Fort Route 't Gooi

From the parking lot, there are signs pointing to Muiderslot Castle; just before Muiderslot Castle, you'll see the Muizenfort on your right. The Muizenfort is the link between the New Dutch Waterline and the Defence Line of Amsterdam. Then cycle to Muiderslot Castle. At Muiderslot Castle, turn left. This is a short walk. After about 300 meters (opposite number 33), you'll find the ferry departure point for the Pampus Fortress Island. Pampus Fortress Island is located off Muiden, 3 kilometers offshore in the IJmeer. During the Dutch East India Company (VOC) era, the ships "Voor Pampus" (For Pampus) moored off the sandbank on which the Fortress Island was later built. The entire island was built in the 19th century to protect the harbor of Amsterdam as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From this point, return to junctions 17, 18, and 33. From junction 33, follow Westwalstraat southeast. After approximately 200 meters, you'll reach the entrance to the Fortress Museum. From here, cycle back to junctions 33, 78, and 79. From junction 79 (on Oud Bussummerweg), follow junction 35. The cycle path ends perpendicular to Amersfoortsestraatweg; follow junction 35 to the right. After a few 100 meters, turn left over the A1. After the roundabout, go straight onto Huizerweg. At the first roundabout, turn left onto HALorentzweg, then take the second right (Voormeulenweg) and the first left (Dr. A. Kuijperlaan). Here, in the heart of Bussum, lies a unique defensive structure: Fort Werk IV. The entrance to Fort Werk IV is after 200 meters on the left (before the Spant Theatre!). This additional defense of the Naarden Fortress consisted of five fortifications arranged in a semicircle in Bussum. Werk IV, the main fortification, is the only one remaining. Then cycle back to junctions 35, 34, 49, 48, and 47, heading towards junction 46. Between junctions 46 and 47 lies Fort Uitermeer. The restored castle once protected a lock in the 's-Gravelandse Vaart canal and the (railway) road to Hilversum. The remaining buildings of the fort provide winter shelter for whiskered bats and Daubenton's bats. After this, cycle back to junctions 47 and 45. Between junctions 47 and 45 lies Fort aan de Ossenmarkt. Within the Weesp fortress, a bombproof tower fort with a circular moat and drawbridge was built on the Ossenmarkt. The purpose of the tower fort was to close off and defend the banks of the Vecht and the locks. Originally part of the New Dutch Waterline, it was later added to the Defence Line of Amsterdam. The current situation clearly shows what the bombproof towers and guardhouses originally looked like. The Ossenmarkt tower fort is open to the public during public holidays. Afterward, return to junction 44 and 16 to the parking lot near Muiderslot. This cycling route is offered by RBT Gooi & Vecht. For all tourist information about the Gooi & Vecht region, see the official VVV website for the region: www.gooivecht.nl.