Cycling across the former island of Tholen

Salty sea air in the polders
From the starting point of this route you quickly set course for the coast. Breathe in the sea scent and enjoy the view before you get to know the interior of Tholen. The first town you drive through on this route is Sint-Maartensdijk. This village is mainly known for its ties with the Oranges. The Dutch king is Lord of Sint-Maartensdijk. From here you cycle through the extensive polders to Stavenisse. You then cycle back to Sint-Maartensdijk and Scherpenisse via the north coast of Tholen. Within the dikes, Tholen is mainly an agricultural area full of polders, but these areas also have a salty sea air. In short, the sea is always close by here.

Restaurant SMAEK
Via a detour through Poortvliet and the south coast of Tholen you will arrive near Sint-Maartensdijk at the end of the route. Here you can sit down at Restaurant SMAEK for a well-deserved snack and a drink.

Salt marshes and mud flats outside the dikes
Outside the dikes of Tholen you will find extensive salt marshes and mudflats. Mudflats are tidal flats that are flooded twice a day by the tide. Salt marshes are higher-lying tidal flats that are only occasionally flooded. Sea lavender and sea aster are two plants that grow well in the salt-rich soil of salt marshes. Mudflats are a lot barer, but in the ground you will find many worms and shellfish. Birds like to use these mudflats to forage for food.