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
Activity: cycling