Belgium or South Netherlands

[Biscuit]

Ferry is booked Harwich to Hoek overnight both ways. 5 days cycling on the continent. Two options. 1. South Netherlands taking in Njimegen and Arnhem, return along the waas, or 2. Across into Belgium day one Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, then long run back to Hoek?

Can't decide. Anyone ridden along side the Waas? ( Part of the Rhine route , EuroVelo 15). Is it all industrial or actually quite pleasant?

 

[coffeejo]

Can't help but you'd better take your camera!

 

[totallyfixed]

Ferry is booked Harwich to Hoek overnight both ways. 5 days cycling on the continent. Two options. 1. South Netherlands taking in Njimegen and Arnhem, return along the waas, or 2. Across into Belgium day one Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, then long run back to Hoek?

Can't decide. Anyone ridden along side the Waas? ( Part of the Rhine route , EuroVelo 15). Is it all industrial or actually quite pleasant?

We did northern and central Netherlands, did Arnheim and NIjmegen where we have friends then a really nice route back to the Hook from there, one overnight stop in Breda then back via Brielle, so 2 days from Nijmegen with plenty of time to spare. Going back this year.

 

[snorri]

Anyone ridden along side the Waas?

Never heard of it!, Could it be the Maas or the Waal?

 

[Biscuit]

Oh yes sorry the Waal. :-)

 

[Haitch]

The Waal from Nijmegen, oldest city in NL, to Dordrecht is pleasant countryside (in a Dutch fashion). From Dordrecht to Hoek is urban and industrial but can be covered in a morning.

 

[snorri]

What Alan H said.
I cycled along the Rhine and Waal last summer including Arnhem and Nijmegen and enjoyed it, but I suppose it depends on what interests you. I didn't consider the industrial bits to be at all overbearing, but most of my holiday pics are of ships on the rivers!
Is it not rather a long way from the Hook down to Belgium and back giving enough time to look around Bruges, Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp in five days?

 

[Haitch]

I didn't consider the industrial bits to be at all overbearing

No, not overbearing and some of the towns (Dordrecht, Schiedam) are worth exploring. I just find the continuous edge town a bit depressing. Take the wrong route from Haarlem to Amsterdam, for instance (not that it's on your route), and its 30 miles of light engineering, warehousing, industrial sheds. I haven't ridden it but I would expect Dordrecht to Hoek to be similar and worth detouring if possible (Gouda, Delft, coast along the LF1 bike route to Hoek).

 

[snorri]

It's so difficult recommending or advising against routes for others, we all have such individual tastes.
This house caught my eye last summer, built on the river flood dyke and appropriately named 'The Box on the Wa(a)ll'.

 

[Biscuit]

Thanks for all your replies. Yes the Belgium option does pack in rather a lot. But I can always modify plans as I go. The Dutch route has my preference at the moment. On my last trip my return route was indeed via Gouda, Delft, and LF1 which was great. I'm hoping for similar options on the return along the Waal.

 

[Haitch]

I'm hoping for similar options on the return along the Waal.

I suppose you know this site.

 

[Biscuit]

I suppose you know this site.

Yes Alan thank you. I was just looking for a general vibe about the route, as I generally leave things quite open to change plans / routes as I fancy. All part of the fun !! :-)
I took a tablet thing with me last year, but never used it. I'm a bit old school with papery maps and chatting to locals on possibilities. Why I enjoy it I guess. Cheers!

 

[sazzaa]

Have driven round Belgium and Netherlands and Belgium wins for scenery hands down. The only place in Netherlands I loved was Delft.

 

[Biscuit]

Delft is indeed very lovely. Last year I spent some time making my way up to the Frisian islands then back to the mainland in a giant loop. Some camping and using Vrienden op de fiets where ever I could. So this year I thought I'd either take in the bits I missed or a bit of Belgium instead. I only have 5 days (@Rockymountain in May) as I have LEJOG in July.
I've just started watching 'Salamander' on TV so Belgium may win after all. :-)

 

[Biscuit]

I'm travelling over to Hoek at the beginning of June.....sounds a good summer of riding, Biscuit :thumbs up:

Where are you headed?