Junctions: 8 - 2 - 4 - (27) - 11 - 10 - 22 - 30 - 22 - 10 - 29 - 15 - 18 - 16 - 21 - 22 - 20 - 8
Number of km: 27 km
Starting point: Biesbosch MuseumEiland, Hilweg 2 in Werkendam
You park at the Biesbosch MuseumEiland where there is free parking and a charging point for electric bikes. You follow the route towards the Spieringsluis which connects the Biesbosch and the Nieuwe Merwede.
Enjoy the rugged nature and winding bike paths along the way. Stop halfway for lunch or a drink. There are plenty of picnic spots along the way. You will pass by Fort Steurgat. This fort is now inhabited and served to close off the Nieuwe Merwede and the Steurgat. Feel like shopping and stretching your legs? Take a side trip to junction 30. Then you will come to the center of Werkendam with a pleasant shopping street on the Hoogstraat. Then end the route again at the Biesbosch MuseumEiland. You can come here all year round for coffee or lunch in the restaurant area. Or stick a museum visit behind your bike ride and learn about the history of the Biesbosch: how the freshwater tidal area was created after the Sint Elisabethflood of 1421 and about the inhabitants and their crafts.
Nodes: 8 - 2 - 4 - 27 - 11 - 10 - 29 - 15 - 18 - 17 - 19 - 20 - 8
Number of km: 23 km
Starting point: Biesbosch MuseumEiland, Hilweg 2 in Werkendam
You park at the Biesbosch MuseumEiland where there is free parking and a charging station for electric bikes.
During this route through the Biesbosch, you cycle through feral willows, over small islands and along creeks. It takes you past the Spieringsluis lock that connects the Biesbosch and the Nieuwe Merwede. Cycle through beautiful nature and rest along the way with a cup of coffee. On the route you pass Fort Steurgat, on the edge of the Biesbosch. This (now inhabited) fortress served to close off the Nieuwe Merwede and the Steurgat. Then you cycle back towards Biesbosch MuseumEiland, which is open all year round. Here you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a delicious lunch in the restaurant area or an educational museum visit.
Junctions: 85 - 82 - 81 - 16 - 11 - 10 - 93 - 94 - 62 - 97 - 98 - 50 - 60 - 58 - 57 - 13 - 56 - 55 - 52 - 53 - 54 - 55 - 56 - 57 - 58 - 14 - 59 - 60 - 50 - 80 - 95 - 94 - 93 - 10 - 11 - 15 - 85
Number of km depending on starting point: 21,8 km if you start at Biesbosch MuseumEiland. 16,9 km if you start at Jachthaven van Oversteeg.
Starting point: Biesbosch MuseumEiland, Hilweg 2 in Werkendam or Jachthaven van Oversteeg, Spieringsluis 5 in Werkendam.
You park at the Biesbosch MuseumEiland or Oversteeg Marina where free parking is available. There is also a charging station for electric bikes at the Biesbosch MuseumEiland. You first walk around the Jantjesplaat. Here you pass by old and new parts of the Biesbosch: the old part consists of an overgrown willow forest with lots of shrubbery, and the new part was created after high water in the 1990s. Soil needed to improve the dikes was excavated there. Since then, a beautiful wetland has been created with crystal clear water that is crowded by birds.
Then you walk along the Deeneplaatweg to the Deeneplaat. This consists of 2 parts: the western part consists of a rough willow flood forest (parts of the area still flood at high water levels), the eastern part consists of grienden that are still maintained as they have been for centuries.
After exploring the Dane Plate, continue your way back to the Biesbosch MuseumEiland. The museum is open year-round. You can also come here for a cup of coffee or a delicious lunch in the restaurant area.
Junctions: 85 - 83 - 82 - 81 - 83 - 85
Number of km: 2 km
Starting point: Biesbosch MuseumEiland, Hilweg 2 in Werkendam
The Pannekoek is a beautiful area full of pollard willows, perhaps the most common tree in this area. During this trail, you can take a nice wander around on the way there or back before continuing on the trail.
