The Fortified Town Triangle: one day, five places, three provinces
An active day of soaking up culture? Visit the Vesting Triangle! The Vesting Triangle is the area between the fortresses of Gorinchem, Woudrichem, Zaltbommel, Slot Loevestein and Fort Vuren. Grab your bike, hop on the ferry, and your adventure can begin!
Ferry and foot ferry
All locations in the fortified town triangle are connected by water. Take the Riveer ferries across the Maas, Waal, Linge and Merwede rivers from fortified town to fortified town to fortified town. In high season, you get on almost every half hour, and your bike can come along for free. Missed a boat? The water cab is waiting for you, or take the foot ferry: a small boat especially for walkers. It takes you from Woudrichem to Slot Loevestein and back again.
Woudrichem
A picturesque fortified town, where history is still very much alive. Take a walking tour on your own, or let a city guide tell you all about its rich history.
Gorinchem
Gorinchem is the largest fortified city whose ramparts are still complete. Take a walk along the ramparts, past the Dalempoort, cannons and windmills. But also be sure to visit the bustling city center!
Fort Vuren
This Tower Fort was built in 1845, as part of the New Dutch Waterline. The fort was recently fully restored, and has since been used as a catering and accommodation facility. Guided tours are available by appointment.
Tip: Inside the fort, visit WWII & Airmen Museum. This museum is part of the Route Second World War: Honoring Allied Airmen Lingewaal.
Slot Loevestein
The famous castle from which Hugo the Great escaped. With your personal key you will learn all about the Castle, its history and inhabitants.
Zaltbommel
Zaltbommel is also worth a visit. Wander through the center, visit the St. Maartenskerk or the Stadskasteel. In this museum, be sure not to miss the exhibition on Fiep Westendorp: the famous illustrator of Jip, Janneke, Otje, Pluk van de Pettenflat and Pim & Pom.
You can rent a (electric) bicycle from various rental locations. Contact the relevant party for availability and bike rental.
The Pancake Bakery is the starting point (and ending point, delicious). This walk shows both the old (part of the New Dutch Waterline!) and the new Woudrichem, passes through the village of Oudendijk and returns to the fortified town via the dike along the Upper Merwede. It is a short route which leaves you time to visit the fortified town.
Of course, you can also just find your own way, it is not that big and there is plenty to see and do. Don't forget to explore the historic harbor or extend your walk with a visit to Slot Loevestein (located across the street) and take the foot ferry. The various stores, the mill and the Fisheries Museum in the fortified town are well worth a visit!
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
The hike begins at Fort Altena, a fort belonging to the New Dutch Waterline. Don't forget to explore this fort before or after your walk! You walk towards the village of Werkendam, where in the past and still today, inland navigation plays an important role. You walk towards mill De Vervoorne Polder, when it is running, it is open for viewing. The millers are happy to tell you their story! Then you head towards the Upper Merwede, a busy river. From the dike you have a good view of this. Through the underpass of the A27 you walk to the end point. Near the fort there are two windmills that can be visited when they are running. To do this, follow the Liniepad from the fort and you will pass them automatically.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
You start at the bandstand in this cozy village. The church in this village is worth a visit. You walk along the little river the Wijde Alm in the direction of Rijswijk to arrive at Almbos (picking is allowed) at Fort Giessen, the southernmost fort of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. If the gate is open, take a look! It has been recently restored and a volunteer will be happy to show you the fort. Taking the country road towards Waardhuizen, you will arrive back at the bandstand in Uitwijk.
