Rotterdam-exploration 04: to the Atlantic and back (19.08.2017)

© Helwig Hauser

© Helwig Hauser

Note that this track has been created from memory, i.e., it was not recorded automatically.

Trip Summary

This fourth exploration of Rotterdam on bikes brought us to the west of Rotterdam. We started in Rotterdam Centrum and headed westwards, first. We crossed the Delfshavensche Schie and cycled then towards Schiemond, before we changed direction (towards Schiedam). Passing by Merwehaven, we came to Schiedam, where we turned left (towards the south). At the Nieuwe Maas we then turned right, again, following then the Westfrankelandsedijk towards the west. Passing by Volkspark, we came to Vijfsluizen from where we connected to Vlaardingen. In the west of Vlaardingen, we found a nice biking path through the green and open land there. That brought us to Maassluis, where we connected to the dam (on the northern side of the Nieuwe Maas). We then followed the dam (against some very strong headwinds!) towards the northwest, also passing by the impressive protection construction, which can lock of the entire river (against high waters from the sea). Further out towards the sea, we then arrived at Hoek van Holland, where we enjoyed a short break. We then explored the beach at the Hoek van Holland a little, before we continued (along the sea) towards the northeast. We followed a nice biking path, which stretches along the dunes. Having the winds more from behind than in the face, this part went significantly faster (and easier). We passed by Monster and continued further towards Den Haag. At Kijkduin we left the beach and followed some bike paths that travers Den Haad a little south of its center from the west to the east. Coming by Zuiderpark, our path turned more into a southeastern direction (towards Delft). Shortly after, we reached Delft, where we cycled towards the center for another break. Eventually, we continued in southeastern direction, passing by the TU Delft, back towards Rotterdam. We followed the Delftsche Schie until De Zweth, where we changed to the eastern side of the highway A13. This brought us closer to the center of Rotterdam, passing by its airport, also. After cycling through or along some nice parks in the north of Rotterdam, we eventually were back. All in all, this trip was not exactly short and neither completely easy (mostly because of the strong headwinds in the beginning).

Photos

Selected photos are available as Google photo album.

Useful Resources

See also the FB-page Hiking around Bergen, Norway.