You park at the Biesbosch MuseumEiland. There is ample free parking and a charging station for electric bicycles. The museum is open all year round. You can visit the museum, of course, but also enjoy a cup of coffee or a delicious lunch in the restaurant area.
Our storyteller Prisca took a look at pollarding the willows at De Pannekoek and wrote a story about it.
Tip!
In the winter months, you can come and watch the pollarding of the willows in the grove (provided you keep some distance). Especially in the winter period it is wonderful walking in the area. The peace and quiet are exceptional and along the way you will see many animals such as hares and different types of birds. With some luck you might even spot an industrious beaver!
Nodes: 18 - 19 - 54 - 56 - 40 - 25 - 23 - 30 - 22 - 12 - 14 - 18
Number of km: 31 km
Starting point: Docks Visserhang, Visserhang 2 in Hank
From the starting point, cycle toward node 18
Direction of node 18
At the intersection Oranjepolderweg - Aakvlaaiweg stands the monument commemorating the Halifax crash. If you stand in front of the monument, behind it you can see the plot on which the Halifax crashed.
The crew of the Halifax consisted of war volunteers from England and Canada. They were good friends who had already gained the necessary experience. They renamed their aircraft "Willy. This may be the nickname of the pilot Wilson. Also, this nickname may be derived from the code EY-W, the aircraft code. For this crew, this was its 21st mission.
At 10:55 p.m. on May 25, 1944, Halifax Mk III LV905 EY-W 'Willy' departed RAF Breigton and joined 431 other Bomber Command bombers to set course for and attack a railroad yard at Aachen. On the return flight, the plane was shot down by a Me 110 night fighter and crashed in flames near Hank at 01:30 a.m. with the loss of all seven crew members. Text: Adri Burghout, War Museum Veen
Direction node 18
At the intersection Oranjepolder - Nathalweg there is a picnic bench. Here you can see a creek running: the Bleeke Kil. You also see a bridge called 'Jannezand'. This crosses the ditch of St. Jan (a narrow creek along the Jannezand). This bridge had, at the end of World War II, an important function for the resistance. It served as a connecting route to already liberated Brabant. Through the bridge, important information, goods and people could reach the Allied forces. German prisoners of war were also taken here, which the memorial stone on the bridge still reminds us of. In 2021, the bridge was restored to its former glory. Text: www.biesbosch.nu
Near node 40 - Fort Altena
Tol 8, 4251 PX Werkendam
Fort Altena dates from 1847-1850, making it the oldest of the four Brabant forts in the New Dutch Waterline. It is also the only tower fort of these four forts.
The tower of Fort Altena owes its name mainly to its round shape, not to its height. It consists of 2 layers: a basement and a first floor. The walls are "bombproof" and nearly 2 meters thick, as protection against artillery strikes. Ironically, when these walls were completed, they had already been overtaken by developments in the arms industry. They were never truly bomb-proof.
Tip: At junction 25 you can deviate from the route to visit the Lancaster monument. Follow the Krouwerskade. At the end, turn onto the Grote Waardweg towards the Biesbosch and you will see the monument on your right. If you stand in front of the monument, you will see to the right of the monument the field where in 2014 the go-ahead was given to recover the Lancaster.
On June 22, 1944, an Avro Lancaster MkIII of 101 Squadron, reference LM508 SR-P crashed near Werkendam around 01:50 a.m. The crew of this Lancaster consisted of eight men. Six of them managed to ground; two crew members were killed. Eight crew members was not an ordinary number. The reason of an added crew member was that the plane was equipped with a "top secret" radio jamming system, which listened to the code name "Airborne Cigar" (ABC).
Normally, a Lancaster had seven crew members. Those crew members were: pilot P/O G. Hingley (22); flight engineer Sgt. S.D. Rogerson; navigator F/O T.W. Ball; radio operator/board gunner Sgt. L.V. Horrigan; flight gunner Sgt. J. Gascoigne; radio operator (special duty officer) Sgt. F. Sheard; bomb aimer F/Sgt. Thomas Handley Duff and tail gunner Sgt. John Edward Keogh (23). It is these last two crew members who died in the crash. In that attack, tail gunner John Keogh is killed instantly in his gun turret and bomb aimer Thomas Duff is also seriously injured.
