Fort route between Culemborg and Leerdam

The New Dutch Waterline runs from Muiden to the Biesbosch. With this route you drive along a number of defenses between the rivers Lek and Linge. You also visit the picturesque towns of Culemborg and Leerdam. In the water-rich polders it is quiet cycling between the meadows and the countless waterways. Along the banks of the Lek you drive to the first fortification on the route, Fort Everdingen from 1847. Together with Fort Honswijk on the other side of the Lek, this fort hermetically closed off the high passage of the Lek dikes and the floodplains. The fort is not open to the public. Via the village of Schoonrewoerd you drive to Leerdam, which is located on the Linge. This town had a thriving wood and glass industry in the eighteenth century. The rich history can still be seen in various old buildings and the remaining city walls. Although Leerdam is also called glass city, it is best known for the cheese of the same name. Along the floodplains of the Linge you reach two more forts. The first is KunstFort Asperen, an imposing monument. In the past, the tower fortress was surrounded by a moat and could only be reached via a wooden drawbridge. If you are a history buff, you will certainly enjoy yourself here, but also if you like art. Various exhibitions and art events are organized in this historic environment. A few kilometers away is Werk on the Diefdijk railway. This fortification was built in 1880 on both sides of the Dordrecht-Elst railway. The railway cut through the Waterline and had to be protected. There were movable crane bridges in front of and behind the work. One unique example can still be viewed. The route starts and ends at Werk aan het Spoel in Culemborg, which is also part of the New Dutch Waterline. In 1815, a fortified sluice was built here in the Lekdijk to flood the area behind in case of an attack. Today there is an amphitheater in the heart of the fortress. Various cultural activities are organized on site. The Veldkeuken restaurant is located in the new wooden Forthuis. Here you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a cup of tea or coffee with cake. De Veldkeuken serves pure and organic products. The restaurant was named the Purest Restaurant in 2013 by Puur! Dining out.