Waterlinie Fietsroute

The best way to discover the Netherlands' greatest secret? By bike, of course! The beautiful line area full of forts, locks, dykes, canals and bunkers is perfect for a multi-day cycling trip. Cycling through the typically Dutch landscape, you will discover robust buildings, idyllic panoramic views, Burgundian restaurants and interesting museums. Enjoy it to the full. Experience it yourself!

Unesco World Heritage site

The Waterlinie Fietsroute goes largely through the province of Utrecht, but starts in Abcoude, where the oldest land fort of the Defence Line of Amsterdam is located. Soon, the tour goes along the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, which runs from the beautiful fortified town of Muiden to the Biesbosch. Submerging large areas about 50 centimetres under water killed two birds with one stone in the past. The land became impassable for soldiers, horses and vehicles and it was just too shallow for boats to pass through. Thus, the western part of the Netherlands became inaccessible to the enemy. Today, the New Dutch Waterline is the largest national monument in the Netherlands and Unesco World Heritage Site, complementing the Defence Line of Amsterdam. The line is particularly beautifully hidden in the landscape. Therein lies its great secret: it is there, but you don't see it.

The Waterlinie Fietsroute is a 242 km route through the green line area of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. You can do the route in stages or make a cycling holiday of it. Whichever part of the route you cycle, you will enjoy it!

For the complete route and more information, visit www.waterliniefietsroute.nl. You can also get the route for free at VVV Gorinchem.