Along the Linge between Leerdam and Geldermalsen

In the Gelderse Rivierenland you can enjoy cycling along the Linge. The route runs along both sides of the river between Leerdam and Geldermalsen and along Beesd. The area is known for fairytale orchards and picturesque dike villages. In April and May the fruit trees are in bloom and the blossom has a soothing effect on the environment.

The Fort at the Nieuwe Steeg / Geofort is a fortress island of 3.5 hectares. At first glance it is just a rolling grass landscape, but it used to be part of the New Dutch Waterline. The fort now houses a theme park in the field of cartography and navigation. You can experiment with various geotechniques indoors and outdoors. You become disoriented in the dark underground corridor. You will be challenged in the maze and become fascinated by maps in the barracks. Children can search in the bat detective garden of Staatsbosbeheer. An adventure for young and old!

When you arrive in Leerdam, you will see the Ter Leede see-saw mill, which functioned well until the upper axle broke in 1940. The mill was threatened with demolition, but the adjacent glass factory bought it. In 1982, the municipality of Leerdam took over the mill from the glass factory to restore it. At the completion of the 1985 restoration, the mill was given the name Ter Leede, which is the original name of Leerdam.

Once you have cycled fourteen kilometers, KunstFort Asperen will appear, an El Dorado for art and history lovers. This tower fortress was surrounded by a moat and could only be reached via a wooden drawbridge. The fort is part of the New Dutch Waterline and is an imposing monument. This fort is the first 'art fort' in the Netherlands; Cultural events and exhibitions have been organized annually since 1981.

We set course for Geldermalsen and in a river basin we pass the Mariënwaerdt estate, a private property of over 900 hectares for many generations. The name means the island (host) of Mary. In 1129, a Norbertine abbey was founded on this site, which was plundered, destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 1734 the estate was purchased by the ancestor of the current owners. He built the House Mariënwaerdt on the vaults of the former abbey. There are now three country houses and seventeen farms on the estate. Mariënwaerdt has 40 national monuments, including fourteen monumental homesteads and many haystacks and flood barns.

Landgoed Noordenhoek is located on the other side of the water, north of Deil. In earlier times the village had seven castles or fortified houses. The old Noordenhoek house was demolished in 1898 and rebuilt in neo-Renaissance style. The area of the Noordenhoek Estate covers 60 hectares and 40 hectares of land is leased on the other side of the Linge and in the Deil field. French Blonde d'Aquitaine beef cows are bred there. The estate can be reached on foot from the Koningsweg. The path leads past centuries-old hawthorn hedges, 50 to 100 year old apple and pear trees and ancient pollard willows.

You cycle further to Molen De Vlinder, which was built in 1913. It is a round brick flour mill of the scaffolding type. The blade shape is Old Dutch and the flight is 20 meters. The flight is set on the wind with the help of a porter. The mill burned down in 1931 and has since been repaired and restored several times. It is still used for grinding grain.