Leiden, Benthuizen, Koudekerk aan den Rijn

The Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland has been ensuring dry feet and clean water in the lakes canals ditches and moats between IJmuiden Amsterdam-West Gouda and Wassenaar for 770 years. Because having enough water of good quality seems obvious but it is not. With ingenious water management this complex living environment in the Netherlands is carefully managed.

In the Middle Ages cooperation arose between the villages along the Old Rhine. By working together the excess water from the Rijnland region could be drained. This was done via the Spaarne to the IJ. These cooperations were called ‘heemraden’. From these later came the ‘hoogheemraden’.

Discover the history of water management in Rijnland with this fascinating cycle route. Not only will you pass the characteristic spots that tell you about the work of the water board you also get to enjoy the beautiful polder landscape.

Want more of this route or is 45.6 km just a bit too long for you? We also have the Rijnlandse Polderroute in its full version (66 km) and a shorter version (30.7 km).