New Dutch Waterline

Visiting the forts

The New Dutch Waterline forts are, for the most part, closed during the winter months because of  the bats that nest there. However, from May through September scores of guided tours of the forts are possible.

In the northern part of the Dutch Waterline, you can visit:

• Foreland Pampus. You can only visit Foreland Pampus by boat. Take the ferryboat from Muiden.
• Het Muiderslot
  This medieval castle on the Vecht has survived many wars, and today houses a museum.
• The fortified town (vestingsteden) Muiden
  The Fortress of Muiden is one of only five fortified towns on the Waterline, where you can also see scores of historical buildings such as the Muiderslot, the fortified works and the West Battery.
• The fortified  town Weesp
• The fortified town Naarden
• Fort Uitermeer
• Fort Werk IV in Bussum
  Fort Werk IV is the largest and last remaining of the five defence works from the New Dutch Waterline that were built in 1870 in front of the Fortress of Naarden as part of a front line around Bussum.
• Fort Spion in Loosdrecht
  Fort Spion in Loosdrecht offers overnight accommodation. The surrounding areas offer walking and cycling routes through the lakes district and along the Vecht. Plus there is no shortage of water sport possibilities.
• Fort Nieuwersluis managed by the Society for the Preservation of Natural Monuments (Vereniging Natuurmonumenten)

Most of the forts are found in the central section of the Dutch Waterline. Many forts had to be built around Utrecht, as the city could not be defended by flooding.

• Werk bij Maarsseveen
• Fort aan de Klop,  have a snack and a drink on the terrace
• Lunet I
• Fort Blauwkapel
• Fort de Bilt
  The Peace Education Centre is located in Fort de Bilt. The foundation educates school children about the theme of war and peace.
• Werk aan de Hoofddijk
  The Botanical Gardens of Utrecht University are located at the former site of Fort Hoofddijk.
• Fort Rijnauwen managed by the Dutch National Forest Service (Staatsbosbeheer)
• Fort Vechten
  Where the New Dutch Waterline and the Roman Limes cross each other. Fort Vechten organises various activities. The province of Utrecht and partners want to establish a national visitor’s centre at Fort Vechten for the New Dutch Waterline and the Limes (the northern boarder of the Roman Empire).
• Fort Jutphaas which houses the wine merchant Trouvaille. Wine tasting events are organised here, in the oldest fort of the Waterline.
• Werk aan de Korte Uitweg
  The Works on the Korte Uitweg offers a rest stop for campers and cyclists.Fort Tienhoven Currently being managed as a nature reserve located near Maarsen in the Province of Utrecht.
• Fort Voordorp
  The restaurant/hotel complex Fort Voordorp is located in this restored fort.

 In the southern part of the Waterline, you can visit the following castles and forts:

• Werk aan het Spoel, have a snack and a drink on the terrace
• Fort Asperen
  The Fort Asperen Foundation organises various cultural events in Fort Asperen.
• Fort Vuren
  The Walk and Cycle the Forts Foundation (Stichting Wandel en Fiets Forten) manages Fort Vuren. Hikers and cyclists can eat, sleep and drink at the fort, which is located just opposite the castle Slot Loevestein.
• The fortified town Gorinchem
• Fort Altena. Rent a canoe or biclicle and have a snack and drink on the tarrace.
• The fortified town Woudrichem
  
• Slot Loevestein
  The other medieval castle of the Waterline. It is also has a museum.
• Fort Everdingen Interesting remnants from the mobilisations of 1914–1918 and 1939–1940 can be seen near the fort.
• Fort Pannerden

National Forts Month
September is National Forts Month (Nationale Fortenmaand), during which many of forts open their doors and serve as a backdrop for special art shows and surprising theatre exhibitions. Guided tours are also organized.