318696 Tour of windmills and forts around Utrecht

Get to know the many beautiful things that Utrecht has to offer: a historic city center, stately forests and vast polders. The unique fort village of Blauwkapel is also on your route.

The Last of the Mohicans
Just like good wine, the old city center of Utrecht does not need a wreath. With its authentic atmosphere and many old buildings, cycling here is always an experience. You will see, among other things, Rijn en Zon, a flour mill that was built in a rural area in 1913. There were once dozens of windmills in Utrecht, Rijn en Zon is one of the two surviving windmills.

The polders of the Kromme Rijn
Outside Utrecht you drive over old dikes through the vast polders of the Kromme Rijn. You will be surprised how quiet it can be so close to Utrecht. From afar you can see the Rijn & Weert flour mill, dating from 1882, looming on the horizon. Just like the Utrechtse Heuvelrug that you cycle up a bit near Zeist. At the forest edge of the Beerschot estate you end this beautiful day in style with a meal and overnight stay at Van der Valk Hotel De Bilt - Utrecht

Blauwkapel: from village to fort
The route takes you past two forts from the New Dutch Waterline. In addition to Fort Voordorp, you also drive past Fort Blauwkapel, one of the largest forts in the waterline. The fort was built in 1821 around the village of Blauwkapel. It was only in the 1960s that Blauwkapel lost its military function, it is now a protected village sight. The fifteenth-century church Den Blauwen Capel is still in use in the village. Would you like to discover more of this beautiful region? Then get on your bike to ride routes 115155, 115158 and 115802. Or put on your walking shoes for route 318697.

Directions

#	Description	Distance
	Van der Valk Hotel De Bilt - Utrecht (De Holle Bilt, 3732 HM, De Bilt, Utrecht, The Netherlands)	0.00 km
88	88 (3732HJ, De Bilt, Utrecht, The Netherlands)	0.69 km
89	89 (Burgemeester De Withstraat, 3732EN, De Bilt, Utrecht, The Netherlands)	1.12 km
	Fort Voordorp (Fort Voordorp, 3737BK, De Bilt, Utrecht, The Netherlands)	2.95 km
90	90 (3566ML, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands)	4.54 km
	Fort Blauwkapel (3566MP, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands)	4.81 km

Pause places

Van der Valk Hotel De Bilt - Utrecht

De Holle Bilt 1
3732 HM De Bilt
http://www.biltschehoek.com

At Van der Valk Hotel De Bilt - Utrecht you have come to the right place if you are looking for an attractive place to stay. Go for a walk or cycle in the nearby De Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park or spend a day in the pleasant center of Utrecht. You can enjoy a delicious dinner in the restaurant. Or have a cup of coffee in the conservatory or on the terrace! Your day gets off to a good start with the generous breakfast buffet.

Sights

Fort Voordorp

Fort Voordorp
3737BK De Bilt
http://www.fortvoordorp.nl/

The fort was built in 1869-1870 and was surrounded by inundations. The fort defended the nearby flooding locks and culverts and was able to put out flanking fire on the Utrecht-Amersfoort railway line.

Fort Blauwkapel

3566MP Utrecht
http://www.fortblauwkapel.nl/

The current fort was built on the site of old fortifications from the 18th century and dates from 1818-1821. Fort Blauwkapel was built around an existing village.

Molen Rijn en Zon

3514CL Utrecht
http://www.allemolens.nl

This flour mill was built in 1913 and parts of the De Meyboom mill, which was demolished in that year, were used in its construction. The mill is still running on a voluntary basis.

Molen Rijn en Weert

3985AA Bunnik
http://www.allemolens.nl

Molen Rijn en Weert is a flour mill that was built in 1882. Earlier there was a mill from the 14th century for which this mill was the replacement.

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Tour of windmills and forts around Utrecht