Creeks and streams route Wouw

Explore the waterways of West Brabant

In West Brabant, the landscape tells an age-old story of water. From natural streams to man-made canals and from dike breaches to clever defense lines. This cycle route takes you past places where nature, history and water meet. Get on your bike and discover the Creeks and Streams Route, here the water is literally at your feet.

You start at the recently renovated Kasteel van Wouw . The moat has been restored and has a function again: it retains water during droughts, and drains it during heavy rain. In earlier times, the castle was part of the West-Brabant Water Line, a military defense system that cleverly used water as a weapon.

The Smalle Beek , which cuts deeply through the landscape, used to supply the castle's moat with water. This stream is also part of the Schelde Delta Geopark, an area where the relationship between man and water is still visible. The stream flows into the Boomvaart , a canal that was dug in 1643 for peat extraction. Today it plays an important role in the region's drainage.

Via the Boomvaart the water flows further to the fortress moats of Steenbergen , once crucial for the defense of the city. Just outside Steenbergen lies Fort Henricus. From the watchtower of this star-shaped fort you look out over the polders, an impressive example of hydraulic engineering and history.

Then you cycle along the Roode Weel : a beautiful lake with wide reed collars, created after a dike breach. In the birdwatching hut you can enjoy nature in peace. Not far from there are the Cruijslandse Kreken , a remnant of the old tidal landscape. Nowadays they are important for water management, nature development and recreation.

After the closing of the Vliet at the Volkerak in 1822, the first lock was built at Bovensas . The current lock, from 1914, has been permanently open since the tidal movement stopped. The name'Blue Lock\\\' does not refer to the water, but to the dark blue stones from which it is built.

Roosendaal is accessible for larger ships via the Mark-Vlietkanaal , completed in 1983. The canal connects Roosendaal with Breda and now has mainly an economic and recreational function.

The Vliet has played a role in the development of Roosendaal for centuries. What started as a peat canal grew into an important waterway. Nowadays the water is used for recreation and rainwater drainage. The river starts as the Kleine Aa and flows via Roosendaal to the Volkerak.

You cycle further along De Zoom - a stream that rises on the Kalmthoutse Heide and runs via Wouwse Plantage to Bergen op Zoom. In the past it was used for peat shipping and as part of the waterline, now it is often dry in the summer.

In Roosendaal, the Watermolenbeek flows into the Burgemeester Marijnenpark. There used to be a watermill here, which has disappeared, but the street name Watermolenberg is a reminder of it. The valley of the Molenbeek is a wet area with meadows, pollard willows and alders, where drinking pools can also be found.

The route ends at the Rissebeek , which rises in the marshy area around Essen. Along the way it changes name: Hainkbeek, Kellebeek, Engebeek, but its function remains the same: draining water, connecting nature and offering recreation.

Shortened route north 34 km

For the shortened route north, from junction 07, follow junctions 09 - 64 - 63 - 57 - 82 - 81 - 78 - 43 - 42 - 76 - 66 - 65 - 69 - 90 - 80 - 08 - 07

Shortened route south 25 km

For the shortened route south, from junction 07, follow junctions 08 - 80 - 86 - 85 - 01 - 28 - 02 - 29 - 94 - 99 - 05 - 03 - 69 - 06 - 07