From the silver town of Schoonhoven to Gouda

Schoonhoven, the smallest municipality in the Netherlands, is also known as silver city. In the Silver Museum, you can see, feel, smell and hear silver. The town hall of Schoonhoven has a carillon with as many as fifty bells. If a melody is played there, you will stand still for a moment. The route continues between meadows towards Stolwijk. You can see the most striking building from a distance. It is the 45 meter high tower of the Dutch Reformed Church. It stands on older foundations dating back to 1501. Originally the tower was 9 meters higher, but in the early 18th century the spire was blown off. As you continue cycling you will enter the center of Gouda. The old canals and buildings offer an atmosphere that invites you to sit on a terrace and try a piece of Gouda cheese or a syrup waffle. As the route continues, you cycle along the Reeuwijkse Plassen (lakes). Through the Krimpenerwaard you will return to Schoonhoven where you can finish the route on De Lek.