An isle of spaciousness, tranquility and recreation
Welcome to our wonderful Hoeksche Waard! An isle of spaciousness, tranquility and recreation. There’s so much to do here: along the water, in the heart of the area’s natural surroundings, or in one of the charming villages.
The Hoeksche Waard is surprisingly versatile, and has something to offer people of every age group, as well as adventurers and recreationists, throughout the seasons. This recreation magazine will be your guide to all the possibilities on offer, which have been clearly listed for your convenience. You’ll be both surprised and spoilt for choice!
The elongated dikes feature majestic rows of trees that shape inviting routes for cyclists and walkers. For miles, you can enjoy the authentic polder landscape, where the seasons serve to colour the fields, and healthy outdoor life is a given. Discover our beautiful island, visit one of its many villages, and sit yourself down at an outdoor cafe by the water’s edge, within a green setting, or in the bustling heart of a village. The Hoeksche Waard simply has it all.
Cycling
The bicycle is the ideal means of transport for discovering the Hoeksche Waard. Use pedal power to propel you over the dikes through wondrous routes, from village to village, or just alongside the water. There are over 300 kilometers of cycling routes to choose from, leading to the most beautiful places on the island. With the aid of the extensive bicycle junction network, you naturally have the option of mapping out your own route. Avid cyclists can extend their route, and hop on the bicycle-foot passenger ferry that will transport them to the adjacent region - and back again, of course. It’s a wonderful way to island hop.
Walking
Whether it’s having a walk around a village or hiking for hours on end, there are numerous possibilities on our beautiful island. The wide variety of walking routes will take you to a few surprising places. Follow the dikes and enjoy the fabulous views, walk along the green banks with their surprising vistas, or immerse yourself in a forest area that is home to some unique flora and fauna. The Hoeksche Waard has a walking network of almost 500 kilometers, so you won’t run out of routes too easily.
Local tasting sessions
The fertile clay soil of the Hoeksche Waard allows some of the most wonderful products to flourish, which you will spot while driving along the vast fields there. Past and present generations have been working hard to maintain the land and the farms here, with an eye for nature and a mind for innovation, generating products that are sold both locally and far beyond domestic borders. Come and sample some for yourself, by visiting one of the many farm shops where freshly grown produce is on display.
On the water
The creeks on our island and the surrounding rivers offer many forms of water recreation. In various places, you’ll come across small beaches where you can swim in open water, so go on, take a dip! If you’d rather keep your feet dry, then take a canoe trip over the many creeks that cross the island - or go stand up paddling along the reed belts.
Are you making your own way there by boat? Moor in one of the many villages and marinas that the Hoeksche Waard has to offer. You can opt for peace and quiet, or seek out a lively town centre; it's all there waiting to be found.
Family activities
There is a lot to discover in the Hoeksche Waard, and definitely for children as well. Recreatieoord Binnenmaas is a true playtime paradise, with its outdoor swimming pool, beautiful playground and of course the petting zoo. Bike through its villages (don't forget the outdoor cafes) and over dikes where you can make a stopover at various farms for a nice ice cream or delicious fresh fruit. Museum Hoeksche Waard is definitely worth a visit, where the island’s history is conveyed through fascinating stories.
Tiengemeten
Tiengemeten island, on the south side of the Hoeksche Waard, is quite an experience. Here you can spot bald eagles and Highland cattle. And then there’s the natural playground: a unique place where you can have endless water fun, build dams, and slide down the bank through the mud. Here’s a tip: bring a change of clothes!
All around there are fun workshops galore for children: on the farmyard, within nature, and along the waterfront. You’ll find an overview in the activity calendar.
Culture and history
In the past, the Hoeksche Waard had more than a hundred windmills, which were used for grinding grain, pressing oil, sawing, making paper and pumping out water. The ten mills that are still there today are looked after and treasured by experts. A number of them are still fully operational, and can be visited, where you can hear the story about these historic engines from the miller himself.
Overnight stays
The Hoeksche Waard has enough to offer for a longer stay, so booking an overnight can definitely be recommended. There are various locations offering accommodation, such as hotels, at campsites, on boats berthed in the harbour, or at one of the many B&B's located within the Hoeksche Waard. These are scattered all over the island, on elongated dikes for instance, where you’ll start the day with a cheerful symphony from the local bird population, or in the middle of a village centre, where the lively buzz begins right on your doorstep. After a full and enjoyable day, it’s certainly good to have somewhere to rest.
