The next route I will describe is a route between the two cities Weesp and Hilversum. Hilversum is the largest city in the heart of the beautiful area the Dutch call Het Gooi (See map down below).

As I have been written before I don't find Hilversum attractive and the only reason why I write about a cycle route to Hilversum is because of the 16 km route and not because of the city which is at the end of it.

When you come from the centre of Weesp turn right after you have passed fort Ossenmarkt and follow 's-Gravelandseweg along the river Vecht. After about 4 km you can see the remains of fort Uitermeer, which you should make a break to see. After the fort follow the narrow road Kreugerlaan.

Just before the road Melkmeent starts you can se one of the many small bunkers which were built just before World War II. The bunker will be on your left hand and in a private garden. Along the road there will be a lot of different birds because of the wet environment. After you have passed the crossroad and the sluice you will have Hilversumse to your left. When you come to Hilversumse-Meentweg you cross it and you will be on Melkestraat. Then you get to the gas station and the Franse Kampweg where you cross the road to the gate to the small wood. Now you are on Oude-Meentweg. Short after you will see a bench on your right and a little lake some 100 meters down below. If you take a break there before sunset and if you are just a little lucky you can see deer pass by.

Oude-Meentweeg - Summer 2010

Not least in the spring, you can see a great lushness in the previously well-groomed park, which is now largely allowed to adapt to the order of nature.

Many years ago, it was a park belonging to the owners of a monumental country house - Landhuis Bantam - which was demolished in 1971 after the fire brigade had used it as a practice project. You can still find traces if you look closely, and you can see a picture of the house if you look into the pipe lined up down by the water.

Landhuis Bantam before it was demolished - Autumn 2020

Landhuis Bantam is a historic country house in Hilversum, that is part of the so-called 's-Gravelandse Buitenplaatsen. It is an area with many old mansions and parks, that were built by wealthy merchants from Amsterdam in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Bantam - Summer 2023