In the first polder of later Flevoland, there were three air watch towers in the 1950s and 1960s. They bore the names 6K1, 6K2 and 6K3, which in practice were called Karel 1 to 3 when reported. The Karel 1 was on Urk, next to the Kerkje aan de Zee, the Karel 2 was in the Emmelerbos in Emmeloord and the Karel 3 was in the Enserbos in Ens.
The air watchtowers were used to scan the skies for fast and low-flying aircraft from the former Soviet Union, which were feared to fly into the country under radar to drop enemy paratroopers or bombs.
The air watchtowers were made redundant and…
In the first polder of later Flevoland, there were three air watch towers in the 1950s and 1960s. They bore the names 6K1, 6K2 and 6K3, which in practice were called Karel 1 to 3 when reported. The Karel 1 was on Urk, next to the Kerkje aan de Zee, the Karel 2 was in the Emmelerbos in Emmeloord and the Karel 3 was in the Enserbos in Ens.
The air watchtowers were used to scan the skies for fast and low-flying aircraft from the former Soviet Union, which were feared to fly into the country under radar to drop enemy paratroopers or bombs.
The air watchtowers were made redundant and already demolished from the mid-1960s onwards, but the 1.8-metre-deep concrete foundation remained in the ground and can still be seen today. An information panel was subsequently placed at each of the Flevoland air watchtowers, with explanations and pictures from the time when they were still in full use.
It is in any case interesting to take a look at such a foundation and information panel, but for those who are particularly interested in this, a bicycle route has also been set out that leads past all three former air watchtowers. This contains not only the locations of the towers, but also tips for sightseeing, catering and even accommodation locations along the way. So you can feel free to make it a multi-day cycling tour.
Incidentally, this cycle route passes a tower that does still exist: the Ramspol tower in Ens. This is similar in construction to the earlier air watch towers, but it is actually an observation tower, just for the nice view of the Northeast Polder, Kamper Island and the Flevopolder. So this tower has never been used to spot low-flying aircraft. It is, however, open daily and free to climb, so very worthwhile as a stopover.
Of course, you can start this bike tour at any location you like, but bearing in mind that you may not have your own bike (with you), our route suggestion starts at the bike hub on Schokland, where you can park for free and grab electric share bikes.
Deelfietshub Schokland
Middelbuurt 3
8319 AB Schokland
Navigate to starting point
Voormalige luchtwachttoren Karel 3
Ens
Cafe Restaurant Chillers
Veerplein 1
8301 AH Emmeloord
Hotel Restaurant Grandcafé 't Voorhuys
De Deel 20
8302 EK Emmeloord
Voormalige luchtwachttoren Karel 2
Emmeloord
Hotel Van der Valk Emmeloord
Het Hooiveld 9
8302 AE Emmeloord
Tourist Info Urk
Dormakade 1
8321 EM Urk
Voormalige luchtwachttoren Karel 1
Urk
Keileemweg 1
8319 AC Schokland
Museum-Restaurant Schokland
Middelbuurt 3
8319 AB Schokland
