's-Heerenberg, Lobith, Babberich

We start this route in the village of Herwen on 't Gelders Eiland. The original Herwen was a sunken village that was slowly but surely swallowed up by the water wolf, the violent river Waal, in the 18th century. It was only when the people of Holland and Utrecht built a serious dyke that the area became habitable again. This dyke still protects the central Netherlands from flooding to this day. The swallowed-up village of Herwen was rebuilt on the other side of the dyke.

The next village is Babberich. It belonged to Germany until 1816 and was once pledged to the Duke of Kleve. The Frankish and Saxon influences are still noticeable in the language of the villagers, but also in the architectural style of the churches and the castle Huize Babberich. Just past Babberich, you cycle past a sculpture garden that you can visit by appointment. Then you cycle on to the next village on the route: Beek, in the municipality of Montferland. Although there are signs in this village saying “Welcome to the Achterhoek”, it is not officially part of it.

Through the hilly Bergherbos, with surprising views and the occasional challenging climb, you cycle past Zeddam to 's-Heerenberg. This town in the municipality of Bergh is part of the Achterhoek and has a rich history. In the charming town centre, there are several sights that give a good impression of the impressive history that has taken place here. For example, justice was administered here from early on, there was a prison and coins were minted. In the Stadsmuseum Bergh, you can see what else happened here.

With your head full of knowledge about Bergh's history, you can hop back on your bike, this time heading for Stokkum. Stokkum lies at the foot of the Hulzenberg. A short distance from the route, on top of the Hulzenberg, there is a watchtower that offers a view of the wide surroundings from the Veluwezoom to the Reichswald near Kleve.

You will cross the border for the first time on this route as you cycle towards Elten in Germany. In the Middle Ages, this was still Dutch territory, but in 1355 it came into the hands of the Duchy of Kleve. From 1949 to 1963, it was briefly assigned to the Netherlands as compensation for the occupation, but this time it became German for good.

Crossing the Oude Rijn and the border again, you will find yourself back on the island of Gelderland. On this side, in the direction of Lobith, you will notice how important this strategic area has been in the fight against water, but also against the enemy during the Eighty Years' War. On the dyke, you will cycle past the newly constructed Carvium Novum redoubt. This also offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Lobith itself is the most famous village on the island of Gelderland. If you learned at school that the Rhine enters our country at Lobith, this turns out to be completely incorrect. When the Rhine still flowed past Lobith, the place belonged to Germany. Once Lobith became Dutch territory, the Rhine no longer flowed past it.

Lobith is the last village on this route. Cycling along the De Bijland and De Oude Waal lakes, you return to Herwen to conclude an educational trip through two provinces, along two national borders and around two historically interesting regions!