Startpunt Etappe 11

Duikersluis

Wielen van Waalwijk
A wheel is a pool of water in the landscape that is created by a dike breach. Waalwijk at one time had no fewer than 27 of these small water surfaces, also known as kolk, wind, waal or weel. Hoofsven, Frog Wheel, Flea Wheel and Gallows Wheel are the most famous and accessible of the remaining wheels. All four are located around the Meerdijk in the Plantsloon region. At the end of this hike you walk towards the Baardwijkse Overlaat nature reserve.

Baardwijkse Overlaat
The Baardwijkse Overlaat nature reserve is a woodland and wetland nature reserve of 48 hectares and was originally used to temporarily retain water from the Maas by means of dikes during high water. When the French moved through Langstraat in 1794, the Overlaat served as an inundation area. Due to the harsh winter, the water froze and it was easy for the French to cross. The residents decided to break the ice. This resulted in a major dike breach, resulting in the Nieuwe Wiel in the Overlaat.

Grenspalen Heusden
The border in Heusden forms an important basis for the development of Brabant. Because precisely along this border, various fortified towns arose in defense of Southern Holland, including Heusden. Those boundary markers of Heusden indicate that old boundary. Seven boundary markers in the municipality mark this important historical line, all the way from Willemstad to Engelen. The oak boundary markers can be found at seven locations in the municipality of Heusden. You can recognize them by their engraving where you recognize the flag of Brabant on one side and the flag of Holland on the other.

De sluisjes van de Elshoutse Zeedijk
Those who walk from Waalwijk to Heusden will pass the Elshoutse Zeedijk. When you think of a long, straight block of stone when you think of a dyke, you will be amazed when you walk along the Elshoutse Zeedijk. Centuries ago, this dyke was a winding defense against floods and the enemy. The dike was once built because of the flood of 1421. In the centuries that followed, the dike protected people against the rising water from the Maas and Baardwijkse Overlaat. At the end of the 16th century, Heusden became a frontier fortress of the Republic of the Netherlands. The Zeedijk became part of the Defense Line of Heusden. So he not only kept our feet dry, but also defended us against the enemy.

Schans bij Doeveren
If you are on the Elshoutse Zeedijk you can see the remains of the Schans at Doeveren. The contours of this earthen defense work - in six points - are slightly higher than the rest of the landscape. The Schans was already in 1504 on the winding Elshoutse Zeedijk to defend this and the associated lock. And that was important to prevent the enemy from invading Heusden. Everyone saw that strategic importance, so the redoubt at Heusden was taken over and over again. By the Spaniards. Prince Maurice of Orange and the French. The redoubt was expanded several times, fell into disrepair and was renovated again. An eventful and busy place where it is now mainly quiet.

Vestingwallen rondom Heusen

Vestingstad Heusden
In atmospheric Heusden, all fortress monuments are within walking distance of each other. The fortified city was created around 1200 at the castle of the Heeren van Heusden. Strategically located on the Maas as an important link between the Biesbosch and 's-Hertogenbosch. Heusden's fortress past can be felt in almost every stone.

Het Gouverneurshuis
The Gouverneurshuis in Heusden was built in 1592 for the governor of the garrison, who based here according to the history of Heusden at the time. The house has a walled garden with fruit trees, rose beds and benches. In 1985 it became a museum where interesting objects from the Land van Heusden and Altena can be found, such as archaeological finds, paintings, books, historical maps and silverware. A beautiful environment to discover and enjoy a cup of coffee afterwards.

Bromsluis
There is a remarkable lock at the ramparts of Heusden. The Bromsluis is part of the Heusden fortifications and served as an attack base for a counter-attack against the city. This made it a 'sortie': a tunnel under the defensive wall. Despite the deep ditch, the defenders were able to leave the fortress in the event of an enemy attack via a secret, permeable place. Now the Brom lock is a discharge lock for the Demergracht in the city. The lock forms a beautiful transition between two worlds. That of the pleasant fortified city and that of the vast and green landscapes behind the ramparts. Both the ramparts and the Bromsluis are spectacular to visit.

Wijkse Poort
Heusden originally had four city gates, one in each direction. Two of them have survived and were restored at the end of the 20th century. The Veerpoort Heusden originally had the name Waterpoort. During the restoration in the 1970s, the gate got its current name, after the ferry that left at the back of the gate, to Nederhemert on the other side. The Wijkse Poort is only five minutes' walk away. This city gate is named after the village of Wijk bij Aalburg.

Veerpoort
Heusden originally had four city gates, one in each direction. Two of them have survived and were restored at the end of the 20th century. The Veerpoort Heusden originally had the name Waterpoort. During the restoration in the 1970s, the gate got its current name, after the ferry that left at the back of the gate, to Nederhemert on the other side. The Wijkse Poort is only five minutes' walk away. This city gate is named after the village of Wijk bij Aalburg.

South Water Line - stage 11
The fortified city of Heusden was at the forefront for centuries. The city was built around one of the oldest moated castles in northwestern Europe and was one of the first Dutch cities to have a city wall. Thanks to beautiful restorations, much of the old Heusden has been preserved.
The Zuiderwaterlinie is the oldest, longest and most used of all Dutch waterlines. A unique chain of 11 fortified towns and their surrounding countryside, connected by the typical Dutch story of defending with the water. From Bergen op Zoom to Grave you can now find Brabant cosiness against the backdrop of a rich history. Enjoy the cozy historic fortified towns, visit the sturdy fortresses or relax in the special nature.
The Zuiderwaterlinie hiking path is plotted over the Brabant hiking junction system. The walking route is recognizable by the green-and-yellow signage with the Zuiderwaterlinie symbol. The total length of the walking path is 290 kilometers, but you can also choose to hike shorter routes.