Hugo de Groot Pad, stage 1: Loevestein - Gorinchem

PLEASE NOTE: LOEVESTEIN CASTLE IS NOT ALWAYS OPEN OUTSIDE THE HIGH SEASON, AND IF LOEVESTEIN IS NOT OPEN, THERE IS USUALLY NO FERRY CONNECTION BETWEEN LOEVESTEIN AND GORINCHEM. THERE IS ALWAYS A WATER TAXI.
In some periods, the ferry from Gorinchem from Riveer does not sail further than Woudrichem and you have to change there to the small foot-bicycle ferry from Woudrichem (and vice versa). The moorings of the small ferry are located a little further on the Afgedamde Maas. Follow the signs.
Consult www.slotloevestein.nl for the opening hours and www.slotloevestein.nl/route/leukste-weg-is-water/ for the sailing schedule.
If no ferry connection between Loevestein and Gorinchem is available, you can either take the water taxi, or skip the first part of stage 1 and start at the quay in Gorinchem.

First stage of the Hugo de Groot Pad, the reconstruction of Hugo Grotius' escape route from Loevestein Castle to Antwerp on 22 and 23 March 1621.
Stage 1 is exclusively set out as a walking (sailing) route, because it is not obvious to cycle this excursion, which also includes a visit to Loevestein Castle and a crossing over the Merwede.
From stages 2 to 7 of the Hugo de Groot Pad (from Gorinchem to Antwerp) you will find walking and cycling versions.

Loevestein, from where De Groot escaped in the bookcase, is the starting point. It is worth a visit. Among other things, some important historical episodes are explained in exhibitions. Children can playfully relive the knighthood and the story of Hugo Grotius.
It is even possible to spend the night at Loevestein. Accommodation is offered in the fortified houses.

From Loevestein you go, just like Hugo, by boat to Gorinchem. Two small differences. You will be transported as a passenger on riveer's 21st-century ferry or water taxi, while Hugo was transported as cargo in a bookcase. Moreover, you make a stopover in Woudrichem, because that is the sailing schedule. Hugo's historical crossing was direct.

Arriving in Gorinchem you make a circular walk along some sights on foot. You will pass all the well-known historical places that play a role in the story of Hugo's flight.