Societas Ambulationis Academica - The regular practice trajectory: Haarlem-Katwijk

From there it leads across the Grote Markt (venue for knights' jousts in the Middle Ages, then called ''t Sant' or 'The Sand' because that's what it was, and as the small river was called that then ran across it diagonally, and that to this day flows below it by much the same course) and, to the right of the ancient Town Hall, through the Zijlstraat and onward through the magnificent old centre of town. Past Smit en van Rijsbergen, revendors of Dutch Orders, past Café 't Melkwoud, across the Gedempte Oude Gracht and through the second stretch of Zijlstraat we reach the bridge, by the Kinderhuisvest, across the Leidsevaart.

At its far side, we turn left unto the Zijlsingel and move past the Municipal Departments and by the Patronaat to the head of the Brouwerskade.

Here we hang a right, and follow the kade or quay until, at the end of it, we can cross the bridge diagonally to the left, reaching the far side of the Brouwersvaart, and continue on our way on that side of the water, pass through the small railway tunnel below the tracks, and on along the Houtmankade to the Houtmanpad.

This gorgeous path along the water we follow from white wooden bridge to white wooden bridge, as it leads us under the Westelijke Randweg or western ringroad, by ancient pastures and past the former animal shelter to Overveen.

Having crossed that last white wooden bridge, we move down the last stretch of Houtmanpad to the crossing between the Korte Zijlweg and the Duinlustweg, the latter leading us along the beautiful Brouwerskolk, and its for notorious traffic islands, cherished target for plastered motorists, and past the entry to the Elswoutslaan.

Then we turn left, and continue to follow the Duinlustweg. On our right hand as we pass it now is the entrance to Middenduin, an exceptionally pretty and relatively quiet recreational area of walking trails. Immediately after that, we leave the Elswout estate, equally beautiful, but usually crowded with day trippers, to our left, and hike onward, straight ahead, down the cycle path (do be careful!) to Kraantje Lek.

Kraantje Lek is the end of the first part of our practice trajectory. Therefore, we sometimes rest here, especially if the company includes any untrained. Admittedly, the rustic atmosphere of the establishment, especially inside, in the old farmer's bar with its hunting trophies, like the hot cocoa and pancakes, is not to be sneezed at.

But for the true hiker, who's just beginning to get warmed up now, who has sniffed the forest air and smells the grand tranquility of the dunes, halting here is an irrtating interruption, a disgrace and a delay of the revolting kind. Better, therefore, to direct our steps rightward, to the Rockaertsduinweg, and the start of the Visscherspad, and the rest of the journey.

On to Part II | Back to the Preface