A fuel tank is hit and a fire breaks out. The captain gives the order to abandon the plane. Rogerson gets Duff to strap on a parachute and pushes him out of the plane. He then jumps himself. Both land safely, but Duff dies from his gunshot wounds. Pilot Hingley breaks his back while exiting the aircraft, presumably due to colliding with one of the antennas. Upon landing, he also collides violently with a bridge, forcing his ribs into his left lung. He is found fairly quickly by the Germans and taken to a hospital. The rest land near the Borcharen polder and are also quickly captured by the Germans. The only one who initially manages to escape is the back gunner Jeff Gascoigne. He is later apprehended near Antwerp and taken as a prisoner of war.
Meanwhile, the Lancaster was burning and burning at a speed of more than 300 kilometers per hour, drilling some seven meters deep into the Werkendam clay just ten meters from the Dalm family's farm. Burning debris from the plane set the thatched roof ablaze and within half an hour the farm was completely in ashes. The Dalm family had just barely managed to get to safety. Text: Adri Burghout, War Museum Veen
Tip! Between node 23 and 30 you can deviate from the route to visit the monument de Linie Crosser. At the intersection Werkensedijk, Kruisstraat, Hoogstraat and Kerkstraat, enter Kerkstraat. This turns into the van Tienhoven van de Boogaardstraat and at the deer park is the monument.
The Monument "The Line-crosser" in Werkendam was erected to commemorate two resistance fighters who were shot by the Germans: Arie van Driel and Kees van de Sande.
Werkendam is adjacent to the Biesbosch, an almost inaccessible area that in the winter of 1944-1945 served as a no man's land between the north, which was still occupied by the Germans, and the south of the Netherlands. The area was used not only by people in hiding but also by "line-crossers": people who helped Allied soldiers make their way south. There were 374 such tours carried out. The two Dutchmen Arie van Driel and Kees van de Sande, were "line-crossers" and were captured by the Germans. They were executed at Fort de Bilt on April 30, 1945, just before liberation, and were buried in Werkendam's Protestant Cemetery, near the monument. After their deaths, the Military Order of William was issued. Text: TracesOfWar.co.uk
At node 30
Find benches and the monument Merwedegijzelaars. The plaque for Merwedegijzelaars in Werkendam was erected in memory of the 589 young men rounded up during a raid on May 16, 1944. (Photo monument route overview: Piet Kramer).
On May 16, 1944, in a raid in Sliedrecht and Hardinxveld, 589 young men between the ages of 18 and 25 were rounded up and assembled at the Grote Kerk in Sliedrecht and the School met de Bijbel in Hardinxveld. All but a small number of these men were transported to Camp Amersfoort. After seven weeks, a large group was allowed to return home. The men who were not so fortunate were sent to labor camps in Germany. Twelve of these men from Sliedrecht died there from the effects of hard work, insufficient food and disease. The raid was an act of retaliation by the occupying forces after the shooting of two NSB members by the resistance. Text: War Graves Foundation
Between node 22 and 12
Here a Halifax crashed, which was part of 424 squadron. The location is along the bicycle dike from Werkendam to Visserhang.
Originally, a squadron in the Air Force is the designation for an operational unit with aircraft and all associated personnel under a commander. A squadron can also be an Air Force unit with a supporting (e.g. maintenance, logistics or transport) or facilitating task. Fun fact, the designation squadron has been in use in the Netherlands since World War II. Before that, the term "aircraft division" was used.
Want to learn more about 424 squadron and its crew? Then visit the website of the Omzien en Gedenken Foundation.
From node 12 to node 14
The water you see here is the Steurgat. This water was part of the route taken by the "line-crossers. In the fall of 1944 the south of the Netherlands was liberated. This resulted in the Biesbosch from then on being between the lines of the Germans and the Allies. The 'line-crossers' maintained a connection between liberated and occupied territory from this period on. This group was part of the larger Albrecht resistance group.
