Mammals on Goeree
Ouddorp, Stellendam, Havenhoofd
Believe it or not - Goeree is one of the best places outside the Wadden area to observe seals. In fact, more than eleven hundred have been counted in a single day on sandbar ‘De Aardappelenbult’! That plate, aka ‘The bulbs of the Ooster’, lies between Goeree and the Zeeland island of Schouwen. In this part of the sea, also known as the ‘Voordelta’, special rules apply to protect marine life. For instance, professional fishermen are only allowed to operate here under strict restrictions, which benefits seals, among others. The nice thing is that both Dutch seal species are found here: the common and the grey. The latter is somewhat rarer, but still regularly observed. Not to mention the Kwade Hoek, where you can occasionally approach the seals on the beach from a few metres away. Sometimes it is one that seeks a quiet spot to die. Don't be alarmed, it's part of nature's game. You can call the seal shelter, but remember that such a dead animal is food for all sorts of other life forms again. And you are likely to find plenty of live ones. The whole coastline, so between Kwade Hoek and that Aardapelenbult, is something of a showcase for seals. But there is more to this island than just seals. There are lots of different landscapes up for grabs here, which this cycle tour purposefully crosses. Each type of landscape has its own species of mammals, although barren areas with little vegetation have less to offer. After all, most animals like to hide when danger threatens. The advantage of more open areas, however, is that you can usually spot a rabbit, fox or deer quite quickly. Goeree is pretty good at mice. In fact, one such mouse species can be considered a speciality of the islands of South Holland and Zeeland. Namely, the root vole has a unique, Dutch subspecies. It is found in five areas in our country, including the Delta region. It didn't need bridges or locks to get to the islands, as the creature is not afraid of water and swims across a fair bit of salt or fresh with ease. Too bad you won't see it so soon, though. In the hay fields, roadsides, reeds and marshlands where it occurs, they can easily hide. But of course, you never know. Our route runs through the entire northern dune strip and it has plenty of hidden mouse spots. Even in the West Dunes, special because they are inland, you have a chance. Don't grieve if you miss the Northern vole. There are plenty of other mammals to be found, even if the seal doesn't give home. Of our list of eight species of animals, you should be able to get half of them in the picture, at least if you are not racing through everything at full speed. In all cases, a little luck never hurt anyone. This premium cycling route was compiled by our editor Matthijs Termeer.
| Directions | Distance | Total distance | |
|
Start: Langedijk , 3253 TX Ouddorp | 43.2 KM | |
|
From
54
to
69
|
2326 M | 2.3 KM | |
| Head southwest on Flaauwe Werkweg | 745 M | ||
| Turn right onto Noordweg | 7 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Nieuwenoordseweg | 505 M | ||
| Turn right onto Groenedijk | 1.1 KM | ||
| You are now at section 69 | 0 M | ||
|
From
69
to
51
|
4232 M | 4.2 KM | |
| Head southwest on Groenedijk | 982 M | ||
| Make a slight right onto Weg naar Vuurtorenvallei | 420 M | ||
| Turn right onto Vrijheidsweg | 126 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto West Nieuwlandseweg | 745 M | ||
| Turn right | 24 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Fietspad Springertpolder | 876 M | ||
| Continue straight | 152 M | ||
| Turn right onto Oudelandseweg | 907 M | ||
| You are now at section 51 | 0 M | ||
|
From
51
to
52
|
3100 M | 3.1 KM | |
| Head east | 110 M | ||
| Turn left | 997 M | ||
| Continue onto De Punt | 723 M | ||
| Continue straight | 23 M | ||
| Make a slight right onto Blomweg | 1.2 KM | ||
| You are now at section 52 | 0 M | ||
|
From
52
to
70
|
763 M | 0.8 KM | |
