In the 13th century, a dam with locks was constructed at the mouth of the Spaarne where the village of Spaarndam then formed.

Traveling up the river towards Haarlem, on the Heemstede side the dome of the Hageveld high school and former Catholic seminary can be seen.

Continuing under the bridge to Schalkwijk, on that side is windmill "De Hommel", a sawmill that is often open to the public on spring and summer weekends.

Het Spaarne and a few buildings by J.B. van Loghem, such as Tuinwijk, an early community living project sharing a garden.

Nearing the next bridge, on the edge of the wood the Haarlemmerhout, villa Welgelegen can be seen, that once had a garden all the way to the Spaarne.