Vesting tot vestingroute; Geertruidenberg - Heusden

AFSTAND 67 KM Download GPX

This 62 kilometer long bicycle route is very suitable for e-bikers, but certainly also for cyclists on road bikes (note: part gravel paths).

You start your bike tour at the corner Stationsweg/Walgang in fortified Geertruidenberg. Soon you ride over the former Halve Zolen railroad, named after the leather products that were transported there from the end of the 19th century. Today, the railroad serves as a bicycle path. The path of over 20 kilometers runs from Geertruidenberg to Drunen. Along the way you pass five impressive works of art(FOOTPRINT, Ode to the sand ridge, Koffijhuis, Het Wiel and On top of the world), which tell the story of De Langstraat and the railroad.

You then ride along the beautiful Elshoutse Zeedijk. This dike winds along sixteen wheels (ponds) created by dike breaches. The dike was built as protection against the rising waters of the Meuse and the Baardwijkse Overlaat. Later, as part of the Stelling van Heusden and the Zuiderwaterlinie, the dike was also used to defend against enemies from the south.

The route brings you into fortified town Heusden, a nice place to stop and take advantage of the many catering establishments. In the visitor center of Heusden there is a Tourist Information Point, where hospitable volunteers are happy to tell you more about what you can see and do in region De Langstraat.

Via the Bernse Veer you cross the Bergsche Maas (which was dug between 1888 and 1904) free of charge and via the Drongelense Veer further on you come south of the river again. For current sailing times check the Bergsche Maasveren website.

In times of extreme high water, the Bergsche Maas is a threat to villages and towns along the river from Geertruidenberg to 's Hertogenbosch. Water Board Brabantse Delta, government and residents have worked together to create room for the river in the Overdiepse Polder to prevent flooding. Farms in this area have been placed on mounds.

You end the route after 62 kilometers back in Geertruidenberg.