Groene Hart and Nieuwkoopse Plassen

The Landscape

Legend has it that Nieuwkoop was founded in the early 12th century by a group of gypsies. Unable to continue their journey due to a broken wagon wheel, these gypsies decided to settle here permanently. However, the first inhabitants of Nieuwkoop were not gypsies but individuals who settled there for peat extraction. Peat was extensively harvested, leading to the formation of water areas that are now part of this nature reserve. One area was drained and converted into an extensive peat meadow, while another area was transformed into a swampy area. This beautiful nature and recreation area became a refuge for many artists seeking inspiration in the late 19th century. The Nieuwkoopse Plassen represent a typical Dutch landscape where the past is still visible everywhere, providing a perfect setting for complete relaxation.

Bike with us

Route map

You will bike in the vicinity of the towns of Nieuwkoop, Zwammerdam, Bodegraven, Mijdrecht, and Zegveld.

Start and finish near bike node 83 on the Noordenseweg in Nieuwkoop. However, this bike route is a circular tour, so it offers the possibility to start from any of the following bike nodes.

83 - 79 - 77 - 76 - 53 - 58 - 24 - 80 - 19 - 65 - 57 - 60 - 55 - 53 - 28 - 54 - 88 - 89 - 55 - 53 - 83