Mix of water and vistas during bike ride in Utrecht

The bike tour has a starting point in the Overvecht district, known for the three forts (national monuments) that are part of Hollandse Waterlinie and can be partially visited: Fort de Gagel, Fort de Klop and Fort Blauwkapel. Through the district of Voordorp we come to Groenekan, which includes the beautifully restored corn mill Geesina. The route continues via Bilthoven and Den Dolder to Lage Vuursche, the village beautifully situated on the Utrecht Ridge. Lage Vuursche has dozens of national monuments, including the reformed Stulpkerk from 1650. In the vicinity are a number of estates with a high Orange content, including Drakensteyn Castle and Soestdijk Palace. The Ewijckshoeve, Eyckenstein estate and Hooge Vuursche Castle are other important attractions. The Elisabeth Monastery, also located here, has been in use as a nursing home since 1983. Lage Vuursche, partly because of its lovely, wooded surroundings, is a busy stopping place for hikers and cyclists. Via Hollandse Rading and the village of Tienhoven, we arrive at the Loosdrechtse Plassen, the five famous lakes separated by dikes and islands and a huge tourist attraction. The varied route continues along a section of the Vecht, the picturesque river that in earlier times was the important connection between IJsselmeer and the Rhine. Via Zuilen, with the particularly beautiful Zuylen Castle, dating from the sixteenth century, we reach the end point.