Hoek van Holland Off The Beaten Path

When you go for a walk along the New Waterway you will see the New Waterway is divided in 2 waterways. I just found out there is a piece of land in between of these 2 waterways which is reachable by car.

The views along way to the end of this piece of land in between are so breathtaking. It would be a shame when you miss this. Drive to Maassluis, when you come from Hoek van Holland. Take there the small ferry-boat and turn to the right to reach that way (is named the Noordzeeweg). It is a small road to drive though you will get the most beautiful view on the way outside of the Netherlands ...

4 more images

It's an interesting trip on which you can see how the Netherlands protect their land against high water. The Storm Surge in the river "Nieuwe Waterweg" is part of the Deltaplan. After the disaster in 1953 when a large piece of the Netherlands flooded the came up with this plan.

It involved raising the dykes in Zeeland and South Holland to 5 meters above sealevel about 1,5 meters higher then the storm surge in 1953.

There is no entrance fee and coffee is also free. They also have a small restaurant where you can eat soup, sandwiches and even pancakes.

The visitor center is open for public:

* Monday-Friday from 10.00 to 16.00 hours
* Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 11.00 to 17.00 hours
* We are only closed on 25 December, 31 december and 1 January.

Adress
Nieuw Oranjekanaal 139
3151 XL HOEK VAN HOLLAND

Directions can be found through Google earth or on the website mentioned below.

Location on map click here

While we were driving away we noticed a hot air ballon. We stopped to watch it and noticed they were trying to land. But because of the many bushes it was hard for them to land.

When they got closer to the nieuwe waterweg the decided they had to land..

All in all the succeeded without to many damage..


Picture taken june 1, 1998

If you wanna head for Hoek van Holland by car there is a beautiful way which leads you to the place. Most tourists do not know it. Just find the road-sign "Hoek van Holland" and, you'll pass the West-land. The Westland municipality covers almost 8 km Northsea coast.

This area got its second name "Glazen Region" (Area of Glass), because the inland is really famous for large glass houses where agriculture and horticulture have always been important (sometimes "green-houses" named). Already in 14th century there were products exported to England and, flowers and vegetables are exported all over the world.

Dreaming about pilot studs navigating their boats in an amazing, movable way over the rough ocean? You will find them here in Hoek van Holland.

See the yellow ships sailing out of the safety of the harbour to the coming into port ferries, vessels and tank-steamers ...

Tough, strong, seasoned pilots bring in the ships in often breakneck ways, so the profession of these pilots already became legendary.

You will find them in the middle of the narrow piece of land though you will not be able to reach them... for safety rules, sorry miladies ...

Watch the special lamp-posts in the mainstreet Prins Hendrikstraat of Hoek van Holland you will find in the small center.

These lamp-posts are little lighthouses, so significant for the Hoek van Holland people,
all sailors fo a very long and legendary time.

The lamp-posts got well-known here for the tourists ... so donot miss it.

It is possible to have a view at Hoek van Holland in a very surprising way ...

When by car drive to Maassluis and take the ferry-boat. Look for the road-signs of Maeslant Kering, (= Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier or Maeslant Barrier) and drive to the very end. At the right you will see Hoek van Holland and have the utmost stunning view at this small harbour-city ...

You could hire a bicycle (in the centre of Hoek van Holland) and have a wonderful day biking around here ... have fun!