Spijkenisse, Hellevoetsluis

Voorne-Putten is the South Holland double island between the Haringvliet, the Spui, the Old Meuse and the Brielse Meer. Two of the most prominent places on this double island are Spijkenisse and Hellevoetsluis. And let this cycle route call at both.

Spijkenisse is located across the Old Meuse. It was a modest village until the mid-twentieth century, until it started to function as a growth centre and overflow city of big brother Rotterdam. The farming and fishing village grew explosively to become the largest town on Voorne-Putten. The town clearly has an old and a new core, but it also has a rich culture. Several cultural events are organised every year, for instance.

On this route, you will find a number of Pit stops to get to know Spijkenisse better. A canal boat departs from the Oude Gemaal in Spijkenisse to explore the town from the water.

Hellevoetsluis is a fortified town on the other side of the island of Voorne-Putten. It was an important naval port for the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. When the Silver Fleet was captured from the Spanish by Dutch admiral Piet Hein in 1629, it was disembarked in Hellevoetsluis harbour. Several buildings in the town still recall those days. Like the Tromphuys, the gunpowder shed and the Ruyterhuys. The town therefore has a national protected townscape. In Hellevoetsluis, too, we selected a number of Pit stops to experience the town.