Cycling along the Oude Maas from Fietscafé de Aveling

Under the proverbial smoke of Rotterdam, it is nice to cycle along the natural banks of the Oude Maas. First you drive through the Valckesteijnse Bos. Thanks to the many poplars, this nature reserve seems older than it is. In the historic village center of Rhoon you will see the sixteenth-century village church and a castle that originally dates from 1432. Further on you pass through the Carnisse Grienden, a nature reserve that still has freshwater tides. In the Jan Gerritsepolder you pass the Gaatkensbult: a work of art that also serves as a lookout hill. It is also wonderfully peaceful to cycle through nature on the other side of the Oude Maas. In the port of Oud-Beijerland you take a ferry, after which you drive back to Hoogvliet.