3 Provinces around the Volkerak

In 2020, everything is different. Day trips are hardly possible. That is why I have created a number of short rides of 2 to 3 hours that can be done as half-day rides. This is Tour ride 6.

This short route of 123 km goes through 3 provinces, namely Brabant, Zeeland, and South Holland. The route is mostly situated around the Volkerak. Mostly, but not only. Otherwise, I would make the route too short.

The Volkerak is a body of water located southeast of the South Holland island of Goeree-Overflakkee. On the eastern side of the Volkerak, you will find the Volkeraksluizen leading to the Hollands Diep; on the western side is the Krammer.

In the south of the Volkerak, the Schelde-Rijnkanaal to Antwerp begins. Further east, the Dintel and the Steenbergse Vliet flow into the Volkerak, and the Dintelse Gorzen, a large nature reserve, is located here.

After the implementation of the Delta Works, the once treacherous waters have been tamed. The name Hellegatsplein for the traffic junction near the Volkeraksluizen serves as a reminder of the past when the water here was salty and the wind and tides had free rein.

We start and stop in Dinteloord at café Havenzicht on Havenweg 19. We mostly ride along dikes, which is characteristic of this water region. Each province has its own specific nature, and you can see that when you ride over different dikes. Often, you will find mudflats and gorzen along the water. We head towards the Dintelse Gorzen and then cross over to the island of Tholen. Here, it is especially enjoyable to tour this quiet island. Various nature reserves can be found here, such as the nature reserve De Pluimpot south of St. Maartensdijk and Krabbenkreek in the north. A beautiful water-rich area with diverse flora and fauna as we ride along the Krabbenmeer towards Sint Philipsland. The Rumoirtschorren and Krabbenkreek have varied vegetation. Plants of low marshes, such as English smooth grass and sea aster are most common. In the higher areas, you can find, among others, sea kale and beach grass. Remarkably, both large and small eelgrass can be found in the creeks. We ride past the stinkhole, the Van Haaftenpolder on the left side, and on the right is Rammegors before we head towards De Krammer and turn onto the Krammersluizen. Just before this, on the eastern side, are the Slikken van de Heen. This is a beautiful piece of nature. The road transitions into the Philipsdam.

Via the Noorder Krammer, we then end up at Goeree-Overflakkee. What is now one island used to consist of various small islands. These islands were conquered piece by piece by man and nature on the water. This resulted in various islets, the outlines of which are still recognizable in the shapes of the different polders.

We ride here again along dikes towards Middelharnis and Stad aan het Haringvliet. Goeree-Overflakkee has 5 nature reserves. We are now heading towards Hellegatsplein along the Hellegatsplaten.

Once, the Hellegat was a hellish gap. Wild currents came together here, and when a storm arose, many ships would meet their end here. Now, the water of the Krammer has been tamed, and the banks have transformed into beautiful nature. The plains in the Hellegatsplaten are grazed by wild horses and cows. Impressive animals that you might encounter face to face. The two birdwatching huts in the area invite you to enjoy birdwatching. A tip for the summer months: on a calm evening, sit in the birdwatching hut De Kluut. With a bit of luck, you can see spoonbills then.

Directions to the birdwatching huts:

For the hut on the side of Ooltgensplaat, set your navigation to ‘Rietveldseweg’ (drive out of Langeweg). At the end of Rietveldseweg, turn right. Park near the stairs over the dike. Cross the dike and enter the area.

For the hut (Birdwatching hut De Kluut) opposite Ooltgensplaat, follow the parallel road from the N59 (de Bosweg). Coming from Goeree-Overflakkee, head towards ‘the other side’. Near the Hellegatsplein junction, just before you go under the viaduct, there is a parking lot. Park, cross the dike, and enjoy!

We are now almost at the end of the route and are riding over the Volkeraksluizen. These locks are an important connection for shipping between the Schelde-Rijnkanaal and the Hollands Diep.

Upon arrival in Dinteloord, you can enjoy a drink on the terrace of Havenzicht to reminisce about this ride.

Possible stopping places include: Nature reserve Het Rammegors, Slikken van de Heen, Nature reserve Plaat van de Vliet just before wind farm De Krammer. All just before and on the Philipsdam. Hellegatsplaten and Volkeraksluizen.