Over two different routes, people, goods, information and medicines (especially insulin) were transported. In total, about 374 crossings were made. These were mainly military courier routes, but Jews and stranded pilots were also able to find a way to liberated Holland. Although it is known how many crossings were made, it is not known how many people were ferried across. One of them was General John Hackett, who was severely wounded in Arnhem, but survived an operation and managed to escape via this crossing route.
The first route ran from Werkendam to Drimmelen. This first went a little overland, then by canoe across the Steurgat. Then along the polder Pauluszand to the island Middelste Jannezand, and then along the Biesbosch side on the Amer. There a basket hung opposite restaurant 't Voske and opposite the port of Drimmelen to indicate when to cross. The basket was further hoisted when crossers arrived.
Want to know more about the line-crossers? Then check out Omzien en denken or visit the Biesbosch MuseumEiland.
A cycling route along all 21 cores of the municipality of Altena. Tour over dikes, through villages and across the polder, along the fortress and through the Biesbosch. Meet up with friends, cycle together, refuel on a terrace and enjoy everything our beautiful municipality has to offer.
Starting point: Town Hall Altena, Sportlaan 170 Almkerk
Download the routes as GPX 80 km and GPX 105 km (including loop Biesbosch)
Nodes: 33 - 78 - 41 - 40 - 56 - 71 - 67 - 66 - 64 - 69 - 74 - 33
Number of km: 32 km
Starting point: Parking place Schapendam, Woudrichem
Nice tip to get in the mood for this route in advance is by reading Prisca's blog. She has Burgundian Altena discovered.
Junction 33 Fortified town of Woudrichem
Fortified town Woudrichem, or Woerkum, as its inhabitants say, is the only town in the Biesbosch Line. In the 9th century, a marketplace arose on a bank embankment. Today this is where Hoogstraat and Molenstraat intersect. This place is still the heart of the fortified town.
The fortress of Woudrichem is small. Perfect for exploring on foot. Wander through the old streets and past all the historical highlights: the Martinus Church, the mill, the city walls, the historic harbor and the prisoners' gate.
Mill Nooit Gedagt
Korenmolen Nooit Gedagt Is located on the Rijkswal of Woudrichem. Nice to visit the mill which is still used daily for making flour. The mill has a spacious store with a large assortment of local products. The store is open from Thursday to Sunday (Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 13.00 to 17.00. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The mill can also be visited on Saturdays and Sundays.
Beer and Woudrichem
Did you know that for centuries the town of Woudrichem, as the capital of Altena, was the only place on our island where alcohol could be brewed and traded?
Junction 78 Historische Haven Woudrichem
On the grounds is Museumwerf D'n Hûig, the yard barn also serves as the harbor office and is open to visitors. Here you will often find the harbor master. Feel free to come and take a look!
In the Historische Haven, ships are refurbished and launched. The large barges are occupied. You may bike towards these boats, walk around, and if you see a skipper, feel free to talk to them. They love to tell you something about their ship! After all, it is sailing heritage, so very special.
Between node 41 and 40 Kraaiveld estate
De Roef 4 in Woudrichem
Kraaiveld Estate is located in a rural setting. It is a living and working location for (young) adults with intellectual disabilities.
They maintain a large organic vegetable garden and grow plants in a large greenhouse. They also run a farm store where the produce from their own vegetable garden and some local produce are sold in season. On the small terrace they serve coffee and tea with something sweet.
Tip! Deviating slightly from the route, drive straight ahead at Uppelsesteeg into Flower Road. Visit Uppels pasture meat at Bloemweg 7 in Almkerk. Besides meat, you can also find cheese, eggs, baking products, potatoes and regional products here. Open on Wednesday and Friday from 13.00 to 17.00 and on Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00. You can drive down the Bloemweg and then pick up the route to junction 56 again by the provincial road north.
