TOUR 7: Houtrak This tour leads through Amsterdam's western harbour area and the Houtrak Polder where the village Ruigoord lies. The turning point is at the Spaarnwoude recreational area near the Noordzee-kanaal. You thus may combine it with tour 4 (Spaarnwoude). A map is to be provided. NOTE: I have named the "Spaarnwoude-Houtrak" recreational area within the Houtrak polder "Houtrak recreational area" and termed the larger recreational area (see tour 4) lying near the Noordzee kanaal "Spaarnwoude recreational area". To make things worse there is also a village named Spaarnwoude under Spaarndam (situated near the Spaarne river !), but the tour does not lead through there. Confused ? Just follow the directions and you'll be OK. Distance Asphalt Rating Remarks Getting There The Route Take the first right, along the facade of the "Belastingdienst" building, and then the second left onto the Teleportboulevard. The ramp takes you up to the level of the main entrance of Sloterdijk train station. Continue west over the tram tracks and cross down to the Naritaweg. At the end of the Naritaweg, turn left. The first bicycle path westward is the Brettenpad. 5 km (Brettenpad): When the Brettenpad surfaces on the southwestern side of the Australiehavenweg, turn left. Soon you see a bike path at your left through a field. Don't take it. The asphalt becomes rough after a few hundred meters. Instead, take the next road left through the industrial zone. Follow the asphalt as it zig zags west and north. The final stretch west as you leave the buildings behind is the Aberdaan. Cross the short patch of brick paving where the Aberdaan ends. Just as you pass the water pumping installation, take the clay coloured bicycle path that veers to the right. Follow it to Spaarnwoude Houtrak. 10 km (Houtrak Recreational Area): Mushroom #24099: follow "Spaarndam 5.9" Mushroom #??: follow "Spaarndam 4.9" Mushroom #24111: follow "Spaarndam 4.2" Mushroom #24114: follow "Spaarnwoude 3.2"; cross the road near the farm called "Cravenstein" Mushroom #24354: follow "Spaarnwoude 2.7" Mushroom #24807 at 3-cross (driesprong): follow "Ruigoord 1 + IJmuiden 13" (right) Mushroom #24100 at 3-cross (driesprong): follow "Werdhofbos 2,9" Mushrooms #24101 and #24102: follow "Werdhofbos 2,9"; turn left at Noorderweg. The country road leads to a road along a canal (Zijkanaal C). Cross the road and turn right (direction Buitenhuizen) taking the bicycle path alongside it going towards the bridge you should see ahead. 19 km (Turning Point; Spaarnwoude Recreational Area): 25 km (Groote IJpolder): From the pumping-station go straight until you reach Aberdaan. Follow Aberdaan and Vaalmuiden. Turn right at the Australiehavenweg. Take the winding Brettenpad again (left from the Australiehavenweg). At the end of the Brettenpath at the Seineweg turn left and go along until you reach the Naritaweg again. 30 km (Naritaweg): 35 km (Westerpark): |
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Last modified: July 6, 1997 22:00 |
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