Bicycle Ride Eiland van Dordrecht & Biesbosch

During the Easter school holidays we went for a short trip to Dordrecht and explored a little part the region on bicycle. You can find tips on what to do in and around Dordrecht on the inDordrecht site. We chose a 43 km bicycle route Eiland van Dordrecht & Biesbosch through the city and the natural reserve Biesbosch. You can buy a map for 1 euro at the VVV in the city center and start cycling from there. We chose to start from our hotel and cycle to the VVV and there pick up the route after buying the map. As the route follows the so called ‘knooppunten’ you can also figure it out on the fietsknooppunt.nl site. You start at the roundabout near the VVV at 88 => 12 => 13 => 14 => 87 => 86 => 11 => 10 => 83. Here you can make a small detour of approximately 7 km => 80 => 89 => 91 => 90 =>89 => 80 => 83 and then continue along the main route => 44 => 43. At 43 you take the ferry to the Biesbosch => 2 => 4 => 6 => 21 => 22 => 20 => 8 => 2 where you take the ferry again to 43. Between 20 & 8 we stopped at the museum to have something to eat. The ferry crossing costs a little more than a euro one way and like almost everywhere nowadays you can pay with your phone, no cash or cards needed. We originally wanted to eat at 43 at Fluitekruit but it was exceptionally closed that Thursday. So we had to make do with basic musueum cafetaria fare. I had a pancake with apple which packed barely enough energy to get me back to the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel we went straight to the bar for something additional to eat and drink. After the ferry crossing back to 43 the route continues as follows => 42 => 41 => 85 => 81 => 82 at which point we cycled back to the hotel. To get back to the VVV you can continue to 47 => 48 => 49 => 12 => 88. Or alternatively go fro, 81 => 75 => 46 => 45 => 84 =>11 => 86 => 88 which is probably a nicer and greener route. We enjoyed the route, it starts in the historic center of Dordrecht with some old buildings and a marina. On the way out of the city you get a nice view of the river and then progress into parkland on route to the ferry. The Biesbosch nature reserve is very beautiful with lots of picture and bird watching opportunities and deserves a dedicated day trip by itself. But we left too late to spend much time and also forgot to bring camera and binoculars. We did see quite a few photographers with large tele lenses along the route. After crossing back to Dordrecht the route continues is a landscape with more trees for roughly 10 km after which you start to come back into the more urbanised area. The route is varied in terms of landscape and except for the last 4 km we didn’t suffer from the wind. The terrain is flat and on a windy day I imagine this route can be a challenging ride. Luckily, as it was my first ride on a bike since last year the wind kept quiet. I plan to go back some other time for some other bike trips and also to do some bird watching in the Biesbosch.