Alblasserdam, Oud-Alblas, Nieuw-Lekkerland

The Kinderdijk windmills are an iconic image of the Netherlands. Located in the Alblasserwaard, the mills, together with the dykes, form a special landscape. Dating back to the 18th century, the mills were erected to protect the area from flooding. There are no less than 19 mills in Kinderdijk: eight on the Overwaard and eight on the Nederwaard. The difference in construction material of the mills between the two values is striking. The mills on the Overwaard are covered in reeds, where the mills on the Nederwaard are built of stone. All played an important role in draining and maintaining the water level in the Alblasserwaard.

During your cycle route, be sure to visit one (or both) of the Museum mills: Museum mill Nederwaard no. 2 and mill Blokweer have been set up as museums. Inside, it seems as if time has stood still. You can book tickets at the visitor centre or online to see the windmills from the inside.

The mills are still used to manage water levels in the region. Kinderdijk was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 for its cultural and historical value. Cycle along the ditches and canals of Kinderdijk further into the Alblasserwaard, one of the oldest cultivated landscapes in the Netherlands and therefore so unique. Did you know that this area is also home to many archaeological sites? Traces of human habitation from prehistoric and Roman times have been found.

Meadows with grazing cows, ditches full of water birds and on the banks the windmills turning in the wind. This is a cycle route for those who want to see typical Dutch images with their own eyes!