Tip: Between the water tower and Almkerk, you'll find Worm Farm The Dutch Nightcrawlers on the right. They participate in the partridge project in the Doorn polder. With the specially sown flower edges there and the edges around their farm, the bees can find plenty of honey nearby. In the self-service hive near the ANWB talking post, their honey is for sale.
Tip: If you bike a little straight ahead at the bend with node 56, you'll see Wim & Co on the right . This is the self-service stall of Straver Farm on Provincialeweg Zuid 34 where both organic and conventional vegetables are grown. You'll find potatoes, fries and onions year-round and in season include red cabbage, red beets, pumpkins and winter carrots.
Tip: On the route just after junction 56, to the left of Emmikhovenseweg 6 is the Hof van Heden garden. In season from May to September, Ben and Anika sell vegetables and homemade products in a roadside stall or in the garden shop. You can also take a vegetable subscription or join as a member of the self-harvest garden.
Tip: Deviate from the route between junction 56 and 71.
Visit Landgoed Clootwijck, at the Brugstraat keep following the Woudrichem road, at number 38 is the estate. Get honey directly from the beekeeper and taste Clootwijck honey. Visit the point of sale (self-service) or report to the counter during office hours, someone will walk with you. Then continue and turn right into the torque, then reconnect toward Junction 71.
Between node 56 and node 71
You can buy various kinds of meat at VOF Van de Koppel (Zandwijk 6).
Junction 71 is located in Uitwijk
Estate de Enghoeve is located in a rural setting. The estate store is open all day. The door may be closed, but you can still enter. Even on weekends! It is self-service. Money can be cash in the yellow box.
And near the Enghoeve: starting in August, come poke around at Pumpkins and Gourds from Rens de Graaff 's own nursery, Uitwijksestraat 10.
In Waardhuizen you will find De Groenhoeve garden plants (at the Waardhuizen traffic circle before the route to Pompveld ). You will find flowers and plants in all sizes here, as well as Oma Schoutens Eggs on Stenenheul 2a in Waardhuizen.
Between node 66 and 64
Tip: Just deviate from the route, at the intersection Duizendmorgen - Middenweg and visit Dairy goat farm & ice cream farm Lekker Gemekker, located at Middenweg 24 in Andel. Then you can return to the route to continue your way.
Tip: A few houses away, Lisanne and Mark pick pears in the fall at Orchard Pears & Partridges. You buy the pears and pear juice at her stall on Middenweg 27 in Andel.
Looking for more tips on buying local directly from the producer?
Plot your route via 'Cycling for my food', choose a tasty bike route or visit Pure from Altena and order digitally from home. This itinerary came about in part thanks to all their tips.
Nodes: 60 – 97 –65 – 99 – 64 –66 –67 –53 –52 –50 – 51 – 59 –58- 60
Number of km: 36 km
Starting point: Kromme Nol near junction 60
Between node 60 and 97
Pass by the monument Elementary Baileyburg. This monument was placed to commemorate the Bailey Bridge which served for many years after the destruction of the old swing bridge.
Tip! In Wijk en Aalburg you will find several elements that remind you of World War II. On the church at the Grote Kerstraat 30 you will find a plaque. It commemorates the destruction of the church tower during the liberation of Wijk en Aalburg. Nearby, at Grote Kerkstraat 32, you will find the peace monument.
Tip! Just before Maasdijk 58 is a strip on the right side of the road where you can easily and safely dismount. If you look to the right there between the trees, you will see the Creek about 100 meters away. Approximately behind number 58 the Halifax MZ312 crashed on the bank of this Creek.