You can extend the route by walking straight ahead at node 11 towards nodes 34 and 35. A beautiful route along the Wijde Alm in nature. At node 35 you turn right towards points 37, 36 and 13. Then you are back at the point where this route started.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
You start at brasserie Boven de Rivieren, a floating restaurant in the harbor of Sleeuwijk. Behind this restaurant the floodplains form a beautiful nature reserve De Groesplaat. The entrance to this is a gate to the right behind the restaurant. You walk towards Woudrichem along the river, where you can pick delicious blackberries in the summer. Before Woudrichem you leave the floodplain and walk into the polder. At the two mills you follow the Liniepad, a walking path that goes from Fort Bakkerskil to Slot Loevestein. The mills can be visited when the miller is present and the sails are turning. Along the Liniepad are several casemates that can also be visited inside with some scrambling. There are several benches in this piece of nature where cultural heritage is richly represented. Through the outskirts of Sleeuwijk this route goes back to the floodplain and you come to the end point.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
The walk begins at a special monument that was festively opened in 2018 after a thorough renovation: Fort Giessen, the southernmost fort of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. When open, it is definitely worth a visit. The volunteers are happy to tell you about the period of World War I. An experience park has also been developed with a trench! There is an unpaved walking path around the fort.
The walk leads you through the village, toward the Wilhelmina Lock. Want to take a look? Then walk after node 27 along the provincial road towards the lock. Then walk over the dike towards the connection with the walk around Rijswijk and through the village and Almbos (picking is allowed) to the end point.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
Cycle from fortified town Woudrichem to fortified town Heusden and enjoy the river landscape along the way. With these dismounts, the route is not only varied, but also very surprising because of the great stories hidden behind it. Have fun cycling!
1 Woudrichem Fortified Town
The fortified town of Woudrichem has a rich history and is one of the oldest towns in the country. Already around the year 900 Woudrichem is mentioned in the possessions of the diocese of Utrecht. In 1356 it received city rights. It had an important military function. With Gorinchem and Loevestein, it formed an iron triangle, as it were. The fortifications are still authentic, as they were commissioned by Prince William of Orange in 1584. Several buildings still remind of this. Only in 1955 was the military function officially abolished and Woudrichem could develop outside the ramparts. Fishing was important, as can be seen and heard in the Fisheries Museum. Start the bicycle tour on a cozy terrace between or even in the beautifully preserved monuments.
2 Rijswijk wheel
The Biesbosch Line has experienced many floods. With often serious, especially material consequences. In 1809, dikes broke due to large masses of creeping ice. Even King Louis Napoleon visited this river area to learn about the situation. In Rijswijk, the Maas dike broke through, creating a wheel on the inside. Nowadays, barely visible because of the abundance of greenery, it lies in a beautiful natural area where you can dismount for a stroll.
3 Reformed church Giessen
In a special place, in the former floodplain, stands the reformed church of Giessen. It is not the first church in this location. The building history of the church shows that this remarkable place has to do with the origin of the current course of the Meuse River. Initially, the church was the center of the village. The flow of the Meuse destroyed the embankment and the buildings, including the western part of the church building. The present form of the church dates from 1856, and the last expansion is from 1963. The clockwork is notable for having only one hand.
4 Tomb Jan Claessen in Andel
In the cemetery behind the striking Romboutstoren with its stone spire lies the grave of a certain Jan Claessen. According to the legend, which the inhabitants of Andel like to keep alive, it concerns the famous trumpeter from the army of the Prince of Orange about whom Rob de Nijs sings. Whether this is really so, no one knows. In any case, the restored tombstone mentions that a certain Jan Claessen from Andel was killed by an assassin from Breda on Thursday, October 5, 1634. Today, the little chapel near the tower is "the house of Jan Claessen.
5 Veerhuis De Zwaan in Andel
On the Hoge Maasdijk in Andel stands the former ferry house De Zwaan. It also served as an inn/lodge and carriages were rented and stabled there. It even says so in French on the facade. There used to be a cable ferry here to Poederoijen and a landing for steamboats that maintained a regular service to Rotterdam and 's-Hertogenbosch. Remnants of that landing stage can still be seen. As a National Monument, the building has been in use as a residence for many years.
6 Kaaie Paole
On the border of Veen and Andel, stand these two special poles. They are popularly known as the Kaaie Paole or the Veen Poles. They indicate the border between the Land of Heusden and the Land of Altena. The pole on the right shows the coat of arms with the wheel of the Land of Heusden and the year 1798. The pole on the left shows the coat of arms of the Land of Altena with two salmon and the inscription "Old Land of Altena. This national monument also marks the medieval border of Holland and Brabant.
