Fietsroutes op Schouwen-Duiveland – vanuit Landal Resort Haamstede

Wie aan fietsen in Zeeland denkt, zal bijna automatisch denk aan de Deltawerken. Het ‘piece de resistance’ van het Nederlandse watermanagement. Na de watersnoodramp van 1953 is de bouw van dit imposante systeem begonnen. Neeltje Jans is dé naam die iedereen heeft geleerd op de basisschool. Tenminste, daar ga ik maar van uit. De Oosterscheldekering is een indrukwekkende installatie, in totaal bijna 10 kilometer lang. In het midden vind je Neeltje Jans. Die Oosterscheldekering is elk jaar weer het decor van het NK tegenwind fietsen. Het geeft je een idee van de omstandigheden hier. Aan de noordkant van de kering vind je het pittoreske Burgh-Haamstede. We zijn daar aanbeland voor onze 12 maanden – 12 provincies – 12 parken serie in samenwerking met Landal. Dit keer in het Landal resort Haamstede. We have created some more beautiful cycling routes!

Read also:

• Landal Natuurdorp Suyderoogh: ideaal om de Waddenkust te verkennen
• Op fietsavontuur vanuit Landal Waterparc Veluwemeer in Flevoland

Always that same wind

One thing is certain. If you go cycling in Zeeland, you will have to contend with the wind. On one day it will be a little windy, on the other day it will be more windy. After all, you are on the coast, so it will never be completely windless. On our first day, we immediately put on our rubber boots and start riding the Oosterscheldekering. It is a magnificent sight and a wonderful route to cycle. You have a wide path, there is plenty of other cyclists, but especially in the early hours, with the rising sun, it is a unique sight. We head towards Noord-Beveland, on the other side of the Oosterscheldekering. From there, we make a nice loop around the Schelde. A stretch along the water's edge, then back into the countryside. There is relatively little traffic here and a good overview of the paths. 

Zeelandbrug back

If you follow the route, you will eventually reach the Zeeland Bridge, which is another beautiful piece of engineering. The Zeeland Bridge is less inviting as a bicycle bridge. A narrow two-way cycle path runs along the edge of the bridge. Every time I cross it, I think to myself: anything can happen and I can get a free swimming lesson. You drive for kilometers with only water on both sides. In the distance you can see the tower of Zierikzee. A nice town with a typical old harbor and similar houses. Nice for a stop on a longer trip. After that, it goes back along the dike towards Burgh-Haamstede. A nice route to start our stay with!

About the farmers' roads of Schouwen-Duiveland

Burgh-Haamstede is located on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. Together with Noord-Beveland, Walcheren, Zuid-Beveland, Tholen and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, this forms the province of Zeeland. On the island of Schouwen-Duiveland you will find not only Zierikzee, but also the popular seaside resort of Renesse and Brouwershaven. In between lies a vast landscape with farm fields, nature reserves and, here and there, a small village. With names like Scharendijke, Kerkwerve and Dreischor, I always wonder where these come from. Anyway, the names in Zeeland always seem to end in an ‘e’. It’s not a ‘kerk’ but a ’kerke‘. Not Scharendijk, but Scharendijke. Just as it’s not Ijzendijk, but ’iezendieke’. Ede with a double ee…that’s just ridiculous to me. 

Choice from almost all the islands

Another route we ride covers the west of Schouwen-Duiveland and goes via the Grevelingendam to the South Holland region of Goeree-Overflakkee. Here we pass the holiday village of Ouddorp and then cycle back through the dune landscape. A beautiful route of almost 55 kilometers takes us to the highlights of two provinces. On the Grevelingendam, kite surfing is very popular. So here too you have to deal with wind. The cycling path, however, is very well maintained. About halfway up the dam, you cross from South Holland to Zeeland (and vice versa). 

North Beveland, South Beveland and Walcheren

If you really want to challenge yourself, start from Burgh-Haamstede and head for Lake Veersche. You will then go through Veere and literally follow the flow of the lake. You will also pass the water disaster monument ‘waves, dyke and hand’. Always impressive and good to remember that in February 1953 almost 2000 people lost their lives due to the rising water. You then turn back along the sandlock towards Noord-Beveland and you can choose to drive through this island to Neeltje Jans or take the Zeeland Bridge. Tip: The Municipality of Noord-Beveland was recently voted the best cycling municipality of the year!

Endless possibilities

In a week we drive along a number of different routes. Short trips of 30km but also longer ones. We have been to the area before and even then we could enjoy the beautiful Zeeland countryside. If you go for long days on the bike, you can set off on trips of 100+ kilometers and still discover new places every time. So enjoy it. I was with my family and together you can also enjoy a lovely bike trip. There are several bike rental options, also on the park itself. We rented a cargo bike and headed towards the beach and the surrounding villages. That way you can really discover the area in a low-threshold way. Cool, right?.

Accommodation

We are staying in a very spacious 6-person villa on Landal Resort Haamstede. This is part of a trio of Landal Parks that share a number of facilities. Of course, there is a bread service, a restaurant and a bar. In the restaurant you will also find the indoor playground and bowling alley, plus mini golf. The latter three are all for a fee. You can also play tennis or padel here. It all looks well organized.

The house we have is really spacious. We have been able to stay in several 6-person accommodations and this one tops them all. There is an internal storage room (where you can easily store 4-5 bikes), the living space is large, with a lovely sofa and a good long table. Upstairs you find three large bedrooms and two bathrooms. Pure luxury, so to speak. A seating area outside makes it complete. 

Tips nearby:

• In Burgh-Haamstede (it’s actually two villages), you have a lovely pancake restaurant. Pancake mill de Graanhalm It’s called that. Cheap, fast and good quality. They have one specialty though: pancakes, so if you don’t like that, then it’s no good.
• Bakker Sonnemans In the village there is still one who makes boluses in the ‘grandmothers’ way’. So it’s highly recommended, because Zeeland without boluses is not Zeeland.
• The ice cream parlor in the village is special. It’s a ‘one-man-show’, but one that churns out ice cream cones, soft drinks, smoothies, coffee and I don’t know what else works out of it. Delicious after a long summer ride. 
• If you go over the bridge at Neetlje Jans, you can stop in Oostkapelle at the Warehouse area. Delicious baksel, super delicious coffee, and if you take that into account with your family, you won't have any complaints about long trips or the time you're not there.
• Do you want to rent a bike? You can do so at the park itself, where children's bicycles, city bikes and e-bikes are for rent. Are you looking for a sporty bike or do you have a pushchair? Then go to Bicycle total Jan de Jonghe. They rent out everything. Just keep in mind that you’re in Zeeland, so the hut is closed on Sundays. 
• Are you going to the beach for a day? Then choose the beach at Westenschouwen. The beach tent Sand and Pepper is truly sublime (in terms of food as well as service) and the beach with a view of the creek is impressive. If you want to have lunch at Sand and Pepper, If you are planning a trip to this area, then booking is recommended. Popular with many people, so!

Cycling routes at Landal Resort Haamstede

Next stop: South Holland!