Straight through the beautiful Delfland

Explore Midden-Delfland with these cycle routes through truly old-fashioned Dutch nature: you can expect open water, swamp forest and reed and hay fields with rare plants in the De Vlietlanden nature reserve. What is special about this area is the fact that it has not been reclaimed, so that the peat has not settled and the area is therefore higher than the surrounding polders. The hay meadows are beautiful in spring and are full of yellow marsh marigold and purple cuckoo and cuckoo flower, but the animals also like to live in this area. About eighty pairs of blue herons, but also Egyptian geese, crested ducks, lapwings, black-tailed godwits and various birds of prey breed between the trees and in the shrubbery on the waterfront. The presence of the Northern vole, an endangered mouse species, makes the area extra special. At the core of the area lies a protected peat meadow landscape: Midden-Delfland and Oude Leede. Lively port cities and a varied route through a network of green areas and lively cities such as Vlaardingen and Schiedam form a pleasant diversity. Vlaardingen, where the tour starts at TOP Vlaardingen, is the herring city. Fishing has always been important in the history of Vlaardingen. After the Second World War, industry and other port activities also started to play an important role, but the catch of the fish, which is so well established in Dutch culture, is inextricably linked to the growth of Vlaardingen. Mill Aeolus is located near the starting point of the cycling tour in the center of Vlaardingen. The high tower mill proudly towers above the other buildings. The original mill was built in the fifteenth century, but the one you see now was built in 1790. After the Second World War, the flour mill, which now grinds on a voluntary basis in 2014, was completely restored. In 1957 he got his current name, which refers to the Greek god of the wind. In Maassluis you can visit the National Towage Museum. Here you can see all kinds of continuous and changing exhibitions about the maritime history of the Netherlands, in which the towage is the starting point. What is special is that this is the only museum in the world that deals with this subject. After almost two hours of cycling, Paviljoen't Middelpunt presents itself. Quench your thirst on the water of the Vlaardingsevaart, while enjoying the view on and over the water. Vessels can moor just like that when the skippers want to join you on the terrace and with the silent (whisper) boat you can also take a trip yourself. Canoes can also be rented for those who are more sporty and want to work their arm muscles in addition to their legs.