Along the coast around Noord-Beveland

This route around Noord-Beveland is all about water. Noord-Beveland is one of the least populated areas of the Netherlands and you can breathlessly enjoy the peace, the vastness and the views on your ride. You cross polders along the way. You cycle along Katse Plaat, on the east side of Noord-Beveland. This tidal area outside the dykes is part of the Oosterschelde National Park and part of the European network of nature areas Natura 2000. At low tide, the sandbank in the nature reserve is exposed and coastal birds come to rest and find food. The avocet feasts on mussels, shrimps and worms, and common terns, cormorants and plovers also flock to the abundance of the flat. You cycle along the north coast of the island with a view of the Werkeiland Neeltje Jans. After completing the Delta Works, the work island was transformed into a nature reserve that is part of the Oosterschelde National Park. You will find an information center with an exhibition about the Delta Works and an amusement park. You cycle past the Schotsman, a former sandbar. This nature reserve consists of forest, open terrain with (skinny) grassland, mudflats and dunes. It is known for the parnassia, orchids and sedges that you find there. Milkweed, salty rush and salty sedge grow on the salty grasslands. Countless birds live in the dunes and forests and the toad, brown frog and small newt breed in the dug pools. The airspace is made unsafe by many species of butterflies and dragonflies. The water of the Veerse Meer is brackish. Salt water is let in from the Oosterschelde, making the water saltier and creating a tidal effect. It is one of the few places in the Netherlands where you can find the Zuiderzee crab, the Trumpet lime cooker worm and the Eel bread. The lake is dotted with 13 islands and is very popular with water sports enthusiasts.