Ooltgensplaat - Achthuizen - round

From: Carpool parking lot N59: Langeweg 100, 3257 KD Ooltgensplaat, Netherlands
To: Departure point

Routing Recreational cycling - most beautiful, Hiking - most beautiful

The route starts at the carpool parking lot along the N59 and goes "clockwise" past Ooltgensplaat (known locally as "de Plaate") and Achthuizen.
Along the way, a number of bird watching huts can be visited on foot (The "protrusions" on the route indicate the bird watching huts.)

The first walking trip is to bird watching hut "Visarend" (Fish hawk). The walking route starts just before the tiny tunnel under the N59.
The tiny tunnel (tiny as can be) must be passed with the bicycle-handled.
After the tunnel, a little further, you will find the "Solar park Ooltgensplaat" on the right.
A little further past the solar park, the second walking trip begins; to bird watching hut "Zwartkopmeeuw" (Black-headed Gull). Then a little further in the meadow you can also see the Ooltgensplaat watchtower; that's the third walking trip.
The cycle route goes through the old village of Ooltgensplaat, where it is nice to sit at the little harbour for a while. The tour continues outside Fort Prins Frederik, along the inside of the dike along the Volkerak, where several large wind turbines are turning. We arrive at the Galathese Haven, where if necessary a terrace can be "taken" with a playground if necessary. From the Galathese Haven a wide view over the Volkerak with inland vessels that commute between Rotterdam and Antwerp/Zeeland. The tour continues through a agricultural landscape to Achthuizen, from there it is still a while until we arrive at our starting point again.

The walking trips in order (see also Website Vogelboulevard Hellegat-Ventjager, only in Dutch):
1. The first route "protrusion" is the walking route to the bird watching hut "Visarend" (Fish Hawk). From there a view over the Haringvliet. (see website Vogelkijkhut, only in Dutch)
The start of the hiking trail is just before the cyclist tunnel. There are signs pointing to the bird watching hut.
2. The second route "protrusion" is the walking route to the bird watching hut "Zwartkop meeuw" (Black-headed Gull). From there a view over the Hellegatsplaten. (see website Vogelkijkhut )
3. The third route "protrusion" is the walking route to the watchtower Ooltgensplaat. From there also a view over the Hellegatsplaten as well as the Volkerak. (see website Vogelkijkhut )
Across the street is hidden Fort Sabina. In the south Fort Prins Frederik can be seen a bit; in the distance the church tower of Steenbergen.

Parking:
1. Carpool parking lot: Langeweg 100, 3257 KD Ooltgensplaat ( Google Maps Car navigation );
Alternatives:
2. Parking lot Ooltgensplaat: Dorpsweg, 3257LB Ooltgensplaat ( Google Maps Car Navigation);
3. Parking Galathese Haven: Mariadijk 2, 3257LK Ooltgensplaat ( Google Maps Car navigation );
4. Parking "Vogelboulevard Hellegatsplaten": Volkerakdam 3258, 3258 Den Bommel ( Google Maps Car navigation ).