Alblasserwaard: discover the Donkse Laagten and the famous Kinderdijk

Are you an experienced cyclist whose heart beats faster with history? Then go for this prehistoric bike tour! This tour, which starts and ends in the Alblasserwaard, is 71 kilometers long.

The South Holland landscape you cross is formed by the powerful and unpredictable Maas and Rhine. They cut gullies, flooded the land and deposited gravel and sand. People lived here as early as 5,000 years ago and they found a way to live in this dynamic landscape.

A special feature of this area are the 'donks'. These are elevations in the landscape that enabled human habitation in this unpredictable, wetland area. These donken are actually heads of underground sand dunes.

You first cycle through the green Alblasserbos, where you can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. This is a popular place for cyclists and walkers from the area.

Continue your route to the De Donkse Laagten nature reserve, a beautiful area with extensive polders, water features and reed beds. The diversity of the birds and other animals that live in this area is striking. It is an oasis of peace where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

An absolute highlight of the route are the world-famous windmills on the Kinderdijk. These iconic windmills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer a unique insight into historic Dutch water management. Admire the beautiful architecture of the mills and learn about their role in keeping the land dry.

However, be prepared, because the windmills on the Kinderdijk attract many tourists and it can be busy on the cycle paths. Use your brakes and bicycle bell to navigate safely between the visitors.

This route starts and ends at Rotterdam Lombardijen train station. So you can easily travel to this route by public transport. You will also find several parking garages in the area.