This time, too, our explorer Nynke went out in her own country. With hometown Breda, a variety of beautiful routes are up for grabs. This time she went cycling in the Biesbosch. A nature reserve that is probably underestimated by many, but after reading this article, you too will want to jump on your bike right away. For the real hard riders and KOM/QOMmetjes hunters. Rather choose a different route, as this one is more for the enjoyers. So check out this cool adventure by Nynke (and Thomas). Want to read more from Nynke? Then check. her other articles here: Achterhoek Gravel and Utrecht unpaved.
Cycling in the Biesbosch
Biesbosch National Park is a beautiful nature reserve on the border of South Holland and Brabant. Many people's first thought of this National Park will be the beaver, but the area is much more than that. It is a maze of rivers, islands and other waters. And we have good news for you: because ferries allow you to cycle right through and around the Biesbosch. A unique bike ride over and along the water with willow forests and thousands of birds.
The beaver
Back to the beaver, which is the pride of this protected nature reserve. After more than 150 years of absence, the beaver was reintroduced to the Biesbosch in 1988. And it was a success! Hundreds of beavers now live in this National Park. You won't spot them on a bike ride, as they only emerge as soon as it starts to fence.
Bird Kingdom
What you cannot ignore on a bike ride are the thousands of (water) birds that live in this area. On a beautiful spring day, you can hear them whistling happily and they are busy. The Biesbosch is the largest freshwater tidal area in Europe, which means there is ebb and flow. This makes it a sought-after breeding ground for many water birds.
By ferry across the Mark to Terheijden
It is a fantastic spring day when we get on our bikes in Breda: it is bright blue and warm. We don't need to think about clothes; it will be short-short anyway. Lovely! We leave Breda-West and cycle through Breda's north-western part towards the village of Terheijden. There we are immediately surprised. After barely ten kilometres on our counter, it turns out we have to cross the river Mark by ferry. The first departure turns out to be at 11.00 and it is only 10.40 when we arrive.
So we immediately learned today's first lesson: check ferry sailing times before departure to avoid waiting. Fortunately, the weather is lovely and before we know it, a very cute little square boat arrives. For a euro per person, a friendly man lets us board. We cross the river Mark, sail past a number of boats and then moor in the little harbour of Terheijden. A nice trip of a few minutes.
View of the Biesbosch from the Hollandsch Diep
Through several West Brabant villages and meadows, we cycle towards Drimmelen. We unfortunately skip this lovely village with its marina, but if you like to do some extra kilometres, this is highly recommended. From Drimmelen to the Moerdijkbrug, there is a cycle path over a dike that is a favourite with many cyclists: there are no traffic lights here and you have wide views over Brabant on one side and the Hollandsch Diep and the Biesbosch on the other. Sheep are grazing on and next to the cycle path and boats sail by.
Climbing over the Moerdijk bridge
Although the Moerdijk bridge is a far from idyllic spot - cars tear right past you at 100 kilometres - it is still fun to cycle across it. We climb to the top and can see for kilometres. Then we descend to the Eiland van Dordrecht. This city is connected to the mainland by bridges and therefore many people do not know that Dordrecht is on an island. But the city is surrounded by rivers; in fact, it lies in the busiest river area in Europe. You will also find the Dordrecht and Sliedrecht Biesbosch here, and let's head there!
Racing through the Dordrecht polders
The polders south of Dordrecht are ideal for hitting the gas; the roads are wide and there is almost no traffic. So we soon join a group of cyclists here, which we overtake a little later. But being overtaken by "a guy on a mountain bike" and a lady, they can't have that. And so the kilometres fly by during this game of cat and mouse. Soon the polder roads turn into narrow cycle paths and the bushes into reeds; we are approaching the Dordtse Biesbosch.
Ferry at Kop van 't Land
We continue cycling on narrow paths through reeds and over dykes. Then we pass a cosy farm with a tea garden. A perfect place for a nice lunch, we think. Unfortunately, it is not possible to safely park our bikes here, so we cycle a little further. Near the ferry at Kop van 't Land, we find Living room café Fluitekruid: the small terrace, which looks more like someone's front garden, is packed with cyclists and it looks convivial. Don't expect a fancy lunch here, but do expect a nice cup of homemade soup or a slice of apple pie. And especially on such a hot day as today, a bit of salt is hugely welcome. Then we take the ferry and it is time to really dive into the Biesbosch.
Museum
Once in the Biesbosch, we turn right towards the Biesbosch Museum. We cycle for kilometres past water, nesting birds and through polders. A lovely place because there are hardly any cars here and the roads are wide. Suddenly, we turn left into a narrow winding path. In fact, another ferry is waiting for us. The reeds, boats and nature remind us even briefly of Friesland.
Back home
And then it's time to leave the Biesbosch behind us. We cross the Bergsche Maas via the Keizersveer bridge (A27) and cycle to Geertruidenberg. This 'fortified town on the Biesbosch' has a nice historic centre as well as a ice cream parlour. Not insignificantly. The Amer power plant on the outskirts of the village is unmissable and contrasts with the history and nature. After the ice cream, we feel like going home and cycle on to Breda in one go. We enjoyed ourselves again!
The route
Our route takes you through the north of Breda to a cycle path along the Hollandsch Diep, overlooking the Biesbosch. After climbing over the Moerdijk bridge (A16), you'll reach the Eiland van Dordrecht. You then take a ferry at Kop van 't Land and cycle around the Biesbosch towards the Land of Heusden and Altena. Via the Keizersveer bridge along the A27 motorway, you descend again towards Brabant. There, the fortified town of Geertruidenberg awaits you before continuing down towards Breda via the Houtse Meer and the Vrachelse Heide.
Good to know:
- Are you cycling at a time when the ferry in Terheijden does not run? Then park your car in Terheijden and start your cycling tour from here. Or check where you can cross the Mark in Breda and make sure you cycle on the right side of the Mark. That way, you avoid the ferry.
- At the ferries at Terheijden and Kop van 't Land, you can use a pin. This is not possible at Steur ferry. Therefore take sufficient cash money with it.
- Between Kop van 't Land and Hank, there are virtually no catering establishments/shops
If you find this route too long, you can shorten it considerably after the ferry at Kop van 't Land. Instead of cycling around the Biesbosch, here you cycle in the direction of the Anna Jacominplaat and grab the ferry towards Lage Zwaluwe.
