Dike route 1

The Dike Route is a wonderful bike ride that brings nature, culture and history together in a quiet and easy to ride route. Whether you love forts, getting a breath of fresh air over dikes, the farming landscape or the stories of the water: this route shows you the Biesbosch Line at its best. Highly recommended for both the recreational cyclist and the curious explorer.

1. Dussen - a village between dikes and castles

The tour starts in Dussen. Here you will find the impressive Kasteel Dussen, a medieval castle that nowadays serves as a wedding location and cultural center. Tours and activities are regularly organized there. The dike on which you cycle has protected the hinterland from the waters of the Biesbosch for centuries. You pass old farms and have regular views over meadows and ditches.

2. Hank - the gateway to the Biesbosch

Via rural roads you reach Hank, a village that is especially known for its location near the Biesbosch. Here you notice how the landscape becomes more open and the water is more and more emphatically present. You cycle partly along the Nieuwe Merwede, with views of reed beds, canals and maybe even a sailboat or canoeist. Those who wish can take a short detour to the Biesbosch MuseumEiland or plan a boat trip from the marina.

3. Nieuwendijk

After Hank you follow the dike in the direction of Nieuwendijk. Here you experience the special peace of the countryside, with grazing cows, thatched barns and ditches crossing the landscape like veins. A little later, the imposing Fort Altena comes into view, part of the New Dutch Waterline. This 19th-century fort has been beautifully restored.

4. Fort Altena

This unique fortification is definitely worth a stop. It is part of UNESCO World Heritage and marks the intersection between military history and natural beauty. Take some time to look around. There are also regular guided tours. Or enjoy a drink on the cozy terrace. The brasserie is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

5. Uppel - an agricultural landscape

From Fort Altena you cycle along the dike towards Uppel. The landscape is open and wide. Here you feel the soul of the Brabant countryside, where life still seems to move at a more leisurely pace. You ride along narrow roads between orchards, corn fields and pollard willows.

6. Almkerk

The last kilometers take you to Almkerk. Here there are catering facilities, stores and beautiful views of the river landscape. Almkerk itself has a village character and is surrounded by dikes, mills and old polder structures. The route ends in the same rural atmosphere in which it began - surrounded by greenery, water and silence.

Why this route is special

• Dikes as timelines: You cycle almost constantly on or along dikes. They not only shape the landscape, but also tell the story of struggle and cooperation with the water.

• Variety in landscape: From small-scale meadows to water-rich nature, from forts to villages - the route is surprisingly varied.

• Historical elements: Fort Altena, Kasteel Dussen and old farms give this tour an extra cultural dimension.

• Peace and quiet: The route is relatively quiet, ideal for those who really want to escape the hustle and bustle of city or highway.

Tips

• Pavement: The route runs entirely on paved bicycle paths and country roads.

• Catering establishments: Fort Altena and Almkerk offer good resting places with places to eat and drink.

• Sights: Take a (short) detour to Dussen Kasteel Dussen or the Biesbosch MuseumEiland.