Experience
In the Dutch Water Defence Lines area, there are many walking, cycling and boating routes. Short rounds and also multi-day trips. Something for everyone.
Erleben
By getting out and about in the Dutch Water Defence Lines, you really experience the landscape and find out how beautiful and versatile it is. Make your exploration a sporting one, with our hiking, cycling or boating routes, or take part in one of the (mainly Dutch-speaking) activities.
For the routes, please refer to the Dutch-language part of the website. You can use the translation button in the browser bar to translate the route descriptions. Maps and GPX files of most routes can also be downloaded.
Long-distance routes
Explore the Dutch Water Defence Lines with the LF Waterline route and the LAW Waterline path! With the LF Waterline route, you can follow the entire route of the Dutch Water Defence Lines and the Zuiderwaterlinie between Edam and Bergen op Zoom by bike along inundation channels, batteries, line dikes, forts and fortified towns. The LAW Waterline path allows you to walk 350 kilometres from Edam to Dordrecht with a route steeped in history, World Heritage Site and nature. The routes are in Dutch, use the translation button in the browser bar to view the routes in another language. A map and a GPX file of both routes are also available.
Cycling
Hop on your bike and explore the vast, green and characteristic military landscape of the Dutch Water Defence Lines. Everywhere in the large area you can find a pleasant cycling route. Explore beautiful forts, castles and fortified towns and enjoy the beautiful areas full of water and natural beauty along the way.
Jump on the bike
Walking
The walking routes in the Dutch Water Defence Lines are diverse: from short rounds to sporty tours and treasure trails for children. Let yourself be surprised in this beautiful area where peace and quiet reign supreme. Admire the sturdy structures you encounter along the way, such as bunkers, forts and locks, or enjoy a terrace at one of the historical locations.
Set off on foot
By boat
What better way to explore a World Heritage Site in which water plays such an important role than from a boat or canoe? At various places in the Dutch Water Defence Lines you will find beautiful sailing routes, for example along rivers that once provided the supply of inundation water. Along the way, you will also encounter beautiful forts, fortified towns, locks and other waterline heritage.
Cruise through the water lines
Agenda
With 96 forts, 6 fortresses and 2 castles, there is something to do every day in the Dutch Water Defence Lines, The various locations organise all kinds of activities, such as treasure hunts, tours, theatre, music, dance, good food and much more. For the agenda, please refer to the Dutch-language part of the website. Use the translation button in the browser bar to view the activities in another language.
To the agenda