This hike has the parking lot of Fort Giessen as its starting point. Fort Giessen is another gem of the New Dutch Waterline. Should it be open, let the guides tell you about the history of the fort and its surroundings or let the people of nature association Altenatuur give you information.
We walk down the road with the fort at our backs and turn right into Burgstraat. Even before the first bend, we take the loam footpath on the left with pollarded willows on both sides. We walk parallel to the little river Alm, which we can occasionally see. After a while the path turns into a paved road, the Karbogerd, which we continue to follow. After the long right turn, over the bridge but before the sports fields, we turn left into the hiking path that takes us through the Almbos. We keep following this path and via 92 (there are the nodes again) we walk to 06. There we turn right towards 04 at the traffic circle. We cross the traffic circle straight over and follow the Rijswijksesteeg which becomes the Dorpsstraat. In the bend we turn left onto the Stoep. Now we have to search a bit: we cross the dike and to the right behind the church we find a cart track going down. We cross the water and immediately turn left. We keep following this path, with the water on our left, and at the very end we clamber up the dike. We take a breather from the climb and turn right. On the paved path on the dike we continue walking, with views of the river on the left and farmland on the right. The path is adorned by a motley bouquet of wildflowers and, with the wind in our hair, we fully enjoy it. We walk straight through 01 and 29 to 26. There we turn right along the Provincial road towards 18 and 27, where we descend the stairs to the right towards 08. We are surprised by the sweet winding path with fruit trees along it. At the church at the end of this path we end up back in the village center. Via 91 and 19 we arrive at the starting point, junction 14, Fort Giessen. Tip if you still have time and energy: take a look at the experience park at the fort dedicated to World War I or walk around the fort again.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
We leave from the parking lot at Fort Altena. We decide to hike first and then have lunch at the brasserie. The walk starts with a sneaky hidden forest path (just before the bridge to the fort on the left) towards node 26. We cross (carefully!) the road and walk left down the bike path to 77, where we let the traffic rush off us towards 76. On the way we encounter several casemates, one of which, with a steel dome, serves as a bird station. Walking further along the water we see two magnificent watermills (when the sails turn, they are well worth a visit!). At 76 we keep left on the cart track between the fields (the edges are planted in a bird-friendly way). Arriving at the road we cross straight over and turn right onto the loamy path, closely followed by the extremely curious sheep. We stop for a moment at the casemat to read the beautiful poem. We continue up to 74 where we turn left (through the gate) and right again at the end. On our right a little further on we see the care farm's vegetable garden and a long row of hop piles (these hops are the main ingredient of Altena Beer). At the end of the path we turn left over the small bridge and walk between the trees in a straight line towards 72. Here we cross the road and turn left into the driveway and before the fence turn right, across the grass towards 73. This sounds complicated, but it's not too bad! We turn left and walk in a straight line to 71, where we climb left up the Merwededijk. At the top we keep to the right, taking a break on the windy asphalt dike to 57. In the distance we see the tower of the fortified town of Woudrichem and to our left the activity on the river. At 57 we descend outside the dike into the floodplain. Again a beautiful piece of nature reserve managed by Brabants Landschap. Swallows nest in the banks and the kingfisher is also a regular guest in this nature reserve. At 58 we keep right and walk, mostly along the river, towards 68 (we could not find the pole, but it must be near Brasserie Boven de rivieren). Now we have to pay attention: turn right towards the village edge, turn right again (along the dike below) and at 67 turn right for part II of the floodplain. We walk between the cows, along the river. The landscape of yesteryear on our left, ultramodern barges on the river to the right, and in the distance right in front of us the arches of the Merwede Bridge. We keep walking along the river until we reach the never-used, accidentally placed bridge piers. There we turn left toward 66. We leave the thicket behind to turn right on the dike towards 49. Here we turn left down the dike, onto Notenlaan, and then take the 2nd right (footpath between the houses) opposite Herman de Ruij- terweg. We follow this Giethoorn-like path to 45 and turn left towards 44. This is a tricky part and we take care when crossing. On the bike path we turn right towards 41, right again towards 77 and straight on towards 26. We are back where the trip began. We find a nice spot on the terrace at Fort Altena. Cheers!
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
We start at Fort Bakkerskil (Kildijk 143 in Nieuwendijk), a unique bed & breakfast with a nice terrace and situated on the edge of National Park De Biesbosch. The fort is part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie and a little further on is the Papsluis from 1815, an inlet that could flood the land when threatened.
We walk a short distance over the dike towards 13 to descend (through a gate) towards 15. This walk is part of a route set out by farmers called 'Oostwaardpad'.
A beautiful initiative where proud farmers make their field edges available to hikers. Along the way we also come across reference and information boards. Very handy when we sometimes miss the arrows of the junction network! Having arrived at 15 we turn left in the direction of 11. On the left we see the Papsluis lock. An imposing structure and we can imagine how important this lock was in the strategic plan of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. We walk along the small river Bakkerskil, sometimes along a field, sometimes through a small forest.
After 11, we follow the signs to 85, where there is a tow ferry to the other side. Although we stay on this side of the water, we try the ferry to take a few photos. From 85 we walk to 84 (the route can also be extended to 83 here) and keep right towards 10. We enjoy the typical Dutch polder landscape with, depending on the month, views of sugar beets, onions and potatoes. We follow 17. Crossing the fields is quite tough here and there. Heading toward 15, the route is a nice variety of groves and vistas. The shade of the trees provides coolness in summer and makes us curious about the rest. Again we walk in a straight line along arable land, with a right angle turn to the left at the end. After 17 we walk back via 15 and 13 and are back at Fort Bakkerskil where we enjoy a well-deserved cup of coffee and goodies. Have fun!
Dogs are not allowed on this route due to crossing farmland. The summer terrace at Fort Bakkerskil is open all week from May through September from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for coffee and pastries. From Thursday through Sunday, you can also have lunch there. Please note, in heavy rain, the unpaved paths are muddy. So put on good shoes/boots.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
Oostwaardpad 23 km (can be shortened to 7.5 km, 8.5 km and 15 km detours)
Sometimes you think you know all the places in your own area. How surprising it is then to discover something new! And not just anything, but something you would like to take others to because it has made such an impression on you.
You'll find spots like that along the Oostwaardpad; a hiking trail across farmland in the Oostwaard on the edge of National Park De Biesbosch. The route runs along and across fields and creeks. You walk, marvel and take a ferry across the Bakkerskil.
Each time you walk the trail, the view is different. The fields are still bare, just sown, full of crops or have just been harvested. You see the farmers toiling and plowing.
Enjoy the flora and fauna in the vast landscape and be moved by fairy-tale still lifes you just happen to find yourself in during this hike.
The route on the Oostwaardpad brings tranquility above all. If you want a relaxing walk through a beautiful natural area, then you should really explore this part of the Biesbosch Line.
Sometimes a deer suddenly appears at the edge of a field or a beaver swims in a body of water. Of course, you never know where and when. Nature is unpredictable and unimaginably beautiful. That is what makes the Oostwaard so attractive for peace seekers and nature lovers.
Learn more about the Oostwaard Route, and more routes across farmland, at the Agrarian Nature Association's folder. Keep in mind that the route can be very muddy when it rains a lot.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie