Zuiderzeepad, Long-distance hiking trail around IJsselmeer, Netherlands
The Zuiderzeepad is a long-distance hiking trail in the Netherlands that follows the former coastline of the Zuiderzee through Flevoland, North Holland, and South Holland. The route is divided into around 28 stages, each running along well-marked paths through coastal landscapes, polder areas, and historic towns.
The Zuiderzeepad follows the shore of what was once a shallow sea bay that served as a major waterway since the late Middle Ages. After the Afsluitdijk was completed in 1932, the sea became the IJsselmeer, a freshwater lake, and the land around it was gradually reclaimed.
The trail passes through former harbor towns like Enkhuizen, Hoorn, and Volendam, where old gabled houses and fishing boats still shape the streets today. In these towns, small museums and traditional smokeries show how people once lived off the sea.
The route is well marked throughout, so it can be followed without special navigation skills, though carrying a trail guide or map is always helpful. Because the path passes through many towns, it is a good idea to book lodging ahead of time, especially during summer.
One stage of the trail crosses the Afsluitdijk, a dike that separates two bodies of water, with the Wadden Sea on one side and the IJsselmeer on the other. This section has no shade and almost no shelter from the wind, making it a very different experience from the rest of the route.
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