Dutch Waterscapes

Picturesque parks and canals, historic buildings and many interesting museums await you in Utrecht. In the vibrant city centre, numerous restaurants and bars invite you to linger.

From Utrecht you cycle along Fort Rijnauwen to Fort Vechten in Bunnik, where you can immerse yourself in the New Dutch Waterline at the Waterline Museum. The tour continues via Fort Jutphaas through historic Vreeswijk with its three beautiful locks. Then you cycle via Schalkwijk island, an open-air museum for lovers of cultural history and nature: Fort Werk aan de Korte Uitweg houses a fantastic tea garden, the impressive Fort Honswijk and the trenches of Werk aan de Groeneweg. Your cycle holiday ends in Wijk bij Duurstede, a small town with a grand history.

From Wijk bij Duurstede you cycle through the river landscape of Lek to historic Culemborg, passing Werk aan het Spoel. The route continues along Fort Everdingen, the beautiful local harbour, and the Duits&Lauret brewery invite you to take a break. The route continues via the Diefdijklinie with many bunkers. Then you proceed along Fort Asperen, a cultural island on the river Linge. Between the orchards lie beautiful villages such as Acquoy with its leaning tower, Beesd featuring the windmills of liberty and the lordship of Marienwaerdt. Visit the owl and animal park De Paay and the Geofort with its interactive science centre. You can cross the river Linger at numerous points and thus shorten the route. Your tour ends today in Leerdam. The glass city of the Netherlands since 1765 and known for the national glass museum and the Leerdamer cheese. You spend the night in Asperen.

From Asperen you cycle in the Waal river landscape. The Bommelerwaard at Brakel and Poerderoijen between the Waal and Afgedamde Maas forms the South-Eastern end of the New Dutch Waterline. The brasserie in Battery Poederoijen’s converted guardhouse is perfect for a stopover. One of the highlights is Loevestein Castle, which is beautifully situated on the river – in the middle of nature. The castle has an important history as a medieval castle, fortress and prison. You cycle further along the beautiful fortified little town of Woudrichem and pass Fort Altena. Your day ends in Gorinchem, one of the most beautiful fortesses in the Netherlands with the city ramparts, imposing cannons and windmills. The city centre offers many cafés on the old market square.

Today you cycle through part of the Old Dutch Water Line, which saved Holland from the war against the Spanish and French about 350 years ago. You cycle through Nieuwpoort, one of the smaller fortified towns in the Netherlands, built around 1200. Then you proceed through Schoonhoven, known for its nickname: The Silver City. The next stop is picturesque Oudewater with the well-known witch’s scales, which attacts visitors from all over the world. The tour ends in historic Woerden, known for the cheese market on Saturday mornings (Apr-Aug). Walk amongst the old fortress walls and enjoy the canals and taste the local products.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you get back on your bike for a fabulous tour. The route takes you along the old Roman border and past Fort Wierickerschans and Bodegraven. You cycle through a typical Dutch landscape with flat pastures and grazing cows, lake areas and white water. In Abcoude admire the Fort Abcoude, one of the historic churches and discover Piet Mondriaan, who painted this pieces here for years.

You start with a tour along the river Gein and today you discover the kings, lords of the castle, poets and writers, who have lived in the Muiderslot for centuries. The medieval castle with a moat, ramparts and bulwarks formed an important part of the New Dutch Water Line. Before that you come along Fort Nigtevecht, a breathtaking, peaceful place situated in the middle of nature. The route continues to the next highlight, Naarden Fortress, built in the 17th century. The city stands out with special monuments, shops, antique shops, galleries, gastronomy and museums. An absolute recommendation is the Dutch Fortress Museum. The cycle tour ends with a nice route along the river Vecht across the Loosdrechtse Plassen (lakes).

Today you continue along the Loosdrechtse Plassen to Loenen aan de Vecht, one of the most charming villages in the Netherlands with 144 imperial monuments. From here you cycle along the river Vecht to Breukelen, which is known for its historical open spaces along the river. The meandering river Vecht takes you to Maarssen and the surroundings of Utrecht. There you find Fort Aan de Klop, where you can enjoy local produce on the terrace of the bombproof guardhouse. After the fort you cycle over the dyke along the Klopvaart, a flood channel for the New Dutch Water Line to Fort de Gagel and Fort Ruigenhoek. These forts are located in a beautiful Dutch polder landscape that is part of the Vechtplassen area.