You cruise in an area full of winding creeks and nice sandy beaches. It is highly recommended for novice canoeists.
The Aakvlaai is a relatively new recreational area on the edge of the Biesbosch. It was constructed at the end of the last century for the purpose of water sports. Because the Aakvlaai is directly adjacent to the Biesbosch, you may encounter a beaver or large water birds such as spoonbills and egrets.
Although the route does not have many miles, you can easily spend a day in the Barge Bay. If you want to take a break, find a quiet spot on a beach. You can also, in combination with your cruise, take a walk in the area. Without getting lost, you can easily deviate from the route here. You will always end up at a point you recognize. Striking points include the cooling towers of the Amer power plant located on the opposite side of the river, the remains of De Steen farm at Kloosteroord and the wreck of a tjalk. In the Aakvlaai, nature is given free rein, so that the flora and fauna in the area provide variety every season and a cruise is surprising every time.
The wreck of the tjalk at the entrance to the Aakvlaai is largely overgrown. The ship is 20 meters long and used to ship reeds, rushes and willow wood. According to tradition, the tjalk ended up at this location when it was used to fill a hole in the dike. The ship was found during the construction of the Aakvlaai.
Note: If you come with your own canoe or sup, please start from the canoe pier in front of the parking lot. No need to climb the stairs.
You can rent a canoe Jachthaven Van Oversteeg in Werkendam or at DOCKS vissershang Hank. Contact the respective party for availability and canoe rental.
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
Werk aan de Bakkerskil, or Fort Bakkerskil for short, is one of four forts of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie in the Biesbosch Line. The fort served to protect the southern inundation sluice, the Papsluis. This flooded parts of the Biesbosch Line with the aim of protecting the political and economic heart of our country.
If you look at Fort Altena from above, you will see something remarkable that we owe to Napoleon. He laid a road around the fort; the current A27 could not make this turn and now runs right across the fort grounds. The oldest part of the complex is the tower fort. This is because round walls are stronger than straight walls and more resistant to shelling. Around the tower fort was a moat. The contours of this are in the pavement in front of the entrance to the tower fort. Fort Altena is the longest fort of the New Dutch Waterline, 420 meters long!
For the construction of Fort Giessen, a temporary narrow gauge railway was built to bring in building materials. This came by ship via the river Maas near Andel.
This fort is one of the few forts located outside the inundation area. This is because the fort was built on a levee. In the seemingly flat polder landscape, there are levees that are one to two meters higher than the rest of the polder. To keep the artillery at a distance from Woudrichem and Loevestein as a forward post, Fort Giessen was built on such a ridge.
This fort is now lived in, but in times of mobilization it housed 184 soldiers and 1 washerwoman. A separate room was reserved for her.
Soldiers stationed at the fort were allowed to attend cultural performances in the village of Werkendam. Members of De maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen were allowed to bring three soldiers each. Love sprang up between the youngsters. Thus Pieter Post from Moddergat in Friesland married a Werkendam beauty. The daughter of this couple became a celebrity on Dutch television. Grietje Post will remain forever associated with the program Man bijt Hond.
Colloquially, this ancient fortified town is called Woerekum. It is located at a strategic point at the confluence of the Maas and Waal rivers on the border of South Holland, Gelderland and North Brabant.
The city arose on a riverbank embankment (today's Hoogstraat). Under the name UUalricheshem, the first mention of today's Woudrichem was made around the year 866. The fortified town is still largely intact. It is impossible to get lost there, with the great 16th century tower as the calibration and centerpiece of the town.
There are two inundation sluices in the Biesbosch Line. Inundation is the deliberate flooding of land. The water was deep enough that one could not walk there and too shallow to sail. The line was titled: the secret weapon of the Netherlands, but was nullified because attacking troops no longer came by land, but also by air.
You can rent a (electric) bicycle from various rental locations. Contact the relevant party for availability and bike rental.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
'Villages and polders enclosed in vastness'
What is an island without dikes?
Unimaginable right? And right there you are!
On an island surrounded by river and old sea dikes.
The unique thing about this tour is that 99.9% of the time it goes over the dike. And over some of the most beautiful dikes in the Netherlands! You'll pass through the historic fortified town of Woudrichem and one of the largest inland ports in Europe, among other places. Enjoy rugged vistas of the ever-changing rivers, the sight of the castle from which Hugo de Groot managed to escape, centuries-old mills and monumental farms.
The Biesbosch Line can only be reached by bridge or ferry. Often you do not even realize that you have come here by water. It is only when you are here that you may notice the many dikes. They meander along with the rivers and when you cycle over them, a dike offers you a beautiful stage to enjoy the view.
During the round trip through the Biesbosch Line you have views of the Merwede, the Maas, the Heusdens Canal, the Bergsche Maas and the creeks in National Park De Biesbosch: Jeppegat and Steurgat.
Start where you want and make your own journey through the Biesbosch Line.
Especially for the Pontjesdagen, foot-cycle ferry Boven 't Gat has created an art route. This route takes you via the ferries along all the sculptures of Altena.
You can rent a (electric) bicycle from various rental locations. Contact the relevant party for availability and bike rental.
Ode to the Island
Sonnet by Altena
Where the rivers guard your borders
Where ferry or bridge grants hesitant access
Where hard workers never forsake labor
Where storm surge and disaster have wept
Counts and knights inhabited your fields
Built their blockhouses and demanded tolls
Thou hadst thyself mentioned in the annals
Worthy, but sometimes also as a den of rascals
Now, my Altena, is only enjoyed
Of all the beauty that thou hast always offered
Villages and polders enclosed in vastness
Never again a front in the field of advance
Enemy and turncoats thou hast repelled
Voltreffer, clay island, robust as granite!
© Lizzy van Pelt