To Fort Ellewoutsdijk

This Zeeland route takes you through the picturesque landscape of Zuid-Beveland with its many dikes and hawthorn hedges to the Western Scheldt, where you pass Fort Ellewoutsdijk. Along the way you can enjoy the many places and hamlets you cycle through: Ovezande, Driewegen, Ellewoutsdijk, Oudelande, Baarland and Kwadendamme. The route starts at B&B Buitenhuis De Weeltjes. The house is beautifully situated on a lake in a nature reserve. It is therefore a wonderful base for cycling routes. Do you want to discover more of the Zeeland landscape from De Weeltjes? Those who opt for an overnight stay can get back on the pedals the next day with route 147811, which also starts from this point. On this route you cycle through the beautiful area known as the Zak van Zuid-Beveland, one of the oldest polder landscapes in the Netherlands. You can enjoy uneven pool grounds, narrow dikes and sloping creek ridges by bike. The system of meandering dykes was created from the 12th century as a result of the centuries-long struggle against the water and forms a beautiful patchwork in the landscape. The Zak van Zuid-Beveland has the status of Valuable Cultural Landscape and is part of the Southwest Zeeland National Landscape. Fort Ellewoutsdijk was built in 1839. It had to secure access to the port of Antwerp across the Western Scheldt. The hexagonal fortress was surrounded by a moat. Bombproof areas had been built into the walls, topped by an earthen parapet with cannons. 500 men could be stationed. In World War II, the Germans used it as a prison. The fortification is still intact and is managed by Natuurmonumenten. Black redstarts and barn swallows breed on the fort. On top of the dike you will find a bird viewpoint with a beautiful view over the Western Scheldt.