West Graftdijk by the Eilandspolder

West Graftdijk borders the protected Natura 2000 area of the Eilandspolder. If you are looking for a hotel in West Graftdijk, the landscape and activities can help you decide whether the area suits your travel interests. Here, peat meadows and birdlife are just as much a focus as cycling routes with different themes. Some pass through the village; one also offers insights into local history. This makes it easier to decide in advance whether wildlife watching, exercise or a historical connection is most important to your trip.

Peatland landscape and birdlife

The Eilandspolder protected area covers 1,950 hectares, a quarter of which is water. Its extensive peat meadows have swampy, nutrient-rich peat soil. This landscape provides a habitat for meadow and marsh birds. Species include black-tailed godwit, lapwing, oystercatcher, bittern and reed warbler; which birds you can see varies by season.

De Saskerlei is also an example of a distinctive landscape type: it is the last remaining stretch of peatland in the Alkmaarder- en Uitgeestermeer. Saline peat and marine clay in the soil are among its distinctive natural features, providing a habitat for various plant and animal species. Other nature spots offer different attractions: Kerkemeertje, near West-Graftdijk, is a shallow bird lake with a bird hide. Kerkemeertje refers to the shallow bird lake near West-Graftdijk with its bird hide; Uilenbosje also has a viewpoint along a boot trail. This clearly distinguishes the extensive protected area, the lake with its bird hide and the viewpoint along the trail.

Exploring on foot, by bike and on the water

The Eilandspolder nature reserve can be explored on foot, by bike, on roller skates and by sailing; in winter, ice skating is also possible. Various routes lead to particularly scenic spots. The options listed therefore offer different ways to explore the landscape. When planning, the season is explicitly relevant above all for ice skating.

Cycling routes with different themes

The “Haring- en Hennep fietsroute” cycling route passes through West-Graftdijk. It explores the history of the former Schermereiland: the struggle against the water, its rich maritime history, and the reclamation of the Beemster and Schermer areas. If you would like to understand the historical context of the landscape as well, this route offers a specific focus. Check the route details before setting off.

The “Rondje Pontje Polderland” cycling route also passes through West-Graftdijk, but has a different focus: it uses three ferries. Cyclists must operate one of them themselves, and ferry availability may vary by season. Check the route details and seasonal availability before setting off. This makes it easy to distinguish between the historical focus of the “Haring- en Hennep fietsroute” and the ferry-focused “Rondje Pontje Polderland.”

Discover more destinations: Graft, De Rijp.

Go to the regional travel overview: Graft-De Rijp.