The crew of a Handley Page Halifax MKIII was on their way home after a raid on Bottrop in Germany when their aircraft was taken off by night fighter pilot Feldwebel Heinz Misch of the 7./NJG 2, flying a Junkers Ju 88 G-1 from Volkel airfield and attacked them from behind, causing a fire in the right wing. The crew had taken off in the evening of July 20, 1944 at 11:06 p.m. with the MZ312 ZA-E from Melbourne airfield in England. July 21 at 01:45 a.m. the Halifax crashed at the Kreek on Molendijk in Wijk en Aalburg behind Maasdijk 58. Molendijk was a hamlet on the Maasdijk at the time. All crew members managed to jump except the tail gunner who had already been killed by shrapnel. Due to the force of the crash, a wheel of the main landing gear bounced about 100 meters away across the dike, where you are now standing. The jumped crew was immediately, or in time, apprehended and made prisoners of war. Of radio operator Lowrey, it is not clear whether he was also made a prisoner or still escaped. Indeed, he does not appear on POW (prisoner of war) lists. Text: Adri Burghout, War Museum Veen
Fun tip at node 66
At 66 go straight across Zwaansheuvelsedijk, turn right Zwaansheuvelsedijk (nice here: at the end you look into a cowshed on the left). Zwaansheuvelsedijk turns into Midgraaf, then follow junction 67 on your right. Here you cross a small bridge onto a paved path through Pompveld. Highly recommended!
Note! Since there are no nodes connected from this side, there is no sign indicating route towards node 67 from this side. However, this is the correct route towards 67. In fact, coming from the other side, the sign is there.
Park your bike at the Pompveld and walk from here through/around the Pompveld, about 5km.
Tip: At junction 67
Picnic benches
Tip! Nice trip, between node 53 and 52 you will find the village Meeuwen
There you will find an emergency house, directly behind the White Mill
Kleibergsestraat 52a. This is service road off Provincialeweg-Zuid (N283). The makeshift house, like the White Mill, is open every Saturday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Admission is free.
At the end of 1944, the Allied advance south of the Bergsche Maas River comes to a halt. In the Land of Heusden and Altena, 16,000 German soldiers are stationed. A prestige battle breaks out at Capelse Veer between German paratrooper general Kurt Student and British general sir John Crocker. The battle for Capelse Veer eventually cost the lives of 572 Allies and 243 Germans. Starting in November 1944, Meeuwen was heavily bombed and soon declared a "Sperrgebiet. All inhabitants must leave immediately.
Seagulls remained off-limits until the end of the war. When all dead animals and unexploded bombs were cleared, residents could not return until the end of June 1945. In Meeuwen, 56 homes were totally destroyed and many were severely damaged. As a result, dhe housing shortage was enormous. Soon, wooden and concrete emergency houses, popularly called "bunker," were erected under the Emergency Housing Decree. In total, over 400 "emergency facilities" were built in the Land of Heusden and Altena, 188 of which were emergency houses. Text: Ons Meeuwen.
Tip! Direction of junction 50 War Memorial (Molenkade, Dussen)
Direction of node 51
Crash site Dornier. Just before the bowl sign where the road disappears among the trees, you can see a field on the right. Where the driveway to the land ends and turns into the cropland there has been a huge crater to the right of the driveway, probably caused by the exploding torpedoes the Dornier was carrying.
On September 22, 1943, at 01:15 a.m., a Dornier Do 217M-1 (work number 56049) of the 9./KG 2 crashed in Dussen, just after taking off from Gilze-Rijen. The crash was just along the Oude Kerkstraat between Junctions 50 and 51. Just before the Oude Kerkstraat, seen from the bicycle dike, disappears between the trees, between the Oude Kerkstraat and the Afwateringskanaal (about 150 meters away from the bicycle dike).
The entire crew perished in this crash. Pilot Uffz. Rudolf Sachs (23), observer Gfr. Rüdiger Kass (20), radio operator Ogfr. Willy Arnold (22) and air gunner Ogfr. Harald Hilpmann (20) are buried at Ysselsteyn. This crash also claimed a life on the ground. The bomber collided with the canal dike in the Rommegat where also the house, café Blikken Emmer (now disappeared) of Adriaan van de Pluijm was hit. In this crash his son Antonius van der Pluijm was killed. Adriaan himself went blind. Text: Adri Burghout, War Museum Veen
Tip: Between node 59 and 58 you can turn off to the village of Eethen.
