Deltaworks and Dunes Tour

DAY TO DAY SCHEDULE

Free parking at the hotel, no reservation required. When you travel down by public transport, please note that it will take you around three hours to reach Burgh Haamstede from either Amsterdam Airport or Hook of Holland harbour. NS (Dutch Rail) do not serve this outpost! You will have to journey here by metro/bus from Rotterdam. To shorten your travel time, consider making the town of Brielle the starting point of your tour.

Today provides a thorough introduction to a special Dutch masterpiece: the Delta Works, a construction of dams, dikes and sluices, were constructed to protect the low-lying hinterland from flooding. Through the Delta Constructions and the Grevelingendam Brouwersdam cycle of Schouwen-Duiveland to the island of Goeree-Overflakkee. At the end of the afternoon you will cycle over a third Delta Construction: the Haringvlietdam. You can reach the old fortified town of Brielle, one of Dutch most important pilgrimage sites. The star-shaped fortifications (including moat, canals, ramparts, bastions) have been lovingly restored and the 400+ listed buildings are a sight to behold. Here you can spend the night in your comfortable hotel.

50 km
You start today at the Brielsemeer, a paradise par excellence with a rich bird life. Along the river Bernisse, with its banks of forests, natural areas and pastures, you reach the south side of the island. Follow the river Spui. The route takes you further to Hoekse Waard, a diverse island with authentic villages, numerous national monuments, dykes and extensive polders. Of the many windmills that once drained the polders, twelve remain. Through the Volkerakdam, the fifth project of the Delta Works, you can reach the cozy town of Willemstad. Who has got energy left, can treat themselves to a walk through the historic center. Here you will visit some perfectly preserved fortifications.

48 km
Today you cycle on the island of Goeree – Overflakkee to Oude Tonge amid a mosaic landscape of rectangular polders, rolling dunes and golden sand flats. Via the bridge over the Grevelingenmeer you reach the cozy mussel town Bruinisse, located on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. Bruinisse is called “the port of Zealand.”. Take your time to take a nice walk through the harbor area, or enjoy a coffee at one of the many terraces. You continue your journey through Schouwen-Duiveland, the island is known for its tranquility, space and rich nature. You can reach the historic town of Zierikzee, situated on the Oosterschelde estuary. With its medieval street pattern, more than 500 historic attractions and an impressive marina. Try a Zeeland delicacy: “Zeeuwse bolus” (pastry with syrup and cinnamon) or “Schouws palingbroodje” (a bread roll with smoked eel).For local history, do explore the Maritime Museum revealing on Zierikzee’s glorious seafaring and trading past. Zierikzee is one of the main tourist attractions of the island.

56 km
Through the Zeeland Bridge, once the longest bridge in Europe, you can reach North Beveland. North Beveland is the smallest island of Zeeland and has a unique location between the North Sea, the Oosterschelde and Lake Veere. Oosterschelde National Park is an estuarine tidal habitat. Tidal flats are submerged by seawater at high tide and re-emerge at low tide covered in food for water birds. They are also a favourite resting place for seals. Flora and fauna in and around the Oosterschelde adapt to both freshwater from the rivers and salty seawater. Few tourists have made it this far! Cycling west, past fields and pastures and through tiny villages, you will reach world famous Oosterscheldekering. This is the Storm Surge Barrier, the largest, most ingenious and expensive of the Delta Works. Cycling along the rustic North Beveland Zeeland fields and authentic villages. You will cycle through the tranquil woods of “Kop van Schouwen” nature reserve. Once back on Schouwen-Duiveland enjoy a beautiful dune landscape with sand dunes, dune valleys and meadows. At the end of the day you are back at your start hotel in Burgh Haamstede.

After breakfast at the hotel you will return home