Meandering creeks and cool casemates

This relatively short cycling route in Zuid-Beveland (Zeeland) leads through a charming, atmospheric landscape full of winding creeks with rolling banks and beautiful reed beds. In the marshy, rural area, you'll cycle past characteristic farms and through fields and orchards. Fort Ellewoutsdijk and the Butterfly Garden deserve special attention on this beautiful route. Before the cycle tour begins, you can request more information about the area, the fort, or the butterfly garden at the Kwadendamme / Butterfly Garden tourist information kiosk. The cycle route heads west, but after 6 kilometers (junction 93) it turns south. Fort Ellewoutsdijk is located on the edge of the peninsula in the village of Ellewoutsdijk. Fort Ellewoutsdijk is privately owned but has significant cultural and historical significance. It is part of a 19th-century defensive line and was built between 1835 and 1839. Equipped with cannons on the fortress of Terneuzen, the fortress defended the Western Scheldt and prevented enemy ships from sailing to Antwerp. During World War II, the Germans took possession of the fortress and it served as a prison. Even after the war, the fortress was briefly used in that capacity and housed a number of NSB prisoners. Besides its significant historical value, the fortress also has ecological significance. Two migratory bird species, the black redstart and the barn swallow, breed around the fortress. Continue the cycle route north. On the way, you'll cycle through the small village of Driewegen and the slightly larger Ovezande, until you reach junction 93. Continue north. After crossing the village of Nisse, you'll see the windmill "De Poel" on the route. This mill is still operational, but only turns occasionally to produce animal feed. The original design, which incidentally was not named at the time, dates from 1792. The mill was restored in 1981. In 1995, it was given its name "De Poel" so that it could be better identified. Further along the route, after cycling through the village of 's-Gravenpolder, you'll see another corn mill called "De Korenhalm." This mill, built in 1876, has a small shop. It sells regional and baked goods, as well as the flour that is still ground weekly at the mill. The mill is open to the public. Back in Kwadendamme, "Kwadendamme sgb" is also well worth your time. You can explore the region further with old trains and railway lines. The contrast between historical machinery (such as steam trains) deployed in a modern landscape is remarkable to say the least!