| Head north on Blomweg | 260 M | ||
| Turn left onto Oudelandseweg | 503 M | ||
| You are now at section 70 | 0 M | ||
|
From
70
to
53
|
2367 M | 2.4 KM | |
| Head west on Westduinweg | 2 KM | ||
| Turn right onto Klarebeekweg | 128 M | ||
| Turn left onto Langedijk | 208 M | ||
| You are now at section 53 | 0 M | ||
|
From
53
to
57
|
4315 M | 4.3 KM | |
| Head east on Klepperweg | 940 M | ||
| Turn right onto Dijkstelweg | 592 M | ||
| Turn left onto Stelleweg | 914 M | ||
| Turn right onto Kelderweg | 983 M | ||
| Turn left onto Dorpsweg | 473 M | ||
| Turn right onto Dorpsweg | 115 M | ||
| Turn left onto Weststraat | 175 M | ||
| Turn right onto Raadhuisstraat | 43 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Stationsweg | 80 M | ||
| You are now at section 57 | 0 M | ||
|
From
57
to
56
|
1446 M | 1.4 KM | |
| Head northwest on Broekweg | 204 M | ||
| Make a slight right onto Hofdijksweg | 159 M | ||
| Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Hoge Pad | 27 M | ||
| Exit the roundabout onto Hoge Pad | 779 M | ||
| Turn right | 16 M | ||
| Make a slight right onto Prins Hendrikweg | 83 M | ||
| Turn left to stay on Prins Hendrikweg | 106 M | ||
| Turn right to stay on Prins Hendrikweg | 72 M | ||
| You are now at section 56 | 0 M | ||
|
From
56
to
67
|
1751 M | 1.8 KM | |
| Head east on Prins Hendrikweg | 102 M | ||
| Continue straight | 353 M | ||
| Turn left onto Oostdijkseweg | 1.3 KM | ||
| You are now at section 67 | 0 M | ||
|
From
67
to
68
|
477 M | 0.5 KM | |
| Head southeast on Hondsweg | 267 M | ||
| Turn right onto Hofdijksweg | 210 M | ||
| You are now at section 68 | 0 M | ||
|
From
68
to
59
|
2572 M | 2.6 KM | |
| Head southwest on Hofdijksweg | 832 M | ||
| Turn left onto De Kruse | 1.7 KM | ||
| You are now at section 59 | 0 M | ||
|
From
59
to
41
|
2377 M | 2.4 KM | |
| Head east on Zuidweg | 1.1 KM | ||
| Make a slight right onto Oude Westerloosedijk | 279 M | ||
| Make a slight left to stay on Oude Westerloosedijk | 237 M | ||
| Turn right onto Korteweegje | 159 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Kleine Zuidpoldersedijk | 367 M | ||
| Make a slight left to stay on Kleine Zuidpoldersedijk | 256 M | ||
| You are now at section 41 | 0 M | ||
|
From
41
to
60
|
869 M | 0.9 KM | |
| Head northeast on Nieuwe Westerloosedijk | 516 M | ||
| Turn right onto Oude Dijk | 346 M | ||
| Continue straight | 7 M | ||
| You are now at section 60 | 0 M | ||
|
From
60
to
66
|
2338 M | 2.3 KM | |
| Head southeast on Damweg | 1.4 KM | ||
| Continue straight | 23 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Damweg | 857 M | ||
| Turn right to stay on Damweg | 25 M | ||
| You are now at section 66 | 0 M | ||
|
From
66
to
65
|
1059 M | 1.1 KM | |
| Head northeast | 145 M | ||
| Make a slight right onto Voorstraat | 914 M | ||
| You are now at section 65 | 0 M | ||
|
From
65
to
64
|
2259 M | 2.3 KM | |
| Head northwest on Eendrachtsweg | 356 M | ||
| Turn right to stay on Eendrachtsweg | 47 M | ||
| Turn right onto Zuiderdiepstraatweg | 1.3 KM | ||
| Continue straight | 222 M | ||
| Continue onto Zuiderdiepstraatweg | 286 M | ||
| Turn left | 22 M | ||
| Turn left | 25 M | ||
| Turn left | 22 M | ||
| You are now at section 64 | 0 M | ||
|
From
64
to
62
|
3115 M | 3.1 KM | |
| Head southwest on Meester Snijderweg | 2.2 KM | ||
| Continue onto Haveneind | 361 M | ||
| Turn right onto Duinroosplein | 512 M | ||
| You are now at section 62 | 0 M | ||
|
From
62
to
63
|
1505 M | 1.5 KM | |
| Head northwest on Stellingweg | 1.3 KM | ||
| Turn right onto Het Plaatje | 251 M | ||
| You are now at section 63 | 0 M | ||
|
From
63
to
55
|
3941 M | 3.9 KM | |
| Head north on Middelduinpad | 3.9 KM | ||
| You are now at section 55 | 0 M | ||
|
From
55
to
54
|
2437 M | 2.4 KM | |
| Head west on Middelduinpad | 1 KM | ||
| Turn right onto Westerduinpad | 1.4 KM | ||
| Keep right onto Flaauwe Werkweg | 14 M | ||
| Make a slight left onto Langedijk | 7 M | ||
| You are now at section 54 | 0 M |