Berkenwoude: Polder, Birdwatching Routes and Wind Motor
Accommodation in Berkenwoude
Berkenwoude is situated in a peat meadow area near Loetbos, along the Loet peat river. The name Berkenwoude is derived from the low-lying swamp forest that grew in the Krimpenerwaard before land reclamation began in the 11th century. The meadows around Berkenwoude were almost transformed into the Berkenwoudsche Plassen lakes, like those near Reeuwijk. Northwest of the village lies the Berkenwoudse Driehoek in the Krimpenerwaard.
Geographical setting
The Berkenwoude polder is characterised by meadows, copses and elongated Tiendwegen. A network of paths runs through these landscape features in the polder. A birdwatching hide offers views over a peat excavation pit. The Black Tern Route runs through meadows and over narrow dikes. Wellepoort 3, 2825 NB Berkenwoude, is listed as the address for the Black Tern Route.
Nature and paths
The Berkenwoudse Driehoek lies northwest of the village of Berkenwoude in the Krimpenerwaard. On the Black Tern Route, a side path near the Berkenwoudse Driehoek leads to a birdwatching hide. The route thus links the section through meadows and over narrow dikes with the aforementioned side path near the Driehoek.
In the polder, the Tiendwegen run in elongated lines between meadows and copses. The Berkenwoudse Driehoek is located northwest of the village, while Wellepoort 3 is listed as the address for the Black Tern Route in Berkenwoude. The landscape features and the named paths are therefore each in the spatial relationships verified.
Cycling and getting there
Cycling is not possible within the Berkenwoude polder, but it is very easy on the surrounding polder roads. The cycle path network in the Krimpenerwaard comprises 45 junctions and 153 kilometres of cycle paths. The Berkenwoude polder cannot be reached by public transport. There is a large car park near the polder at the corner of Schaapjeszijde/Wellepoort in Ouderkerk aan den IJssel. Another car park is located at the corner of Tiendweg/Schaapjeszijde.
The two car parks mentioned are located at intersections in Ouderkerk aan den IJssel. Schaapjeszijde, Wellepoort and Tiendweg are therefore documented as components of the specified car park addresses.
History and buildings
Kooilust lies northwest of Berkenwoude and is a summer duck decoy with four catching pipes. Nooitgedacht is known as Kooi van Verstoep and is a winter duck decoy northwest of Berkenwoude with five catching pipes. The Zuidbroekse Molen stands on the edge of the Zuidbroek polder. It is a so-called American wind motor, was built in 1922 and was made by Hercules Metallicus. The Zuidbroekse Molen is the last surviving wind motor in Zuid-Holland.
The Schuurkerk Berkenwoude stands next to the Hervormde Kerk. The “Churches and Windmills” route is 36 kilometres long and passes the Schuurkerk Berkenwoude. In addition to the duck decoys and the wind motor, the neighbouring church ensemble is therefore also among the named buildings and routes in the vicinity of Berkenwoude.
To the higher-level travel overview: Bergambacht.
