Ever stopped to consider the story behind a roadside rest area? This is Hackelaar. It is more than just a place to stretch your legs. Hackelaar is a slice of Dutch history.
Hackelaar sits right off the A1 motorway between Muiderberg and exit 3 near Gooise Meren. It is on the route from Oldenzaal to Amsterdam. It is a welcome break for travelers.
Hackelaar offers modern conveniences. You will find a Shell gas station here. There is also a Fastned charging station for electric vehicles. Hungry? La Place and McDonald’s have restaurants here since late 2019 or early 2020.
But Hackelaar’s story goes deeper than just fast food and fuel. Its name might come from an old inn. This inn stood near the Hakkelaarsbrug.
Hackelaar has a unique geographical claim to fame. It lies exactly on the NAP zero line. This is the Dutch Ordnance Datum. In 2005, information boards were installed here. The boards were a joint effort. They came from the Netherlands Board of Tourism. The ANWB also helped. So did the Ministries of Transport and Culture. The boards show the null line to the public.
Across the highway is another rest stop. That one is called Honswijck. Road work changed Honswijck’s location. The A1 highway was widened. Honswijck was rebuilt slightly south. Hackelaar gained parking spots from the project.
There is a darker story tied to Hackelaar. One theory says a criminal made his first money here. Johan Verhoek supposedly traded used cars at the gas station. The nickname for the gas station was “De Hakkelaar”. Another story claims Verhoek stuttered. That is why they called him “De Hakkelaar”.
Hackelaar may seem like a simple pit stop. It reflects Dutch innovation. It shows geographic awareness. It even holds criminal whispers. Next time you stop at Hackelaar remember its hidden depths. It is a place where travel meets Dutch history.