Cycling in South Beveland

This fun cycling route in Zuid-Beveland (Zeeland) leads you through a lovely, atmospheric landscape full of winding creeks with sloping banks and beautiful reed beds. In the swampy, rural area you cycle past characteristic farms and through fields and orchards. The periods of struggle against the water - the reclaiming of land versus the floods, resulted in the construction of many dikes around the polders. The area has never been densely populated, which means that Zuid-Beveland has an unprecedented tranquility. Fort Ellewoutsdijk and various windmills deserve special attention on this beautiful route. The route starts at Bed en Broodje Bonifacius, where you get on your bike after a delicious breakfast and set course for the Koutermolen. This former flour mill in Hoedekenskerke was built in 1874. Connoisseurs will see that this is a ground sailer; the blades of the mill almost touch the ground. The mill grinded grain professionally until 1964, but when it fell into disrepair, the mill was partly dismantled and converted into a holiday home. You will then pass Fort Ellewoutsdijk, a beautiful hexagonal fortress that is still completely intact. This historic defense structure dates from 1839. The fort was built after the Netherlands separated from Belgium to prevent ships from sailing to Antwerp. In addition, it protected the naval base and trading city of Vlissingen. Because of the special ecological value of the area around the fort, Natuurmonumenten bought it. In Heinkenszand is the beautiful tower mill De Vijf Gebroeders. Along a meadow, this round, brick-built mill towers high above the other buildings. The corn mill was built when another mill burned down due to lightning elsewhere in the village. It remained in operation until the early 1960s, but then fell into disrepair. After a few restorations, during which the mill was restored so that it could run, De Vijf Gebroeders has remained out of business. The mill is open to visitors on Saturdays. Finally, you will pass the remains of the De Hoop windmill (hull/remainder) in the same town. Until 1947, the old tower mill operated on wind power for farmers and bakers from the area. Then a mechanical drive was installed that made the mill grind. Gradually the mill fell into disrepair and less and less of it remained. In 1960 the scaffolding and tail were removed, ten years later it fled. The mill hull has been inhabited since 2001.