The Cruquius Tour. (bike tour app. 50km)
Haarlemmermeerpolder is not far from Noordwijk. Land, that has been wrested from the sea, situated in the triangle between Leiden – Amsterdam – Haarlem. The towns people had been continuously scared by rising water levels. Out of that reason King William I. decreed the 'Haarlemmermeer' to be dyked.
The steam pumping station was erected in 1849 and is listed as a world monument. It’s a symbol for the continuous battle against water of the past centuries. In collaboration with the pumping stations in Lynden and Leeghwater the polder was dried within 3 years.
The bike tour will lead you through parts of the south- and north- Dutch dune areas and the estate Vogelsang. Via Bennebroek and Heemstede we’ll reach the puffing steam pumping station. A visit with information and a media presentation is possible.
Off we go again, over the dyke and along the “Ringvaart”. Flora and fauna of the polder area are a rare sight that we will be able to see. Once again through the beautiful flowery landscape we will come back to Noordwijk.
A casual trip with historical and technical sights.
