{"id":17822,"date":"2024-05-03T11:46:29","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T09:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=17822"},"modified":"2024-06-19T11:39:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T09:39:52","slug":"hospitable-west-zeeuws-vlaanderen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/gastvrij-west-zeeuws-vlaanderen","title":{"rendered":"A salty gravel adventure - West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen"},"content":{"rendered":"

A vast expanse lies before us. As we make long hauls along a crackling gravel path, a light breeze blows in our faces. The sun is showing itself on this spring day. This is Zeeuws-Vlaanderen at its very best. W<\/code>est Zeeuws-Vlaanderen to be precise. A piece of the Netherlands with its very own identity. This is where Zeeland and Flanders come together. A touch of burgundy, but between the arable land. Flat roads, but also cobblestones. A coastline popular with many, but where you can find the tranquillity of the hinterland, which you don't see in the Randstad. This route takes you on a salty gravel adventure, along the beautiful coastline of West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"A
Zeeland Bolus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Cobblestones are perfect for graveling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lock <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A sweet sticky Zeeland delicacy, with a name that sometimes makes you frown. The Zeeland Bolus, a beloved companion to a good cup of coffee. At Saint Paul's bakery<\/a> in Sluis, they know a thing or two about it. So if you are going to grab an extra calorie bomb, this one comes highly recommended. Not coincidentally, this is also the starting point of our route. So is there such a thing as a coincidence? I think not. Sluis is a great place for a stop anyway. With its city wall, picturesque centre and name of culinary hotspot, Sluis is the place for a stop!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"A
\u00a9Fresh Frame<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vanished Zwinhavens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The region around Bruges and Sluis was a prosperous trading metropolis in the 12th and 13th centuries. The sea link to Bruges, there were several 'Zwin ports' there. The Zwin, a nature reserve located largely in Belgium<\/a>, but also still partly in the Netherlands, is a wonderful treasure trove. Here you can go bird watching, literally drive across the border and find yourself in a beautiful UNESCO Global Geopark<\/a>. Not too bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cycling here, you meander along the water. It is occasional to dodge some other cyclists, but on the wide gravel paths this is no problem at all. A stop at the Zwin visitor centre for a pee break or a small 'apero' is highly recommended. Further on, you'll find the Boerenverdriet. Actually a three-way intersection, with a hill and a boundary post on top. A marker of 'the Boerenvedriet', with the explanation of the name nicely explained at the site of Gastvrij Zeeuws-Vlaanderen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"A
View over Het Zwin nature reserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Farmland is perfect for gravel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a peripheral city, I still sometimes made bad jokes about less densely populated areas of the Netherlands. Let's call it youthful ignorance. In recent years, I have been surprised time and again by the beauty of 'farmland'. Because fair is fair: many gravel roads or cobbled streets are originally farm roads. So there is a strong correlation between less populated areas and good gravel routes. City gravel is still a gimmick, and for the most beautiful gravel routes in the Netherlands, you will quickly find yourself in the Achterhoek, Drenthe and....West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen! Miles of two-lane gravel paths that make the average gravel enthusiast drool. In this route, too, we are spoilt for choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"gravel
If this does not invite gravelling, what does?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fortresses, churches and cobblestones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen countryside, you will find not only kilometres of gravel but also some beautiful sights. Pay extra attention to the ramparts of Retranchement, the church, the wall (and ramparts) around Sluis, the church tower of Sint Anna ter Muiden that you see in the distance. The church towers form beacons in the distance. In the past, this was a good way to get your bearings, but even now it comes in handy if you can't remember your way. It is also a nice change in the typical lowlands, which are also so characteristic of Zeeland. In the lowlands, you will also find many cobblestone streets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The lighthouse near Breskens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The tower of Sint Anna ter Muiden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Another nice crunchy path along the coast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Along the coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As sung by Zeeland band Bl\u00f8f, the Zeeland coast is truly beautiful. In this route, you take in much of this coastline, actually from Hoofdplaat, through Breskens and then all the way to Cadzand. The wind will always be a factor, but if there is a storm, you will have to scratch behind your ears. Personally, I always find water and sea magical. It is incredible to see this natural phenomenon and to think that Zeeland has such a special and sometimes dark historical relationship with water. Often deployed in wartime, but also that first February night of 1953. That's why following the coastline is a must-do. It also makes a great addition to the route!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"gravel
\"Here on the coast, the Zeeland coast\"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tips and the route itself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n