Bunschoten-Spakenburg, Hoogland

This cycle route alternates between villages, meadows and water. Meander along the Eem and enjoy the views across the water of the Eemmeer. But you can also enjoy panoramic views along the meadows. In the farmland, you can completely relax. Green plains as far as the eye can see, sometimes with crops, sometimes with cows. The wind blows through the grasses on the banks of the ditches that cross the meadows. Many meadow birds also find these areas delightful. Between Junctions 53 and 51, there are several points where you can do some quiet bird watching.

You will usually see a buzzard circling above the meadows, but for the bigger stuff, you can go to the falconer near junction 06. More than 45 species of birds of prey, including eagles, vultures, kites, caracaras and various types of owls, can be admired here.

In Hoogland, they love a party. Every year in September, for example, a village festival is organised which attracts an average of 30,000 visitors. In the entire municipality of Amersfoort, this party is assessed best, namely with an 8 as average mark (given by Evenementen monitor). Carnival is also celebrated every year, as Hoogland traditionally has a Roman Catholic background. The name of the village is changed during carnival to: 't Zandkruuersgat. With this route, you cycle through Hoogland-West, the agricultural part of the village that, to the dismay of the Hooglanders, was annexed by the municipality of Amersfoort in 1973. Hoogland was buried in the same year by the Radical Anti-Amersfoort Front (RAAF). To this day, they lay a wreath of flowers at the "grave" every year, on New Year's Day.

In Amersfoort, cycle through the industrial area where the city brewery Rock City Brewery is located. Take a look inside the brewery of the characterful industrial building on Mijnbouwweg and see how the Amersfoort specialty beers are brewed that you can enjoy later on the route at HEY! Pancake. HEY! Pancake offers a full range of speciality beers from Rock City Brewing.

The towns of Spakenburg and Bunschoten have grown together so much that hardly any distinction is made between them. That is why you often see Bunschoten-Spakenburg on the place name signs. Yet the character of the places is very different. Bunschoten used to be a farming village that also had city rights. Spakenburg has always been a fishing village in heart and soul. It used to be situated at the Zuiderzee and you can see the influences in the historical village centre. Try on the traditional costumes and walk along the waterfront to eat a delicious fresh fish.