Drinks route between the forts 33 km

Naarden, Muiden, Weesp

On this cycling route, you'll discover a unique Dutch defense system: the waterlines. As early as the 17th century, engineers figured out that you could effectively stop enemies by flooding large swaths of land, just too deep to walk, but too shallow to sail. As you cycle from terrace to café, you'll traverse a landscape once designed to defend the land, with water as its secret weapon.

You're in the midst of two impressive defense lines: the New Dutch Waterline and the Defence Line of Amsterdam. The first runs like a defensive spine through the Netherlands; the second forms a ring of forts around the capital. Both systems cleverly exploited Dutch water management: by flooding the land, it became virtually impossible for enemies to advance.

Along these lines lie forts (small military posts) and fortified towns (fortified cities with moats and walls). Some are ruins, others beautifully preserved, and nowadays often border a sunny terrace. Along the way, you'll still see the military heritage everywhere: sometimes imposing, sometimes hidden among the greenery. Many of these old defenses have since been given a completely different function.

This route shows you how ingenious, robust, and downright beautiful our history is. Sometimes the most beautiful history is simply on the way to the next loop.