Course

During De 4 van Alkmaar you will discover the most beautiful walking routes in the Alkmaar area. From the beach to the forests, dunes, polders and historic city center.

Tuesday 9 June: Opening

The Grote Kerk will open its doors on Tuesday 9 June at 5:00 PM for the official opening of De 4 van Alkmaar. At that time, you can already collect your stamp card for the first day.
You will receive your stamp card upon presentation of your QR code. This QR code will be sent to you by email in the week leading up to the event and can also be found in your personal dashboard. It is also possible to collect your stamp card on Wednesday morning or on Saturday morning (if you are participating in the one-day event), before the start, from 6:15 AM.

Wednesday 10 June: The Heart of the West

Startlocation: Grote Kerk Alkmaar
Finishlocation: Canadaplein Alkmaar
De 4 van Alkmaar begins with an exploration of the beautiful The Heart of the West route. This route leads westward, where you discover a unique blend of polders, forests and dunes. The wide-open views across the quintessentially Dutch polders between Alkmaar and Bergen evoke a sense of peace and freedom, while the scents and colours of blooming grasslands and the sound of birdsong accompany you along the way.

Winding paths guide you through the polder landscape towards the coast. The four longest distances pass through the lively artists’ village of Bergen and by the iconic Ruïnekerk, after which the 20, 25 and 40 km routes continue into the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat. This exceptional dune area is known for its remarkable diversity of landscapes, offering a walk through forests, heathland, drifting dunes and serene lakes. The 40 km route even includes a stretch along the beautiful North Sea beach.

Eventually, all routes come together again at the charming Landgoed Het Oude Hof. On the way back towards the finish in Alkmaar, there is time to fully enjoy the polder scenery once more, with the dunes forming a stunning backdrop in the distance.

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Thursday 11 June: The Heart of the East

Startlocation: Grote Kerk Alkmaar
Finishlocation: Canadaplein Alkmaar
The Heart of the East route is all about nature, history and a harmonious contrast between old and new. All routes pass through the historic city centre, continuing through Victoriepark towards Schermereiland, where characteristic dike houses stand side by side with modern architecture.

In the Oudorperpolder, you walk through a green oasis that served as the setting for two great castles some 700 years ago—a place where it is easy to imagine history coming to life as you walk. After passing the monumental white church De Terp in Oudorp, the four longest distances split off.
Via the Poldermuseum, the 25 and 40 km routes lead through the charming villages of Oterleek and Rustenburg, continuing across the polder towards the Park van Luna. Here, all distances come together again and walkers can take off their shoes for a moment to enjoy the sand and gentle waves at the Strand van Luna.
On the return journey towards the city of Alkmaar, the route passes through Hortus Alkmaar, a wonderful spot for a short break, and continues past the distinctive Strijkmolens, set against a beautifully rustic Dutch meadow landscape. This area is also a protected breeding ground for meadow birds—an extra reason to savour the natural surroundings. The route concludes with a well-deserved finish at the lively Canadaplein.

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Friday 18 June

Start and finish location: AFAS Stadion
Your route starts from the AFAS Stadium and goes through the Heilooërbos. Also on this day there is another beautiful stamp location, namely Landgoed Willibrordus.

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Saturday 19 June

Start location: Sportcomplex Oosterhout
Finish location: Waagplein
On day 4 everything revolves around the festive closing of the Wandel4daagse Alkmaar. Enjoy the last kilometers, fun and beautiful nature. You walk through the atmospheric streets with a view of the unique Grote Sint Laurenskerk in Alkmaar to the finish location: the Waagplein in Alkmaar. On the Waagplein it’s one big party and your walking achievement is celebrated!