Dutch Waterline

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

We recommend a first stop at the Waterliniemuseum Fort bij Vechten. You can learn lots of interesting facts about the waterline in an interactive way. Another interesting structure is the Plofsluis: a series of five concrete chambers with a weak floor, filled with sand and gravel, built above the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. If there was a threat of war, the chambers would have been blown up, immediately closing the canal and flooding the area. Plofsluis was ultimately never activated. Numerous other fortresses line your route, such as Fort Honswijk, situated on the banks of the river Lek. Today's stage destination is Wijk bij Duurstede. The town has an eventful history, as evidenced by the impressive memorials and monuments.

Just a short distance and you will reach historic Culemborg. You will feel its maritime flair on a short tour of the town. Shopping enthusiasts will find unique boutiques in Culemborg. There are also numerous fortresses to discover today. First and foremost Werk ann het Spoel, Fort Everdingen and Fort Asperen. All embedded in enchanting river landscapes and meadows. You cycle on through the picturesque Betuwe region to Leerdam. The tasty cheese is known far beyond its borders. Just around the corner is Asperen, where you will spend the night today.

Today you cycle through the enchanting river landscape of the Waal. You should definitely plan some time for Loevestein Castle. In the museum you will learn all kinds of things about the Middle Ages and the Dutch waterline. Further on, you will reach the fortified town of Woudrichem. The former city wall still surrounds the entire settlement today. Next you pass Fort Altena. The grounds of the fortress cover a total of 8 hectares. You can relax on the large terrace in the brasserie. Your next stop is the fortified town of Gorinchem. Situated on the banks of the Linge, Merwede and Waal rivers, Gorinchem is a picture-book Dutch town.

Today you follow the Old Dutch Waterline, which runs from the Zuiderzee to the river Waal. You quickly reach Nieuwpoort. The small town has a rich past and is known for its picturesque harbor. There is much to discover in the local museum. Schoonhoven also has a long history as a fortified town. The first buildings date back to the 14th century. Schoonhoven is also known for its gold and silversmiths. Oudewater is the oldest town in the green heart of the Netherlands and became internationally famous for its witches' scales. You have reached your destination for the day in the picturesque fortified town of Woerden.

You can look forward to a day in the typical Dutch landscape: water-rich nature, lots of green with grazing cows, windmills and old fortified towns. Fort Wierickerschans was built as early as 1673. Today, the building is intended for multifunctional use. The historical details are still visible. The small town of Bodegraven is an excellent place to take a break. In the stage destination of Abcoude, a small footpath leads to Fort bij Abcoude.

Fort Nigtevecht lies in the midst of beautiful nature. Fort Uitermeer is part of the old and new Dutch Waterline. The fort dates back to the 16th century. The Muiderslot, which was built in 1285, is well worth a visit. Surrounded by gardens and water, it is one of the best-preserved castles in Holland. The fortified town of Naarden has an impressive double city wall with moat, city gates and bastions. Nestled in an idyllic landscape is Oud-Loosdrecht, where you will spend the night today.

On your last stage, you quickly reach Loenen aan de Vecht. This small village has existed since the 10th century. There are several castles and country estates in the immediate vicinity. Continuing along the course of the Vecht, you reach Breukelen, with the remarkable Nyenrode Castle, which is now home to the university. Of course, no fortress should be missing today either: Fort aan de Klop, a green oasis in the city of Utrecht, makes sure of that. This brings you to the starting point of your cycle tour. For the tireless, there is a short tour to Fort de Gagel and Fort Ruigenhoek. The best way to end the evening is with a cool beer.

Your cycling vacation ends after breakfast. With many impressive impressions in your luggage, you start your journey home. We would be happy to book an extension to discover the fourth largest city in the Netherlands in more detail.