Verken Den Helder te voet

With water on three sides, Den Helder enjoys a unique location. Napoleon Bonaparte also recognized this, naming the city the Gibraltar of the North in 1811. It was the ideal spot for a naval port, and thus began Den Helder's military history. Today, the city is inextricably linked to the navy and the Den Helder Defence Line.

This walking route takes you past one of the old forts: Fort Dirksz. Admiraal. You'll also discover the charm of the Helderse city center and pass historical traces of the past.

Fort Dirksz Admiraal: een verdedigingsbolwerk vol historie

Voor de bescherming van de marinehaven liet Napoleon vier forten bouwen: Kijkduin, Erfprins, Dirksz Admiraal en Oostoever. Deze werden later met elkaar verbonden door een liniedijk en vormen samen de Stelling van Den Helder.

Fort Dirksz Admiraal, gebouwd in 1813 door de Fransen, ademt nog steeds geschiedenis. In de late 19e eeuw kreeg het bomvrije onderkomens, manschappenruimtes en kruitkamers. Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog plaatsten de Duitsers er een luchtafweerbatterij. Hoewel het fort niet meer volledig intact is, zijn veel structuren nog zichtbaar en voel je de militaire historie.

Along city parks and forgotten railway lines

The route continues through Quelderduyn city park, a green oasis in the heart of the city. At Schootenweg, you cross a small bridge. What many people don't know is that a branch of the railway line between Den Helder and Alkmaar once ran under this bridge. This railway line was constructed in 1865 as the second section of the Dutch Iron Railway Company.

At the time, a trip to Alkmaar took 70 minutes. The branch line ran to the industrial port, allowing ocean-going vessels to unload their cargo directly into train wagons. This stretch of track is now overgrown and largely gone, but the small bridge still serves as a reminder of this industrial past.