First a brief bit of history about pumping stations in the Netherlands.

The habitability and quality of life in the Netherlands are largely determined by the protection of dunes and dikes and, last but not least, by water management. Water drainage is vital in this regard. Besides the natural drainage of excess water, drainage and pumping stations have been indispensable since the early Middle Ages. Initially, these were simple instruments set in motion by humans, animals, or wind; from around 1750 onwards, increasingly sophisticated mechanized and automated installations, large and small, emerged, of which approximately 4,500 are currently in operation in the Netherlands.

This two-day route takes us past nine steam pumping stations designated as national monuments, seven of which are still operational, for example, during heavy rainfall. Details about the various pumping stations can be found on the website of the NGS, the "Nederlandse Gemalen Stichting" (Dutch Pumping Station Foundation) (see links).

Besides the pumping stations, there are also museums and other attractions along the way. The route follows provincial roads, country lanes, and beautiful winding dikes. You'll pass numerous lakes and ride through polders, forests, meadows, and nature reserves. You'll travel through eight provinces. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to stop for lunch or a drink. Every village has a café-restaurant or snack bar, which are marked with points of interest along the route.

We'll drive through the beautiful Veluwezoom nature park, covering over 5,000 hectares and part of the Veluwe, a large, contiguous nature reserve. Here you'll find almost untouched nature with forests, heathlands, sand drifts, and estates. Veluwezoom's distinctive terrain is its rugged terrain. Nowhere else in the Veluwe will you find so many hills and such stunning views. From the Posbank, for example, you can see all the way to Germany in good weather. Drive carefully and enjoy this beautiful park. Be mindful of wildlife and cyclists. The park is closed to motorized traffic on weekends and during events; you'll then need to take the N785 to De Steeg to rejoin the route.

We drive through the beautiful Sallandse Heuvelrug nature park, situated between the Hanseatic cities of Deventer and Zwolle on one side and Twente on the other. The area, which dates back to the Ice Age, encompasses no fewer than 26 hills, the Regge River, and the largest contiguous dry heathland in Northwest Europe. Part of the area is a National Park, home to rare flora and fauna such as the black grouse and the nightjar. This natural beauty, along with its history and cultural heritage, makes the area a surprising and unique place in the Netherlands.

Along the route, there are other sights worth visiting, such as the Holterberg Nature Museum, one of the oldest and most famous nature museums in the Netherlands. The museum is renowned for its life-size dioramas, which transport visitors from the Sallandse Heuvelrug to the Wadden Sea, the Veluwe, and even the Swiss Alps. The Holterberg Nature Museum boasts one of the largest collections of European animal species, with over 1,000 animals, from the largest songbird in the Netherlands to the only European monkey.

Another must-see is a visit to the Dutch Steam Engine Museum, a hidden gem on the dike between the polder and the IJsselmeer, just outside Medemblik. Here you'll find a unique collection of steam engines and steam models in a former steam pumping station. Experience the pure technology of visible, audible, and olfactory mechanisms, powered by water and fire. Discover how steam engines work and the role they played in the Industrial Revolution and the battle against the water. Admission is €12.

The tour ends in Almere-Haven, the oldest part of the city of Almere in the Flevopolder. The province of Flevoland is reclaimed land and lies approximately 5 meters below sea level. Without the dikes and pumping stations, this city couldn't exist. Enjoy a delicious meal at one of the restaurants on the boulevard in the harbor basin.