Central Delftland

Lively port cities and a varied route through a network of green areas and lively cities such as Vlaardingen and Schiedam await you when you follow this route from the South Holland Tourist Board. At the heart of the area is a protected peat meadow landscape: Midden-Delfland and Oude Leede. You will also encounter several historic mills along the route. The route starts at the Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) Vlaardingen. You cycle through the nature reserve to Schipluiden and Maasland. Between these two villages, in the Kralingerpolder, is the Grote or Oude mill (hull/remains). The Grote Molen was a large, stone ground sailor and was built in 1752. This mill was close to the Kleine mill. They both drained the polder using wind energy. The mill was dismantled in 1913. A little further on in Maassluis there are two other windmills within a radius of 200 meters: Drie Lelies and the Dijkmolen. De Drie Lelies is a flour mill from 1767, which originally ground cattle fodder. An interesting detail is that the daughter of the first miller died after being hit by the blades of the mill when the mill was just in operation. After 1985 the mill stood still for a long time, but nowadays the mill runs regularly again. The Dijkmolen dates from 1718 and was built to replace another mill. This mill was not a corn mill, unlike the De Drie Lelies mill, but a polder mill that drained the Ommedijkse Polder. The special thing about the Dijkmolen is the flight; At 29.2 meters it is the largest historic mill in the Netherlands. The Dijkmolen is inhabited by the miller and is still in working order, but can only be visited during the Westland Mill Day. There is also plenty to do in Maasluis at the Vlietland Water Sports Center. In this recreational area you can spot birds or participate in all kinds of fun (water) sports activities. You follow the Scheur river upstream in the direction of Vlaardingen, the herring city. Fishing has always been important in the history of Vlaardingen. After the Second World War, industry and other port activities also started to play an important role. This cycling route is offered to you by the South Holland Tourist Board.