In the village you will find a Stumbling Stone near the Reformed Church in the church path. German artist Gunter Demnig began laying the first Stolperstein in the Berlin neighborhood of Kreuzberg in 1997. Since then, there have been tripstones in many countries. It is a reminder of the Holocaust in World War II.
A tripstone is a 10 x 10 cm concrete stone, with a brass plate at the top into which is stamped the name, date of birth and death and place of death.
The tripstone will be placed in the sidewalk in front of the victim's former residence. Text: TracesOfWar.co.uk
Council House Street 21
During World War II, German soldiers had written on a house the text "Glauben Kämpfen Siegen." After the war, this text was removed, but it is still partially legible. Repaired bullet impacts are also still visible on the house. Text: TracesOfWar.com
Investigate and find the gnome children's nuggets
One day, Gnome Clogmaker was hard at work with a large order of gnome clogs in all kinds of cheerful colors. It was gnome school vacation and his children were bored. He made some extra nuggets and decided to set out a fun route in the forest for his children and their friends so they would have something fun to do. He marked the route with the brightly colored nuggets and at each stop he made up an assignment. The assignments were fun and educational for the gnome children; after all, they must be very good at running, recognizing trees and knowing a lot about the environment. The children spent the entire vacation playing in nature, and Gnome Clogmaker was finally able to finish his work.
The gnome vacation is over, but the route is still there, for another vacation. And good news, the kids in Altena get to use the trail all year, too. Will you join us?
In cooperation with Brabant Landscape.
Starting point: Parking lot intersection Wilgenhof/Parallelweg Giessen
Find the nugget with the correct number and perform the tasks below there:
1. Who is fastest, left or right?
Will it be left or will it be right? Pick a side and find out which of you is fastest. 3, 2, 1... GO!
2. Over the hills
How adventurous are you? Find the path through the hills and go over them. Listen carefully! Can you hear the leaves in the wind?
3. Find the trees in love
Even trees sometimes fall in love! Some trees under the ground hold each other's roots, and others give each other hugs above the ground. Can you find the trees in love in the Almbos? They are an alder and an elm.
4. Time for a game
Guess the Tree - Close your eyes, and be taken to a tree. Feel, smell: is the tree thick, thin, does moss grow on it, is it wet, what kind of smell does it have? Ready? Let yourself be taken back to the path. Open your eyes again - can you now discover which tree it was?
Are you with 3 or more people? Then you can play tree swapping. Everyone stands by a tree, except the ticker. He stands in the middle. Then you switch trees: you make eye contact with someone at another tree, and then run fast to each other's tree. But be careful! If you're not near a tree, the ticker may tap you. If you succeed, you become the ticker. Play until you are tired.
5. Tracking
Gnomes are super good trackers. How about you? Do you see tracks in the forest? Paw prints, scratch and gnaw marks, half-eaten plants, nuts or pine cones, or maybe a tuft of fur? Which animal do you think the track belongs to? And while you're tracking, where would you hide if you were a gnome?
6. Break and Find Leaves
Find leaves on the ground and place them on the table from small to large. Do you know which tree or shrub they belong to? See how big the trees are here? You can have fun playing hide and seek there.
7. At the circus
Balancing can be learned! Walk across this tube.
8. Listen carefully
Gnomes are not only good at tracking, they also have very good ears. Be very quiet? Can you hear which animals live here? With your eyes closed you can listen even better.
9. Aged tree
This thick tree is a hornbeam. The wood of hornbeams is very hard. So hard that wheels used to be made from it, which is why it is called a wheel tree. Because this tree is so thick, we think it is very old, but we don't know exactly how old. How old do you think the tree is? What would this tree have been through?
10. Spot the kingfisher
The kingfisher is a striking bird because of its blue and orange appearance. Can you find one? When they fly by you only see a 'blue streak'. Many birds make their nest from branches and fluff, but did you know that the kingfisher digs tunnels at least half a meter deep? This is where the female lays her eggs. Sit on the bench and peer at the water, maybe you'll get lucky and a kingfisher will pass by. Not seen one? Then be sure to come back again!
