Wormer, Jisperveld and Neck

Kayak rentals:

East of Purmerend is a large polder with many canals suitable for kayaking. There's only one road in the polder dividing it into the  Jisperveld and and the Wormer. Towards Purmerend the polder narrows  and ends at the windmill named Neckermolen. This narrow part is named Neck. This is one of the largest salty swamps in Western Europe. There is some cattle-breeding, but not much as all transportation has to be done by boat. Watch the clip on the site about farmer Piet Praag. It is in Dutch, but still interesting to watch.

It is advisable to go kayaking here only if there's not much wind. There is a lot of open space, and the main canals are rather wide, in fact the Zwet and the Poel are lakes and the wind can be very tricky here. A good map of the area is published by Staatsbosbeheer in the series "Welkom bij de boswachter" number 35: "Veenweiden West". It is available by VVV tourist information, bookshops, and at the kayak shop Arend Bloem. The map also shows 3 different kayak routes, they are marked with coloured poles.But it is difficult to find the right way if you don't have this map. 

Mapmyride:

Starting point near Purmerend:  GPS Neckermolen: Lat 52.511700, Lon 4.919600

If you want to start at the easternmost point, you go to the windmill Neckermolen. To get there you exit the A7 at Purmerend (exit 5) and head towards the center of town. Then turn right twice in the direction of Spijkerboor. Follow the narrow road along the Noordshollands Kanaal until you come at the windmill. There is stone edge at the bridge, but while holding the grass you can manage to get into the kayak. From here there's only one way you can go. Follow the main canal until you see an island with trees straight ahead. Here you turn left and after the bridge you turn right to get to the actual starting point of this kayak route. There is a kayak-pier and a picnic table along the road.

Starting point Jisp: GPS Lat 52.506500, Lon 4.867500

To get here by car follow the signs towards Jisp from the town center Purmerend. The starting point is just before the first houses of Jisp on you left. From here you go to the right and turn left. At the main canal you turn right again. Keep following the main canal towards the village where it makes a few bends. Turn right and follow the main canal until you see the big windmill on your right. Then take the second canal to the right. This canal goes under the only bridge of Wormer. When you reach the wide canal (or actually a lake) named Zwet trun left and keep heading west. If there's a strong wind from the west (or east) there may be some waves here. The locks towards the Zaan are situated at the right site of industrial buildings and a farm with red tiles. There ara kayak piers where you can carry the kayak across the dike towards the Zaan. The Zaanse Schans is 3 km to the left. Kajak Centrum Arend Bloem is nearby to the right.

Starting point Wormer: GPS Lat 52.503200, Lon 4.794900

To get here by car, exit the N246 between Alkmaar and Wormerveer towards Wormer. After the bridge across the Zaan turn left. When you come at the Zaan turn right. The locks and the kayak shop Arend Bloem are nearby. From here you paddle on the lake De Poel and take the canal on the left, just after the last house. Just before the next house turn right at the island with the trees. Then turn left at the main canal. Go straight on until you can turn left into a canal that goes slightly to the right (not a 90 degrees angle). Go straight on until you reach the end of the canal. Then turn right. Turn left at the second canal (this is a main canal). If you keep going straight on you end up at the Neckermolen. If you want to go to the staring point Jisp, you turn right when you see the last houses of Jisp on your right and an island with trees on your left. Go under the bridge, and turn right. To continue towards Wormer, read further at the paragraph "Starting point Jisp".

In Neck there are kayak-piers, so from here you can continue on the canal along the polder. If you turn left and go under the bridge, you can reach the Noordhollands Kanaal.

De Poel

De Poel: starting point at the locks.

Neck and Neckermolen along the Noordhollands Kanaal. This is the easternmost point of the Polder Wormer Jisp and Neck.

Heron in Wormer.

Jisperveld

Bridge in Wormer near the windmill "De Koker".