Domburg, Westkapelle and Zoutelande

You leave in a westerly direction and after 10 km you arrive in the De Manteling Walcheren nature reserve, which shows you the best of what Walcheren has to offer. You will find a dune area interspersed with grassland, thickets, moist dune valleys and oak forests shaved by the sea wind. The name Manteling refers to the shelter that these dune forests provide against the sea wind. The varied character of the Manteling van Walcheren makes it an important breeding area for many bird species. The partly wooded coastal strip forms a resting and foraging area for migratory birds. A large part of the area contains fresh groundwater, which allows special plants to grow. In the Manteling van Walcheren you will find beautifully landscaped country estates that were built in the Golden Age by wealthy merchants from Middelburg. The sleek, park-like gardens form a beautiful contrast with the turbulent dunes around them. To give the cycling tour a romantic image, you will pass Westhove Castle at Oostkapeel. From the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, the castle was the property of the Middelburg abbey, after which it served as a country house for prominent Zeeland families. The weather vane with a heron dates from that period. During the Eighty Years' War it fell into the hands of the Water Beggars and a large part of the castle was lost to fire. What you can still see now are the buildings of the actual outer bailey. But regardless, it remains a beautiful and romantic image of a medieval castle. This castle is largely accessible, the former orangery now houses the Terra Maris Museum and in the garden you will find a replica of a medieval motte and bustle castle.