Walk this gnome trail at your own risk.
Nodes: 40 - 56 - 54 -52 - 50 - 51 - 59 - 57 - 53 - 67 - 71 - 41 - 40
Number of km: 39 km
Starting point: Nature Gate Fort Altena near node 40
Near node 40 Start and end point route at the Brabantse Natuurpoort Fort Altena
Tol 8, 4251 PX Werkendam
Fort Altena dates from 1847-1850, making it the oldest of the four Brabant forts in the New Dutch Waterline. It is also the only tower fort of these four forts.
The tower of Fort Altena owes its name mainly to its round shape, not to its height. It consists of 2 layers: a basement and a first floor. The walls are "bombproof" and nearly 2 meters thick, as protection against artillery strikes. Ironically, when these walls were completed, they had already been overtaken by developments in the arms industry. They were never truly bomb-proof.
In 1878, the fort was substantially rebuilt and expanded to three times its original size. It also changed its name: henceforth it was called "Fort aan den Uppelschen Dijk.
Tip: Regular tours of Fort Altena.
Tip: Between node 56 and 54 (just off the route) Duyls Bos - location Almkerk
Open from Thursday to Sunday from 11.00 - 16.00 hrs.
The Duyls Bos is a gem yet to be discovered. You easily bike or walk past it without ever knowing what lurks among the trees.
How to get there. At node 56, turn left at the intersection across Emmikhovenseweg, then turn right onto Duijlweg (you'll pass the Duyls Bos on the left), then turn right onto Midgraaf and left onto Provincialeweg Zuid to pick up the route towards node 54 here. Note: if you visit this location, you extend the bike route by about 2.6 km.
Between nodes 52 and 54
You pass a traditional clog factory. Here you can come during the day for a cup of coffee and a visit to the clog store. Demonstrations in the clog-making shop are by reservation only. Go back in time with Prisca's blog and discover the clog-making shop and Duyls Bos.
Between node 52 and 50
Between 52 and 50, on Wilhelminastraat, there is a rest area and a water tap of Brabant Water. For this you have to deviate about 100 meters from the route.
Near node 52 you will find Kasteel Dussen
Address: Binnen 1-4, 4271 BV Dussen
Open on sunday afternoon
In the late 14th century, the original "donjon," a four-story residential tower, was expanded into a castle by various descendants of the van der Dussen family. In the course of time, the castle changed hands regularly and various (noble) families added floors, additions and extensions and a Tuscan colonnade. Over the centuries the castle has suffered many misfortunes, the lowest being the St. Elisabeth flood and various wars. From 1954 to 1997 the castle served as the town hall, after which it came into the hands of Monuments Fund Brabant.
Between 50, 51 and 59 you cycle along the Bergsche Maas
Behind the dike is the Bergsche Maas. This begins at Welle and flows past the fortified town of Geertruidenberg towards Hollands Diep.
Between node 53 and 67
You drive over a small bridge here onto a semi-paved path through Pompveld.
Tip! Park your bike at the Pompveld and walk from here through/around the Pompveld, about 5 km.
Nature Reserve Pompveld
In the early 1960s this region was virtually smoothed over by large-scale land consolidation, a disaster for nature and landscape. Only one polder escaped the dance.
The Pompveld is about 240 acres, a reserve of wet meadows, willow and poplar forests, an oasis of peace and quiet. The Pompveld is not freely accessible, but you can walk around the Pompveld (6 km). With a little luck, you will see deer, hawks or egrets during that walk. Who you certainly won't see is the mud creeper hiding in the water. Centrally located in the Pompveld, a historic duck decoy is maintained where professional decoy workers work during open days.
At node 67
Picnic benches
Junction 71 Uitwijk
Here you will find a water tap of Brabant Water and a small square with benches
Between node 40 and 41
You pass Landgoed Kraaiveld, where breads and cakes from baker Hardeman, fresh organic vegetables from the estate and juices are sold. You also pass the 2 windmills near Uppel.