It is a part of the municipality of Opmeer, and lies about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) northeast of Heerhugowaard.

Hoogwoud was first mentioned in 1289 as Officii de Alta Silua, and means "high forest".

[3] According to legend, Redbad, King of the Frisians was baptised in Hoogwoud in 718 by Wulfram of Sens.

[4] Hoogwoud developed in the Middle Ages as a peat excavation settlement.

[8] Hoogwoud is located in middle of the municipality of Opmeer in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands.