Round Alblasserwaard

This is tour ride 8 in the series of half-day / short tours 2020.

This short route of 100 km is mapped out in the Alblasserwaard. The route starts in Gorichem on the Nieuwe Wolpherensedijk at the Avelingen Carpool right next to the A27, exit 24 Avelingen.

The Alblasserwaard is characterized by its vast views and water-rich polders. The route passes through the fortified town of Nieuwpoort, which is certainly worth a visit.

To the north, the Alblasserwaard is bounded by the river Lek, to the south by the river Merwede (Upper Merwede and Lower Merwede), and to the west by the river Noord. To the east, the Oude Zederik (dug in 1370 between Ameide and Meerkerk), the Merwedekanaal (an excavation of the Zederikkanal, which was an excavation of the river Zederik), and the Linge form the border with the Vijfheerenlanden. The last section of the Linge, near Gorinchem, marks the border with the Tielerwaard.

Only after the completion of the Oude Zederik was the area completely surrounded by waterways and thus became a waard. Shortly thereafter, the name 'Alblasserwaard' came into use, derived from the stream the Alblas. Before that, most of the area was referred to as the 'Land between Lek and Merwede'.