Watchtower in the Cape Forests

Hendrik Swellengrebel, who later lived in Doorn, was governor of the Dutch Cape Colony from 1739 to 1751. The Cape Forests, northeast of Doorn, were named by the family in the middle of the 18th century after the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. At the end of the 19th century, Mr. C.G. van der Lee, the then owner of the extensive forest plot, had a wooden watchtower built. The tower, whose concrete foundations are still visible, is located half a kilometer south of the current tower. This watchtower, renovated in 2006, stands on top of a hill of 45 meters. After more than a hundred steps, the 25 meter high steel tower De Kaap offers a great view. The Utrechtse Heuvelrug is located at your feet from the Koerheuvel in Rhenen to Zeist. In clear weather, the Dom in Utrecht, the high-rise buildings south of Utrecht, the Lange Jan in the north of Amersfoort and the Rhine in the south are easy to recognize. Even the Martinus Nijhoff bridge near Zaltbommel, 26 kilometres to the south as the crow flies, can sometimes be seen.

About 200 meters west of the watchtower is the Doornse Kei. See relevant Landmark.

Rieno ✅ Routes