7 Corn mill De Hoop in Veen
This round stone grist mill was built in 1838 for Willem Ambrosius on the site where a mill also previously stood. The mill ground flour commercially for many years. It was also used as a hulling mill to hull barley into groats. Owned for a time by the former municipality of Veen, the mill passed to the Molenstichting Land van Heusden en Altena in 1965. The mill is now in operation as a corn mill and when the sails are turning you can walk in to tour the mill. You will also find a cozily decorated local produce shop.
8 The Wijkerzand in Wijk and Aaburg
Along the Maasijk in Wijk and Aalburg lies the Wijkerzand. It is a floodplain with not only scenic but also historical significance and a size of about 70 hectares. The special thing is that all the inhabitants of Wijk, who were born and raised there, cherish a common ownership. In the land register, they are still called "natives. It was Philip of Burgundy who donated the area to them, because in 1815 the inhabitants of Wijk managed to prevent the ownership and use from lapsing to the municipality and a brickworks was built there. Wijk residents receive an annual share of the proceeds from the use of the floodplain, where mostly cows graze.
The mill is eco-certified and grinds flour for bakery Gerard and Suus just down the road in the village.
9 Mill De Twee Gebroeders in Wijk en Aalburg
This round stone rack grist mill was built in 1872 on the site where a mill had also previously stood. For a long time, flour was ground there. At one time, this mill was the example of a modern windmill. The king spindle could be driven by wind power as well as by a diesel engine. In World War II, the mill was badly damaged. The mill was restored and commercial milling ended. After being in the hands of several owners, ownership passed to the Molenstichting Land van Heusden en Altena in 1968. It is a national monument that has since been restored several times.
10 Ornaments Heusden Bridge
The bridge over the Bergsche Maas River is the first concrete cable-stayed bridge in the Netherlands. On June 28, 1990, it was opened by the Queen's Commissioner Frank Hoube. It was not the first bridge to be located there. That one was destroyed by the occupying forces in 1940. In memory of the first bridge and in honor of the celebration of 100 years of Bergsche Maas, a monument has been erected on the north side of the river. It consists of two restored lampposts that originally graced the bridge. On the Heusden side are elements of the second bridge.
11 Fortified Town Heusden
Fortified town Heusden has completely restored fortifications and 134 buildings on the Monument List. The town grew up around one of the oldest moated castles in northwestern Europe and was one of the first Dutch towns to be surrounded by a wall. After 1968, the fortified town was thoroughly restored. The basis for the restoration of this cultural heritage was Blaeu's map of 1649. This earned Heusden the highest European restoration award "Urbus Nostrae" in 1980. In the characteristic old streets and narrow alleys you will find numerous centuries-old, well-preserved buildings and facades with beautiful gable stones. The fortified town is known for its art and antique stores and galleries, many of which are nationally renowned. Based on written sources, the history of Heusden dates back to the early 12th century. The fortified town lies on the Bergsche Maas River. Adriaan Anthoniszn. van Alkmaar designed the first fortifications including the ramparts, moats, ravelins and bastions. These were continually improved in the years that followed and earned Heusden the name "impregnable. In the centuries that followed, Heusden managed to keep up this reputation.
12 Nederhemert Castle
Crossing the Bergsche Maas, we have now arrived in Gelderland from North Brabant. Nederhemert Castle has been completely restored and used as an office. The residential tower has remained as original as possible. The remaining parts have been plastered. Also have a good time here in the more than 100-year-old playground!
13 The Neswaarden in Aalst
The Neswaarden is a recreational area in the village of Aalst. A beautiful piece of nature with beach, sunbathing area, sports fields and a large playground. The area is freely accessible to everyone and special consideration has been given to the disabled.
