The Helderse Vallei is the starting point of the 4 well-marked canoe routes from Den Helder with various footbridges along the way. In addition, Den Helder has various waterways that are easily accessible for canoes. The city and defense route (red route, 6 km there and 6 km back) passes Fort Dirks Admiraal, Fort Erfprins, Fort Westoever, the line and Willemsoord. Den Helder has a special line of defense that runs right through the city. This line of defense was built to protect Willemsoord, once the port and shipyard of our fleet, from attacks from the land. A visit to Willemsoord guarantees a pleasant day! Fort Westoever was built around 1825 to defend the newly built North Holland Canal against attacks on the port of Den Helder. In 1954 the fort was taken over by the Royal Netherlands Navy. They set up an emergency diesel power plant in the fort. Fort Westoever is the last link in the chain of forts, the passage to Willemsoord and the outer harbor. Fort Dirksz. Admiral is a living history book. From 1812-1813 the fortress was built by the French. In the years 1880-1890 the fortress was equipped with bomb-proof shelters. During the German occupation, the fortress was converted into an anti-aircraft battery. Fort Erfprins is not only the largest fort at 49 hectares, but also has the longest Bombproof barracks in the Netherlands. It is a 3 pentagonal bastion with 3 ravelins and an envelope. To this day, the fort is used by the Ministry of Defense. On the south side of Fort Erfprins are the remains of the oldest surviving defense system of the Den Helder Defense Line: Kaaphoofd Battery. Fort Kijkduin (museum and saltwater aquarium), Fort Harssens and Fort Oostoever are also part of the Den Helder defense line, but do not directly border the route.
De Stad- en Stellingroute
Nearby locations
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De Snackcounter
Snacks and fries in the city center of Den Helder, fast and tasty
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Restaurant Stoom
Restaurant Stoom is a hip and trendy a-la-carte restaurant in Den Helder. A place for everyone to dine, work, meet and especially enjoy in a personal atmosphere. Stoom is situated in a unique spot in a beautiful monumental building at Willemsoord, which formerly served as a shipyard and maintenance yard for the Royal Dutch Navy. Glass, brick, wood and steel are the original elements that you encounter in the restaurant. Tough and robust.
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VR activiteiten
Virtual Reality – ook wel VR genoemd – is een technologie waarbij je een speciale bril op je hoofd zet en je jezelf in een andere wereld waant.
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Dr. Shoe Den Helder
Traditional shoe repairs and keys with care and craftsmanship
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Blauwe Zeeridder
Sail from Den Helder onto the Wadden Sea and spot seals from a sloop
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Deugeniet
Homely lunch spot with cake, sandwiches and hospitality in Beatrixstraat
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Medemblikker Loods
The Medemblikkerloods on Willemsoord is a place where history comes to life. Here, wood is still worked, just as it was in the past. The name refers to the carpenters from Medemblik who practiced their craft here in the 19th century. In their original shed, dating from 1833, wood was dried after years of soaking in the Binnenhaven to soften it enough for working. After serving as a copper warehouse, metalworking shop, and storage for dockworkers, the old shed was demolished in the 1980s. But in 2003, it was rebuilt with the same design and renewed energy. It is now a well-equipped woodworking shop where restoration and maintenance of classic ships—from botters to sloops—are carried out. Thanks to support from the Wadden Fund and the efforts of dozens of volunteers, this shed has become a vibrant place. You'll also find an instruction room and storage facilities, all dedicated to preserving the Museum Harbor. Everything here exudes craftsmanship, a love of maritime heritage, and a focus on sustainability. The warehouse is managed by the Willemsoord Shipyard Foundation. A visit is more than just seeing – it's experiencing how past and future merge in wood, hands, and stories.
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Restaurant “Robuust foodies & goodies”
"Robuust" is an inspiring place in the city centre of Den Helder where you can go for good and honest products. Practically everything is fresh and homemade. We work as sustainable and organic as possible.
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Hotel Lands End
Three-star hotel with sea view at the very tip of Den Helder