I hiked this section of the Old Dutch Waterline trail in two parts. I hiked the first part, from Gorinchem to Noordeloos, in early February 2026. I hiked the second part, from Noordeloos to Schoonhoven, two months later.
Part 1: Gorinchem – Noordeloos
Today’s trail starts at Gorinchem train station. I’m there early – it’s still dark, in fact. I walk past an industrial area and then along a grassy dike. This is a rather long and monotonous stretch of the trail. In the distance, the highway roars past; at one point, I pass underneath it. It’s tricky going, as I have to avoid goose droppings. The place is absolutely crowded with geese.
At the end of this path, I arrive at the picturesque town of Schelluinen. Here, the trail is much more enjoyable and, thankfully, there are fewer geese. Just past the town, I take a grassy path alongside the Schelluinsche Vliet canal. It starts to drizzle a little. Even though I’m wearing waterproof shoes, my socks get wet.
Just past the Scheiwijk windmill, I leave the grassy path. I walk past a few farmhouses and see a cute little grey bunny hopping by.
The trail then follows the winding little Giessen river, once again along a grassy path. This is the best bit of the trail. I pass right by yet another windmill – this time the Oudedijk mill. At the end of the grassy path, I find myself in the town of Hoornaar.
I don’t mind walking along the paved road for a bit. I walk out of the town of Hoornaar again. Not long after, I climb over a small fence and walk along a wooden embankment. This is more comfortable than a grassy path. The drizzle and the wind have left my whole right side soaked through. My left side, however, remains completely dry. I decide to stop in Noordeloos. At the Noordeloos golf course, I veer off the trail and head towards the bus stop.
Part 2: Noordeloos – Schoonhoven
Two months later, I set off for Noordeloos to walk the second section of the Old Dutch Waterline trail. I walk back past the golf course and then cross the provincial road. I walk along a long, straight cycle path. It’s a bit of a dull start to the hike. I pass a pair of swans on their nest. It’s as if they want to show off their beautiful eggs. Fortunately, they don’t hiss at me.
I leave the cycle path at Goudriaan and stop for a break there. For a moment, I’m not sure which way to go, but it turns out I just need to walk along the road. Unfortunately, it’s quite busy and I’m nearly run over. Fortunately, a little further on is the Boonevlietkade, where I can walk at a slower pace.
I’ve been to this path before, on the Great rivers trail between Nieuwpoort and Ameide, but in the opposite direction. There are warning signs about the oak processionary caterpillar, and I should really be heading the other way. But it’s still early in the year; the caterpillars aren’t here yet, so I’ll take my chances.
Please note: from early May to late August, this section of the path is likely to be closed. You’ll then have to take a long detour or walk even further along the busy road. I’d recommend walking here at a different time of year, as this is actually a really lovely part of the trail.
Other trail guide about this region
I cross the busy road and walk along the Langerakse Kade. It’s another lovely path winding its way through the fields. At the end is the Westermolen and a bench where I stop for a break. Next to the bench is a postbox with a logbook for hikers. I wrote something in it too.
After that, I walk past the windmill and along a grassy path lined with bright yellow rapeseed. This path stretches all the way to Nieuwpoort.
In Nieuwpoort, I first walk straight through the fortified town and then along the fortified walls, with a view over the Lek river.
In 1672, the fortress of Nieuwpoort became part of the Old Dutch Water Line. The fields around Nieuwpoort could be flooded, like with other fortified towns. But the farmers objected to this and rose up in revolt.
The town hall was built on top of the sluice gate to make it difficult for the farmers to sabotage the flooding. Only the town clerk had access to the town hall.
Source (in Dutch): Vestingstad Nieuwpoort
I walk out of Nieuwpoort and head towards the ferry. This takes me to the town of Schoonhoven. I walk through the Veerpoort and then along the canal in the town centre. Near Springerpark, I bring today’s hike to an end. Would you like to find out more about the lovely little town of Schoonhoven? Then read the detailed report of my hike: Great rivers trail: Ammerstol – Nieuwpoort.
Final thoughts
The two parts of this section on the Old Dutch Waterline trail make for Fine hikes. Both hikes feature some lovely paths, but also a few dull, less enjoyable sections. I particularly found the long, straight stretches rather uninspiring.
On the first part from Gorinchem to Noordeloos, I found the path along the little Giessen river the most enjoyable. On the second part from Noordeloos to Schoonhoven, I’d really recommend the Boonevliet and Langerakse Kade and the little town of Nieuwpoort.
On the Struinen en Vorsen.nl website, you’ll find the Twin Cities hiking trail. This trail introduces you to the twin towns of Schoonhoven and Nieuwpoort.
More info:
Trail: Old Dutch Waterline trail – Section 1Where: from Gorinchem via Noordeloos to Schoonhoven, Zuid-holland and Utrecht, the Netherlands
No. of km part 1: +/- 12 km
No. of km part 2: +/- 13 km
Hiking date: 10 Febuary and 7 April 2026
Materials used in illustrations: coloured pencils for the map and watercolour paints for the other illustration
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
- Gorinchem: Gorinchem train station
- Noordeloos: bus stop Noordeloos N214 – bus 388 between Rotterdam Kralingse Zoom and Utrecht CS
- Schoonhoven: bus stop Schoonhoven Oost – bus 395 between Rotterdam Capelsebrug and Utrecht CS
Back in time
I went on the Super hike described below during the same period (February–March) in 2021.
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