Free City Route

This cycle route starts at TOP Vianen-Ponthoeve.

Vianen has a surprisingly beautiful historic city center and was a Free City in the Middle Ages; a place with its own rules and a refuge for'strangers with money\\\'. In the outlying area you can enjoy walking and cycling along the Lek, through the floodplains, along the standard fruit trees. Along the way you will be surprised by the old villages of Hagestein and Everdingen. Highlights on the route are the castle location of the former Hagestein house, Fort Everdingen, the historic ribbons with authentic farms and the Stuweiland Hagestein (Ossenwaard) with the lock and weir complex.

Tip 1: De Ponthoeve pancake farm
From the restaurant of pancake farm De Ponthoeve you have a beautiful view over the river and the floodplains. You can also take a look at the viewing barn with cows on the farm.
Address: Buitenstad 69, Vianen Phone: 0347 - 37 16 27 Internet: www.ponthoeve.nl

Tip 2: Historic city center of Vianen
In the historic city center of Vianen you will see references to the rich history of Vianen everywhere, such as the street pattern, the city walls, the old town hall (1425), the striking Lek gate (15th century) and the unique mausoleum of Reinout III van Brederode, lord of Vianen, in the Grote Kerk (1542). You will also find nice shops and cozy restaurants here.
Internet: www.vianenvrijstad.nl

Tip 3: Museum wharf Vreeswijk
At the former Buitenweg shipyard in the skipper's village of Vreeswijk, you can discover the history of inland shipping at Museumwerf Vreeswijk. The banked craft shipyard is still used every day to conserve and restore historic ships. Opposite the museum is the historic harbor with ships from the past.
Address: Wierselaan 113, Nieuwegein Phone: 030 - 657 95 81 Internet: www.museumwerf.nl

Tip 4: Cheese farm Van Rossum
Kaasboerderij van Rossum is a dairy farm with cheese dairy and farm shop. In the store you will find delicious cheeses and many other regional products. In addition to farmer's cheese according to an age-old recipe, you will also find new flavours, such as fenugreek, pesto and nettle cheese. Address: Helsdingse Achterweg 20, Vianen Phone: 0347 - 37 15 80 Internet: www.kaasboerderijvanrossum.nl

Tip 5: Fort Everdingen
Tower Fort Everdingen was built from 1842-1847 as part of the New Dutch Waterline. It was closed to the public for a long time, but nowadays it houses a beer brewery and tasting room. You can now enjoy a snack and/or drink in a special setting and experience the history.
Address: Noodweg 2, Everdingen Internet: www.forteverdingen.com

Click here for an overview of all TOP\\'s
You can order a detailed route description from the tourist office .