Cycle route along the Fortress Triangle
Gorinchem, Zaltbommel, Woudrichem
The Fortress Triangle consists of the fortified towns Gorinchem, Zaltbommel and Woudrichem and the fortresses Fort Vuren and Slot Loevestein. Start your cycle route from the TOP in Gorinchem. This town was declared the most beautiful fortified town of the Netherlands in 2021. In the thirteenth century, Gorinchem had developed into an important trading town through craftsmanship and its strategic location on the river Linge. Ships came to and fro to buy the merchandise on the market of Gorinchem. This success did not go unnoticed and the states of Holland and Gelre wanted Gorinchem to become part of their empire. There was a fight and finally Holland won. Everybody was happy and could live well. Until the time of the Reformation. The Catholics left the city in a hurry and the Sea Beggars took over Gorinchem at the beginning of the Eighty Years' War. The city was reinforced and optimally secured, thus the fortress came into being. Fort Vuren is hardly noticeable when you cycle past it. The tower is walled in by a high green wall that had to protect the fort against heavy artillery. In the nineteenth century, the fort was very important for the New Dutch Waterline, but it was also used later. At the end of the Second World War, it was a prison for some 500 traitors. Nowadays, the place is open to everyone and you will receive a warm welcome. Continue cycling along the water and let the cultural history sink in, while you enjoy the beautiful nature. Cycle over the bridge to the other side of the Waal and become acquainted with Fortress Zaltbommel. This city was situated on the border of Brabant and Gelre and was therefore constantly under the pressure of an erupting war. Zaltbommel was therefore strictly protected. Nobody could leave or enter the city unnoticed. Eventually, Zaltbommel was liberated from the Duchy of Gelre by Maarten van Rossum. Some call Van Rossum a plunderer and others say that he was a freedom fighter. Visit the City Castle in Zaltbommel, immerse yourself in history and form your own opinion about this man. At the place where the Waal and the Maas rivers meet, stands the most famous castle in the Netherlands, Slot Loevestein. It is no coincidence that this castle is located at this strategic point. In the Middle Ages, an enormous amount of toll was collected here. The castle was later occupied by the Spaniards and, after a fierce battle, conquered by the Sea Beggars. They built ramparts and dug a moat around the castle. Loevestein was also used as a prison and Hugo de Groot ended up here. Get off at the castle and find out how he managed to leave the prison unseen. The last stop of the Fortress Triangle is Woudrichem. This town was part of the Old and New Dutch Waterline. In the defence of the city, the river Waal was used to keep the enemy at bay. This often went well, but often the city also had to suffer from war and conquest. This is still visible in the fortress. All the places that you encounter along the way each have their own history. The participation in the first Dutch Waterline is what connects these places to this day. The waterline was not only there to defend the land, but also to control the water and prevent flooding. In all the fortress towns, you will notice that the violent past goes hand in hand with the peaceful present. Stroll around the picturesque streets and enjoy a pleasant terrace. How times can change! On the website riveer.nl you can buy a Vestingdriehoek day ticket for the ferries on the way.
| Directions | Distance | Total distance | |
|
Start: Buiten de Waterpoort , 4201 CT Gorinchem | 57.4 KM | |
|
From
50
to
23
|
727 M | 0.7 KM | |
| Head northeast on Buiten de Waterpoort | 108 M | ||
| Turn left onto Tolsteeg | 67 M | ||
| Turn right onto Molenstraat | 245 M | ||
| Turn left onto Grote Markt | 173 M | ||
| Turn right onto Krijtstraat | 134 M | ||
| You are now at section 23 | 0 M | ||
|
From
23
to
22
|
347 M | 0.3 KM | |
| Head north on Haarstraat | 292 M | ||
| Turn left onto Arkelstraat | 55 M | ||
| You are now at section 22 | 0 M | ||
|
From
22
to
50
|
673 M | 0.7 KM | |
| Head east on Walstraat | 190 M | ||
| Turn right onto Havendijk | 258 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Appeldijk | 225 M | ||
| You are now at section 50 | 0 M | ||
|
From
50
to
25
|
3878 M | 3.9 KM | |
| Head southeast on Robberstraat | 87 M | ||
| Turn left onto Kalkhaven | 59 M | ||
| Turn right to stay on Kalkhaven | 321 M | ||
| Turn right onto Dalembolwerk | 294 M | ||
| Turn right onto Dalemsedijk | 3.1 KM | ||
| You are now at section 25 | 0 M | ||
