Nature, water and cities; all in one

The Krimpenerwaard and Lopikerwaard are located in the middle of the Het Groene Hart National Landscape. Here you will find a beautiful mix of nature, rivers and historic towns. Moreover, it is wonderfully quiet in this vast polder landscape. Perfect for a nice bike ride.

The Krimpenerwaard is an ancient peat meadow area that is partly below NAP. The many meadows are separated by straight ditches and waterways. While cycling through this open landscape you will see many monumental centuries-old farms. You will also pass a number of mills, such as the Kleine Molen from 1620. This former polder mill served to drain the Bergambacht polder. Only the hull remains, it is inhabited.

You can also enjoy panoramic views in the Lopikerwaard. Occasionally there are still old coppice groves and hedgerows in the landscape. Via the characteristic towns of Polsbroek and Polsbroekerdam you drive to Oudewater, the oldest town in the Green Heart. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Oudewater was an important producer of rope. For this reason, a lot of hemp was grown in the area, which served as raw material for the rope. It earned the inhabitants the nickname yellow bellies, because the ropers wrapped yellowish dried hemp fibers around their bellies. The rope industry can still be found in the town with the Rope Museum and the hemp fields in the area.

From Oudewater you follow the course of the Hollandse IJssel to picturesque Haastrecht. In addition to the many beautiful old monuments, you will see the Polder Museum Gemaal De Hooge Boezem here. This pumping station dates from the nineteenth century and contributes to keeping the polder habitable. In the museum you will learn all about the ingenious water management in this area where most houses are located lower than the rivers. Just beyond the town you will pass the Haastrechtse Molen, a still active polder mill from 1862.