Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Zeist

Cycle through Zeist and discover everything about how water was used in the past and is used today. You will discover how water has contributed to prosperity and recreation, but also how it has caused problems and what solutions have been devised for this.

Start your cycle tour at TOP Station Driebergen-Zeist. Here you will find ample parking space, restaurants and public transport. From here, cycle in the direction of Zeist. You will soon arrive at Bezoekerscentrum de Boswerf. De Boswerf is located in the Zeisterbos, one of the oldest forests on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, and is a centre for nature experience. All kinds of activities are organised for young and old. De Boswerf has a small, cosy restaurant and a play forest. Fill your bottle of water here for the road!

If you continue the route from the Boswerf, you come to a spreng: De Koekenpan. If you look over the head of the spreng at the bank, it becomes clear why this place was called De Koekenpan. The Zeisterbos forest was originally part of the Beek en Royen country estate. The associated water feature began at a natural water source, a sprengkop. This is where groundwater (seepage water) bubbled up from the Utrecht Hill Ridge. There used to be several springs on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. As the groundwater level has fallen, most of the springs have dried up.

After the Boswerf, you cycle past Zeist's water tower dating from 1886. The tower is 37.5 metres high and is a national monument, as it is one of the few remaining water towers from the 19th century. You will also pass by the De Waterbron water extraction park, the sewage treatment plant, the fish passage and the Koppelsluis lock. The cherry on the cake is of course Slot Zeist. Once the pleasure grounds of Willem Adriaan, Count of Nassau-Odijk and grandson of Prince Maurits. Slot Zeist breathes history and is surrounded by beautiful English gardens where you can walk and picnic.

On this cycle route, you cycle between cycle junctions 11, 10 and 84 over a stretch of unpaved cycle path.