Cycling through the Utrecht peatlands and forests

Just above Utrecht, you'll cycle through an open polder landscape. You'll see several cultural-historical sights here, such as the Geesina grain mill from 1843. You'll also pass two forts from the Defence Line of Utrecht: Fort Ruigenhoek was completed in 1870, Fort De Gagel in 1820. At the Maarsseveense and Loosdrechtse Plassen lakes, you'll overlook a picturesque watery landscape. On the way to Nieuw Loosdrecht, you'll pass through several ribbon villages where you'll see beautiful, historic farmhouses. The second part of the route takes you through a completely different landscape, namely the vast forests and heathlands surrounding Hilversum. At junction 83, you'll see the Jeneverpad (Jenever Path) approaching from the left: an old smuggling route intended to evade Utrecht's gin tax. The route ends at the De Groenekan farm shop.