Wood Wildrijk
Belkermerweg 78, Sint Maartenszee
Wildrijk
There were once many wooded estates of wealthy Amsterdam merchants in the western part of the Zijperpolder. When these lost interest, the area went wild. Later, during the digging of the North Holland Canal, it was cleared by camping guest workers. A few pieces of forest were spared. So did Het Wildrijk.
The forest is small, but very special. Good for a walk of just under an hour, especially in spring. Then, as far as you can see, the ground is covered with a blue carpet of wild wood hyacinths, with shades of pink and white here and there, interspersed with the fresh green of young ferns. Moreover, near the forester’s house, a few corners of wild white daffodils bloom Other unusual plants blooming there are the nodding bird’s milk and the spring sunflower. Singing nightingales, garden warblers and golden orioles complete this spring fairy tale.
A special kind of pumping station-a barrel mill-is used to keep the water level. The forest is intersected by dark ditches with reflecting black water. This makes Het Wildrijk one of the most beautiful properties of Landschap Noord-Holland.