14 Battery under Poederoijen
The Battery under Poederoijen was built around 1880 as part of the New Dutch Waterline. If there was a threat of war, the western part of the Bommelerwaard would be flooded. The battery's artillery had to control the Maas River and protect the inundation sluices. The adjacent Brasserie De Buurman is a nice resting place for a snack and a drink and taking a stroll.
15 Wilhelmina Lock
This lock, opened in 1904 by Queen Wilhemina, lies in an old course of the Meuse River, between North
Brabant and Gelderland. The waterway forms a connection between the Waal and Bergsche Maas rivers and now bears the name Afgedamde Maas. This national monument is the only impeller lock in the Netherlands with a "green kolk," meaning that the walls of the lock chamber are lined with grass. At this point we swap the regions of Gelderland again for burgundy Brabant.
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
The round trip around Almkerk is 12 km of sailing, but if you really don't want to miss anything, take the route to Giessen as well and sail from fort to fort!
The route on the Alm passes notable heritage and lies between Fort Altena and Fort Giessen. At the triangle of waters, near the picturesque village of Uitwijk, you pass an aqueduct. This, now a municipal monument, was built in the 1960s to separate two catchment areas. A boat crossing was installed here, as was also done north of Fort Altena near Uppel. A boat transfer was used to hoist a maintenance boat over the weir. You don't need something like this for your canoe, but it is special to encounter a rare landscape feature like this no less than twice on this trip.
Back to the aqueduct: at this junction it's all about which way you want to go. You lift your canoe into the right channel and continue your route. The route largely follows the Alm River, which branches off from the Waal in Roman times.
Roman artifacts were recovered on the stream ridge. From the Middle Ages on, the Alm was a tributary of the Meuse. Today, the Alm is no longer in direct connection with the major rivers.
You start at Fort Altena and can sail right through the polder to near Fort Giessen. Both forts are part of the New Dutch Waterline; an 85 kilometer long line with 45 forts, 6 fortresses and 2 castles. It is the largest national monument in the Netherlands which also includes Fort Steurgat, Fort Bakkerskil, Slot Loevestein, Fort Vuren and the fortified towns of Woudrichem and Gorinchem.
You are welcome to visit the brasserie on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 5 pm.
Please note that you cannot rent canoes on this route and we unfortunately do not deliver canoes to location. Don't own your own canoe? Then choose a route that starts at a point where you can rent canoes:Jachthaven Van Oversteeg in Werkendam or DOCKS vissershang in Hank. Contact the relevant party for availability and canoe rental.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
This tour is recommended if map-reading is not your strongest suit. Getting lost is impossible while experiencing the ultimate get-away-from-it-all feeling.
If you don't have much canoeing experience yet, this round trip is really for you. You can paddle quietly and easily spend half a day on the road. You start at Fort Bakkerskil and while paddling between reeds and a nostalgic hand-pull ferry you head south. You pass islands, hamlets, meadows and a jungle-like ditch in one of the Bakkerskil's tributaries. Don't let overhanging branches stop you here, but sail under the overgrown bridge until you reach the wickerworkers' hut. This spot is the icing on the cake. Such spooky and quiet spots should be looked for with a lantern, but we are happy to reveal this one. Here you can stretch your legs and rest.
The out-and-back on the Bakkerskil is a beautiful route for true nature lovers. Although the little stream flows through the Oostwaardpolder, here too you experience the Brabant jungle. Be sure to make the trips into the dead arms marked on the map. The one halfway along the route brings you to a fairytale spot where you can also moor and picnic in peace.
You can rent a canoe at Jachthaven Van Oversteeg Werkendam or at DOCKS vissershang Hank. Contact the appropriate party for availability and canoe rentals.
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
Scavenger hunt Woudrichem (running time 1.5 hours - 2 km)
Welcome to Woudrichem, or as the people here call it: Woerkum. Tie your laces, loosen your muscles, take a deep breath, shoulders straight, chin up and ... sleuthing away!
Don't know an answer? Then ask someone you meet on the street for help. You might just hear an exciting story from a real Woerkumer! Good luck and have fun while searching for the answers!
Overview of all our routes in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie