Extensive fortland route

A high sandy ridge with deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests. Prehistoric burial mounds on an extensive heath. Grasslands with sand ice ditches. Green estates. The high Table Mountain and many meadows.'t Gooi has a wide variety of landscape types: the ponds along the edges of the area are filled with seepage water that flows down from the high sand ridge. The alternation of forests and heathland creates a beautiful scenic landscape. And of course the residential areas are known to every Dutch person. By means of an ingenious system, the height of the water in certain areas around the Gooi near the New Dutch Waterline could be regulated, so that passage became impossible for ships and men on foot or on horseback. Massive forts were built in places where inundation was not possible, or where roads had been constructed. Because these forts were developed to optimally defend the environment, most fortifications are unique. Construction of the water line was planned in 1815 and was not completed until 1870; the construction took several decades! The water line was deployed during the Franco-Prussian War and during the First and Second World Wars. You park your car (free) at Muiderslot. Count Floris V had the castle built around 1285, after he took charge of the area around Muiden. In 1296 he was overpowered by his own nobles and kidnapped to his own castle. When they fled after five days, they were stopped at Muiderberg and the count was brutally murdered. The most famous resident of the Muiderslot is PC Hoofdt, after which the famous shopping street in Amsterdam is named. In 1609 he was appointed drost of Muiden and bailiff of the Gooiland. He lived in the castle for no less than 38 years. The fort can now be visited and you can rent the location for various purposes. The first fort you come across is Fort Ronduit. There was previously a defense structure here and the current fort was built between 1873 and 1875 on the remains of this old fortress. At this strategic location it defended the land outside the dike that stretched north of the fortress of Naarden. The fort has a guardhouse and a bomb-proof barracks. These are connected with a crane bridge. The fortress, which has been granted national monument status, is surrounded by a wet moat. You continue your journey through the swampy landscape and see Fort Uitermeer looming on the horizon from afar. This fort is located on the Vecht River and between forests and meadows. The fortress is part of the New Dutch Waterline. The tower fort is an important eye-catcher in the area and also offers beautiful views over the Naardermeer and the many country estates in the area. The next fort you will encounter during this cycle tour is the Fort at Hinderdam. Sea locks, a turning and discharge lock and a dam were built in a bend of the Vecht river, which was in open connection with the Zuiderzee. Initially there were no defenses here, but in 1629 an earthen fortification was built, which was reinforced in 1672. A year later, a bastioned fort was built, which could control traffic on the river and on the dikes and support nearby forts with artillery. In 1815 the fort was included in the New Dutch Waterline, but in 1913 the fortress was transferred to the Defense Line of Amsterdam. Nowadays the fort has an ecological destination: the island and the buildings are overgrown with trees and shrubs. The last fort you can view during the route is the fort at Ossenmarkt. A bomb-proof tower with a circular moat and drawbridge was built on the Ossenmarkt in 1859-1861 to protect the railway line between Hilversum and Amsterdam. On some days the fort is open to the public and sometimes walks are organized that include a visit to the fort.