Zaanse Port area
The Zaanse Port area
Active and sportsZaandam played a major role in shipbuilding, with shipyards along the Zaan. The Hembrugterr...
(7.3 km) -
Walking route Wormer
Walking route Wormer
Active and sportsThe most varied walk of all 10 with both sweeping views and heritage. With out...
2 hours (7.5 km) -
Zaanse Landscape Painters
Zaanse Landscape Painters
Active and sportsExperience the Zaans bog with meadow birds such as black-tailed godwit and lapwing. Zaanish painters Freek Engel...
(10 km) -
Czar Peter & Monet
Czar Peter & Monet
Active and sportsArchitecture, urbanism and art meet in this walk. Discover the renewed city sh...
(5.3 km) -
Industrial Heritage
Industrial Heritage
City walkThe route follows the Zaan water, past former factories that are now residential complexes. You will see villa...
(5.3 km) -
Zaans Erfgoed
Zaans Erfgoed
Active and sportsThe Zaanse Schans, opened in 1972, is a top tourist attraction with historic wooden houses...
(6.1 km) -
Stadsherstelroute
Stadsherstelroute
RecreationalThis route through the Zaan region past 42 Stadsherstel monuments is about 8.5 km long and takes 35...
(8.5 km) -
Gortershoek and Domineetuin
Gortershoek and Domineetuin
Active and sportsThe Gortershoek in Zaandijk, 'The pearl of the Zaan region,' offers fine merchant houses, a museum...
(3.8 km)
