Fort route from Muiden via Naarden to Weesp and back

\\\'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, but there is more: a high sand ridge with deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests, with De Tafelberg being the highest point, prehistoric burial mounds on an extensive heath and grassy grasslands and meadows with sand ice ditches. The New Dutch Waterline played an important role in Dutch history as a defense line. The New Dutch Waterline was constructed in the eighteenth century and replaced the Dutch Waterline, which dates from the end of the seventeenth century. The new line stretched 85 kilometers from an island in the Zuiderzee to the Biesbosch. The defense line included 46 forts and the fortified towns of Muiden, Weesp, Naarden, Gorinchem and Woudrichem. You will explore three of these historic places on this beautiful tour. Although less known than its big brother in Rotterdam, but no less fun to visit, are the ports of Muiden and Muiderberg. Take a look at the beautiful marina of Muiden, while you get a breath of fresh air along the water and enjoy the bustling environment, a nice change from the tranquility inland. West Battery (Muiden Fortress) is a tower fort that was built in 1850-1852 as part of the New Dutch Waterline, but an earthen fort was already built on this site in 1799. West Battery (Fortress Muiden) is not completely round but oval and has two floors. The walls on the sea side are much thicker than the rest, because most enemy fire was expected from that side. The fortress was surrounded by a moat about 8 meters wide. The arrival of the high-explosive shell in 1885 made the fort militarily obsolete. Because Fort Pampus, which had large cannons that could better protect the harbor entrance and the sea lock of Muiden, could now be put into use, no attention was paid to adapting or improving this fort. Since 1973, a sea scout group has been using the West Battery. One and a half kilometers further you will see the Muiderslot, which was built around 1285 by Count Floris V, after he took charge of the area around Muiden. In 1296 he was overpowered by his own nobles and kidnapped to his own castle. Ultimately, the count was brutally murdered during the rebels' flight. 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. You cycle for twelve kilometers and arrive at Fort Ronduit, which consists of a guardhouse and a bomb-proof barracks connected by a crane bridge and surrounded by a wet moat. This national monument was built between 1873 and 1875 on the remains of a fort that had previously stood here. It is part of the New Dutch Waterline and at this strategic location it defended the land outside the dike that stretched north of the Naarden fortress. 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 last fort you can view during the route is the fort at Ossenmarkt. A bomb-proof tower was built on the Ossenmarkt in 1859-1861 to protect the railway line between Hilversum and Amsterdam. A moat was built around it and the tower could be reached via a drawbridge.