|
From
25
to
3
|
4955 M | 5 KM | |
| Head east on Waaldijk | 2 KM | ||
| Turn left to stay on Waaldijk | 3 KM | ||
| You are now at section 03 | 0 M | ||
|
From
3
to
4
|
369 M | 0.4 KM | |
| Head east on Waaldijk | 369 M | ||
| You are now at section 04 | 0 M | ||
|
From
4
to
1
|
1744 M | 1.7 KM | |
| Head southeast on Waaldijk | 817 M | ||
| Keep left onto Waaldijk | 927 M | ||
| You are now at section 01 | 0 M | ||
|
From
1
to
90
|
3788 M | 3.8 KM | |
| Head southeast on Waaldijk | 852 M | ||
| Turn left to stay on Waaldijk | 968 M | ||
| Make a slight left to stay on Waaldijk | 2 KM | ||
| You are now at section 90 | 0 M | ||
|
From
90
to
79
|
7664 M | 7.7 KM | |
| Head east on Waalbandijk | 4.9 KM | ||
| Keep left onto Waalbandijk | 518 M | ||
| Turn left onto Molenstraat | 144 M | ||
| Make a slight right onto Dreef | 409 M | ||
| Turn right onto Hertog Karelweg | 26 M | ||
| Turn right | 5 M | ||
| Turn left | 44 M | ||
| Turn left | 13 M | ||
| Turn left | 19 M | ||
| Turn right onto Bovenhof | 1.6 KM | ||
| You are now at section 79 | 0 M | ||
|
From
79
to
77
|
3251 M | 3.3 KM | |
| Head southeast on Bouwing | 954 M | ||
| Turn left onto Melssinghdreef | 707 M | ||
| Turn right onto Langstraat | 51 M | ||
| Turn left onto Kruisstraat | 91 M | ||
| Turn right onto Kortestraat | 96 M | ||
| Continue straight | 44 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Waalbandijk | 343 M | ||
| Keep right onto Waalbandijk | 965 M | ||
| You are now at section 77 | 0 M | ||
|
From
77
to
78
|
1740 M | 1.7 KM | |
| Head southeast | 1.6 KM | ||
| Turn right | 133 M | ||
| You are now at section 78 | 0 M | ||
|
From
78
to
33
|
939 M | 0.9 KM | |
| Head west on Waalbandijk | 399 M | ||
| Turn right onto Heksenwal | 166 M | ||
| Turn right onto Waalkade | 374 M | ||
| You are now at section 33 | 0 M | ||
|
From
33
to
66
|
591 M | 0.6 KM | |
| Head west on Waalkade | 59 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Molenwal | 72 M | ||
| Turn right onto Molenwal | 206 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Molengang | 182 M | ||
| Keep right onto Steenweg | 72 M | ||
| You are now at section 66 | 0 M | ||
|
From
66
to
7
|
2217 M | 2.2 KM | |
| Head west on Gamerschedijk | 2.2 KM | ||
| You are now at section 07 | 0 M | ||
|
From
7
to
8
|
1499 M | 1.5 KM | |
| Head northwest on Waalbandijk | 17 M | ||
| Make a slight left to stay on Waalbandijk | 1.5 KM | ||
| You are now at section 08 | 0 M | ||
|
From
8
to
6
|
5380 M | 5.4 KM | |
| Head north on Waalbandijk | 1.2 KM | ||
| Make a slight right | 504 M | ||
| Continue onto Waalbandijk | 3.7 KM | ||
| You are now at section 06 | 0 M | ||
|
From
6
to
5
|
2739 M | 2.7 KM | |
| Head west on Waaldijk | 2.3 KM | ||
| Turn right to stay on Waaldijk | 368 M | ||
| Turn right | 89 M | ||
| You are now at section 05 | 0 M | ||
|
From
5
to
20
|
2988 M | 3 KM | |
| Head southwest on Veerdam | 9 M | ||
| Continue onto Waaldijk | 537 M | ||
| Turn right to stay on Waaldijk | 189 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Waarddijk | 755 M | ||
| Keep left onto Waarddijk | 1.5 KM | ||
| You are now at section 20 | 0 M | ||
|
From
20
to
23
|
2185 M | 2.2 KM | |
| Head west | 286 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Wakkere Dijk | 1.9 KM | ||
| You are now at section 23 | 0 M | ||
|
From
23
to
24
|
2894 M | 2.9 KM | |
| Head northwest on Schouwendijk | 2.9 KM | ||
| You are now at section 24 | 0 M | ||
|
From
24
to
33
|
1137 M | 1.1 KM | |
| Head southwest on Schouwendijk | 633 M | ||
| Continue straight | 30 M | ||
| Take the ferry Voet-fietsveer Woudrichem | 147 M | ||
| Continue straight | 23 M | ||
| Continue straight | 304 M | ||
| You are now at section 33 | 0 M | ||
|
From
33
to
32
|
341 M | 0.3 KM | |
| Head northwest on Vissersdijk | 201 M | ||
| Turn right onto Kerkstraat | 140 M | ||
| You are now at section 32 | 0 M | ||
|
From
32
to
78
|
1837 M | 1.8 KM | |
| Head northwest on Waterpoort | 94 M | ||
| Continue straight | 431 M | ||
| Turn left onto Stadshaven | 49 M | ||
| Turn right | 594 M | ||
| Continue onto Groenendijk | 376 M | ||
| Make a slight right onto Merwededijk | 293 M | ||
| You are now at section 78 | 0 M | ||
|
From
78
to
31
|
1748 M | 1.7 KM | |
| Head west on Merwededijk | 1.7 KM | ||
| You are now at section 31 | 0 M | ||
|
From
31
to
50
|
1750 M | 1.8 KM | |
| Head north on Hoekeinde | 93 M | ||
| Keep right onto Hoekeinde | 22 M | ||
| Turn right to stay on Hoekeinde | 20 M | ||
| Take the ferry Gorinchem - Sleeuwijk | 1.6 KM | ||
| Continue slight left | 29 M | ||
| Continue straight | 9 M | ||
| You are now at section 50 | 0 M |