Molenroute Oost Cycle Route

East Windmill Route: cycling past the heroes of the Golden Age More than a thousand windmills once stood in the Zaan region. The East Windmill Route takes you on a 32-kilometre journey past the most beautiful and remarkable windmills that remain; from the iconic Zaanse Schans to windmills tucked away deep in the polder. A route for those who really want to understand the Zaan region. You set off from Zaandam, cycle via Oostzaan to the Zaanse Schans and pass one windmill after another along the way. You’ll pass working industrial mills that still press oil, make paper, saw timber and grind paint — crafts that have been practised here for centuries. A short detour takes you past De Koker mill in Wormer, a grain and husking mill dating from 1679. Even beyond the Zaanse Schans, the windmills keep coming: the De Bleeke Dood flour mill and Het Pink windmill in Koog aan de Zaan are real gems you’ll come across on the route. There are several pleasant stops along the way. The route can be downloaded as a GPX file. Allow plenty of time: if you also want to explore the Zaanse Schans along the way, you’ll easily need half a day to a full day. An unforgettable cycle ride for lovers of history, scenery and that typical North Holland atmosphere.