Old Zuilen, lakes and estates from Utrecht

Via the charming Oud-Zuilen with the castle of the same name, you drive out of the city, along the Vecht. In contrast to other lakes in this region, the Maarsseveense Plassen were not formed by peat extraction, but by the excavation of sand for the construction of a new residential area. Nevertheless, you will also see plenty of nature here. In the Ruigenhoek recreation area, you can not only enjoy the varied natural beauty, but you can also admire the eponymous fort from 1870. You pass Landgoed Oostbroek, a former abbey and manor. You also drive past Fort Rijnauwen, with 32 hectares the largest fortress from the New Dutch Waterline. The fort was built at the end of the nineteenth century. Nowadays, the fort and the surrounding area serve as a nature reserve.