Winding creeks and cool casemates

This relatively short cycle route in Zuid-Beveland (Zeeland) leads through a lovely, atmospheric landscape full of winding creeks with sloping banks and beautiful reed beds. In the swampy, rural area you cycle past characteristic farms and through fields and orchards. Fort Ellewoutsdijk and the Butterfly Garden deserve special attention on this beautiful route. Before the bike tour starts, you can request more information about the area, the fort or the butterfly garden at the VVV information column Kwadendamme / Butterfly Garden. The cycle route leads in a westerly direction, but turns south after 6 kilometers (junction 93). Fort Ellewoutsdijk is located on the edge of the peninsula in the village of Ellewoutsdijk. Fort Ellewoutsdijk is privately owned, but has great cultural-historical value. It is part of a defensive line from the 19th century and was therefore built between 1835 and 1839. Equipped with cannons on the fortress of Terneuzen, the fort defended the Western Scheldt and prevented enemy ships from sailing to Antwerp. In the Second World War, the Germans took possession of the fortress and the fortress served as a prison. Even after the war, the fort was used in that capacity for a while and it housed a number of NSB prisoners. In addition to great historical value, the fort has ecological value. Two migratory bird species, the black redstart and barn swallow, breed around the fortress. Continue on the cycle route in a northerly direction. On the tour you cycle through the small village of Driewegen and through the slightly larger Ovezande, until you reach junction 93 again. Keep cycling north. After you have crossed the village of Nisse, windmill'De Poel\\\' is on the route. It is still capable of grinding, but only runs occasionally to produce fodder. The original design, which was not named at the time, dates from 1792. In 1981 the mill was restored. In 1995'De Poel\\\' got its name, so that the mill could be better indicated. Further on the route, when you have cycled through the village's-Gravenpolder, another flour mill called'De Korenhalm\\\' is on the program. A shop is located at this mill, which was built in 1876. Local and baking products are sold here, as well as the flour that is still milled weekly at the mill. The mill can be visited by the public. Back in Kwadendamme,'kwadendamme sgb\\\' is also more than worth your time. You can explore the region further with old trains and railway lines. The contrast of historic machinery (such as steam trains) deployed in a modern landscape is special to say the least!