About this activity
Industrial Heritage walking route; along the banks that made Zaandam great
This 5.3-kilometre walking route winds its way along the banks of the River Zaan as much as possible and tells the story of a town that was once the industrial heart of the Netherlands. Where factories once filled the air with the scents of cocoa and biscuits, there now stand distinctive residential buildings whose form and scale deliberately reference their predecessors.
Along the old Oostzijde and Westzijde river dykes, you’ll pass the stately villas of the former factory owners, whilst the side streets are lined with former workers’ cottages. A number of factories have been given a wonderful new lease of life: for example, the former Verkade biscuit factory has been converted, and the old Zwaardemaker barley mill has been repurposed. Along the way, there are stunning views across the water and you’ll pass special spots such as the Stuurmanspad with its beautiful houses and even a farm. There are plenty of places to stop off: the Monet Atelier, the Zaantheater, Café Zaanzicht and the Bullekerk Cultural Centre are all along the route.
The route can be downloaded as a GPX file. An informative and surprising city walk for anyone curious about the industrial past of the Zaan region.
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