Routiq

Steenbergen received its city rights in 1272 and has a surprisingly historic heart. It is also good to be outside the center in nature reserves with mud flats, creeks, gullies and a lot of rugged vegetation. Like Bergen op Zoom, Steenbergen is part of the West Brabant Waterline and therefore the Zuiderwaterlinie.

The Zuiderwaterlinie is the oldest, longest and most used of all Dutch waterlines. A unique chain of 11 fortified towns and their surrounding countryside, connected by the typical Dutch story of defending with water. From Bergen op Zoom to Grave you will now find Brabant cosiness against the backdrop of a rich history. Enjoy the cozy historic fortified towns, visit the sturdy fortresses or relax in the special nature.

The Zuiderwaterlinie hiking trail is plotted over the Brabant hiking node system. The walking route is recognizable by the green-and-yellow signage with the Zuiderwaterlinie symbol. The total length of the hiking trail is 290 kilometers, but you can also choose to hike shorter sub-routes.

Directions

#	Description	Distance
	Startpunt Etappe 2 (4614PV, Roosendaal, North Brabant, The Netherlands)	0.00 km
60	60 (Laagweg, 4614PV, Roosendaal, North Brabant, The Netherlands)	0.27 km
	Inundatiegebied Het Laag (Halsters Laag, 4614PA, Bergen op Zoom, North Brabant, The Netherlands)	0.71 km
63	63 (Laageinde, 4664RW, Bergen op Zoom, North Brabant, The Netherlands)	0.78 km
60	60 (Laagweg, 4614PV, Roosendaal, North Brabant, The Netherlands)	1.15 km
8	8 (4651VD, Steenbergen, North Brabant, The Netherlands)	2.15 km

Sights

Startpunt Etappe 2

6
4614PV Roosendaal

Inundatiegebied Het Laag

Halsters Laag 5
4614PA Bergen op Zoom
https://www.zuiderwaterlinie.nl/11-vestingsteden/natuurgebieden-noord-brabant/inundatiegebied-het-laag

Het Laag is a nature reserve near Bergen op Zoom, south of the fortified town of Steenbergen. It consists of four parts: the Halstersch Laag, the Oudlands Laag, Verdonk Aanwas and Het verdun Westland. For generations it was used as an inundation area. Peat was cut here. Part of De Ligne, the canal they used to transport the peat in the past, can still be seen. Because of all that digging, the Halstersch Laag and Oudlands Laag are well below NAP. The Halstersch Laag and Oudlands Laag were part of the West Brabant Waterline. When the enemy approached, the area could be flooded. For example, the Halstersch Laag and Oudlands Laag were flooded for twenty years during the Eighty Years' War. Later, at the siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1747, they tried to stop the French with the water. Today, the Halstersch Laag and Oudlands Laag offer a varied landscape full of deciduous forest, meadows, fields and hedgerows. The variety is due to its location: on top of the Seam of Brabant, the transition between sandy and clay soil. Seepage water (good quality groundwater) comes to the surface here, which is good for the growth of rare plants. Bird watchers can enjoy breeding birds such as the curlew, godwit and lapwing.

STEENBERGEN

4651CP Steenbergen
https://www.zuiderwaterlinie.nl/11-vestingsteden/vestingsteden/vestingstad-steenbergen

The Steenbergen fortress dominated the country road between the Zeeland and the Dutch islands. Its location and weak defenses led to one siege, conquest and recapture after another between 1572 and 1622. The population suffered greatly from this penny exchange between the Spanish and State troops. On July 18, 1622, 3 companies of Spaniards conquered the fortified city for the last time. A few months later, Prince Maurits was able to relieve Steenbergen and in turn marched into the fortified city with an enormous army. The recapture of Steenbergen was celebrated exuberantly throughout the country. After 1626, thanks to the construction of Fort Henricus, Steenbergen became a real, impregnable fortress. Steenbergen has a small, cozy city center. The perfect base for exploring the countryside. The area is characterized by polders, nature, lock complexes and defense lines.

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