From city to nature (from Dordrecht to the Biesbosch)

Dordrecht, also known as'Dordt\\\', is first mentioned in a text from the twelfth century. Then the city, which received city rights in 1220, was still called Thuredrech. When you cycle through the city, this rich past will undoubtedly still speak to you through the many old buildings.'Thuredrech\\\' developed into one of the six largest and most important trading cities in the Netherlands, but later this importance declined.

Still, with almost 120,000 inhabitants, Dordrecht is the fourth largest city in the province of South Holland. Three rivers meander around the city that converge just outside the city limits: the Beneden-Merwede, the Noord and the Oude Maas. There is a lot of traffic on the water; it is the busiest water hub in Europe, due to the location of Rotterdam.

The Biesbosch is also beautiful and rich in water, but of a completely different caliber than Dordrecht. A number of river islands and sand and mud flats lie between the rivers Boven-Merwede and Amer. It is wonderful to cycle between the many creeks and tidal willow forests, which are used recreationally, but also serve as water storage where drinking water is prepared. When you explore this area by bike, you will find colorful banks where purple loosestrife, white valerian and yellow bogweed await. Giant balsam spreads a wonderfully sweet scent in the area and farmers hay their land in the polders. Along the way you see ducklings, grebes and coots floating on the water, in which herons find their food. They are joined in the air by the buzzard and the harrier who are looking for voles. The lucky nature lover also sees a pair of sea eagles on the hunt. Special viewing huts have been built for bird lovers. But the population of otters and beavers is also growing in the Biesbosch.