Fort route across Het Land van Altena

A large part of the cycle tour through the Land van Altena takes you over (car-free) dikes. Viewed from the dikes, the country appears flatter than flat. The'broad rivers\\\' that poet Marsman mentions are today the Boven-Merwede and the Afgedamde Maas. The history of the Land of Altena is one of robber barons and land grabs between the lords of Gelre, Brabant and Holland. From the terrace of De Pannenkoekenbakker Woudrichem you can spot all kinds of aquatic animals along the way, even adult beavers. When leaving Woudrichem you can see Loevestein Castle in the distance. During the Eighty Years' War, the Spanish occupier took over the castle; Later, William of Orange ordered Beggars leader Herman de Ruyter to recapture it.