Krimpen aan de Lek, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Ouderkerk aan den IJssel

The Krimpenerwaard is known for its large amount of water. This unique river landscape has beautiful polders where many cows graze contentedly. From above, this area is a green patchwork quilt and even when you cycle through it, you are met with different shades of green. You will cycle through cosy villages that are barely a street wide.

You will pass through Berkenwoude, a village that was founded around 1300 during the reclamation of the low marsh forest in the Krimpenerwaard. For a long time it was part of the municipality of Krimpenerwaard, but in 1812 it became its own municipality. During the Second World War, the polders around Berkenwoude were an important hiding place and the Allies used the area to send weapons by parachute.

You cycle along the water from Krimpen aan de Lek to Krimpen aan de IJssel via the dyke. The Algerabrug looms up in the landscape. Less than a year after the North Sea Flood, construction began on this enormous storm surge barrier, designed to keep out violently rising waters.

Before starting this route, you can park near junction 19, at the Berkenwoudse Driehoek nature reserve.