Explore the surroundings of Stolwijk

Space, tranquility and cultural history in a man-made polder landscape: what more could you want as a cyclist? This route takes you through the Krimpenerwaard, which lies between the rivers Lek, Hollandse IJssel and Vlist. Here you see many meadows separated by straight ditches. It is wonderful to cycle here with wide views and beautiful monumental farms.

After kicking off your legs, you cross the Hollandse IJssel via a ferry. Originally this river was a side arm of the Lek. In the thirteenth century, the Hollandse IJssel was dammed to make the reclamation of the Dutch peat area easier. During the flood disaster in 1953, a hole of fourteen meters was created in the IJsseldijk near Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel. This hole was closed with an eighteen-metre-long inland vessel, which prevented a large part of South Holland from being flooded.

You follow the course of the river, cycling through Hitland, a varied nature reserve with various forests, bird-rich peat meadows, marshes and natural water. You drive past Windlust, a restored windmill that was originally built around 1780 and is now a national monument. You cross the river to Krimpen aan den IJssel via the Algera bridge. Here you have a beautiful view of the Hollandse IJssel Storm Surge Barrier, which was completed in 1958 as part of the Delta Works. This storm surge barrier is still closed several times a year.

You drive back into the Krimpenerwaard through the water-rich forests above Krimpen aan de Lek. In this low-lying peat meadow area you pass through characteristic towns such as Berkenwoude, Benedenheul and Benedenkerk. The last two hamlets are one and a half meters below NAP!