Lek and Linge route by car
A loop over the dikes of the Linge and the Lek, past the fortress towns of Leerdam and Gorinchem, the forts of the New Dutch Water Line and the orchards of the river country. For convertible, touring car, motorbike and camper.
Google Maps starts from your own location. For Garmin, Komoot or TomTom: download the GPX.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Fort Asperen by HenkvD (CC BY-SA 3.0), Acquoy by A. J. van der Wal (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Over the dikes of the river country
Between the great rivers Lek and Waal lies a calm, green land of dikes, orchards, old towns and forts: the river country of the Betuwe and the Vijfheerenlanden. The Linge, the longest river lying entirely within the Netherlands, winds right through it. This route follows the dikes along the Linge and the Lek in a loop, over narrow dike roads with the water on one side and the floodplains on the other. About 88 kilometres in all, a relaxed day with fortress towns, forts and fruit.
You start in the glass town of Leerdam and drive past the fort and fortress town of Asperen, the fortress city of Gorinchem on the Merwede, and over the Lek dike past Culemborg and the forts of the New Dutch Water Line near Everdingen. In spring the orchards are in blossom, in late summer they hang full of fruit. No motorway, just the winding dikes where touring is calm.
The route on the map
A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.
Soon: your time and starting point
The places along the route
1. Leerdam
Leerdam has been the glass town of the Netherlands for centuries, with the glass factory, the National Glass Museum and glass art throughout the town. It lies on the Linge, between the dikes, and is the natural starting point of the loop. A good place to start with a look at the glassblowers.
Practical: park in the centre; the Glass Museum and the factory are within walking distance.
2. Asperen
Asperen is a well-preserved little fortress town on the Linge, with Fort Asperen nearby: a round fort of the New Dutch Water Line, now an atmospheric place for art exhibitions. The fort and the surrounding waterworks show how the land was once flooded to stop the enemy.
Practical: park by the town; Fort Asperen can be visited during exhibitions.
3. Gorinchem
Gorinchem (Gorcum) is the largest fortress city on the route, with complete ramparts, eleven bastions and a harbour where the Linge meets the wide Merwede. From the ramparts you look across the water to Loevestein castle on the far side. A beautiful city to wander.
Practical: park on the edge of the fortress; you walk the ramparts and the harbour in an hour.
4. Arkel
Arkel lies on the Linge just above Gorinchem, known for its lock and the mills along the water. Here the route turns back onto the Linge, east through the open river country with its dikes and floodplains. A quiet point between the fortress towns.
Practical: a short stop; park by the lock, a lovely spot by the water.
5. Geldermalsen
Geldermalsen lies in the heart of the Betuwe, the great fruit region, where in spring the orchards are in blossom and in late summer they hang full of apples and pears. It is a good point to turn towards the Lek, with fruit growing all around you.
Practical: park in the centre; orchards and roadside fruit sales all around.
6. Beesd
Beesd is an atmospheric Betuwe village on the Linge, with old farms, the Mariënwaerdt estate nearby and orchards all around. Away from the rivers you taste the quiet, green interior of the river country here, between two dikes.
Practical: a short stop; the Mariënwaerdt estate nearby is a fine extra stop.
7. Culemborg
Culemborg is a well-preserved old fortress city on the Lek, with a medieval town hall, the Binnenpoort gate and a complete old centre within the walls. Here the route reaches the Lek; over the high Lek dike you drive on west with the wide river on your right.
Practical: park on the edge of the centre; the Binnenpoort and the town hall are within walking distance.
8. Everdingen
At Everdingen the loop closes, where the New Dutch Water Line crosses the Lek, with the forts that were to protect the river country. Over the Diefdijk, the old water barrier between the rivers, you drive back to Leerdam. A fitting end: from fort to fort along the water.
Practical: park at Everdingen; the forts and the Diefdijk lie along the route.
Practical: for convertible, motorbike and camper
From which town: the route starts in Leerdam, but you need not start there. Enter your own address in the planner, choose your time, and Touren.app rebuilds the same loop from Gorinchem, Culemborg, Geldermalsen or wherever you are staying.
For which vehicle: the narrow, winding dike roads with the water in view are ideal as a scenic drive. It drives with a camper too; mind the narrow dikes and oncoming traffic.
Forts and World Heritage: the forts of Asperen and Everdingen belong to the New Dutch Water Line, UNESCO World Heritage since 2021: a line of defence that could flood the land. Fort Asperen can be visited during exhibitions; the other forts and the dikes you admire from the road.
Best season: lovely all year, with two highlights: the blossom in the orchards around mid-April and the full fruit harvest in late summer, when you buy apples and pears along the road. In winter the dikes can be slippery.
Blossom: if you come especially for the fruit blossom, come around mid-April and follow the current blossom reports; it is the same region as the classic blossom tours of the Betuwe.
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Mail this route to yourselfFrequently asked questions
How long is the Lek and Linge route by car?
About 88 kilometres, with some 1 hour and 50 minutes of pure driving, measured via Google Maps with motorways avoided. With the fortress towns and a fort it is a relaxed, full day.
Which forts are on the route?
Among others Fort Asperen on the Linge and the forts near Everdingen on the Lek, both part of the New Dutch Water Line (UNESCO World Heritage since 2021). Fort Asperen can be visited during exhibitions.
When are the orchards in blossom?
The fruit blossom in the Betuwe peaks around mid-April; the exact period varies each year with the weather. In late summer the orchards hang full of apples and pears, often for sale along the road.
Is the route suitable for convertible, motorbike and camper?
Yes. The winding dike roads are wonderful for convertible and motorbike. With a camper, mind the narrow dikes and oncoming traffic; drive gently.
Are the exports really free?
Yes, free with a Touren.app credit on them. You never pay us for exports; those who want to drive ad-free and offline choose Plus.
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