Defence Line of Amsterdam
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 16-04-2025
Route Summary The route is definitely worth 5 stars because of the beautiful winding dikes and Dutch heritage!
Share this route 
Animation
Verdict
Duration
9h 30m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
166.24 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The Defence Line of Amsterdam was a defence line, located 15 to 20 kilometres around the centre of the Dutch city of Amsterdam. The Defence Line is 135 kilometres long, contains 45 forts and was built from 1880 to 1920.
On 26 September 1995, the Defence Line of Amsterdam, together with the New Dutch Waterline, was submitted to UNESCO for inclusion on the World Heritage List, where it was placed in its entirety in 1996. In 2021, the New Dutch Waterline was added to the existing World Heritage. Both components have since been on the list under the name Dutch Water Defence Line.
The Defence Line of Amsterdam was primarily a waterline. In the event of hostilities, large parts of the area around Amsterdam would be flooded. The enemy would then not be able to advance. Amsterdam would function as the last bastion of the Netherlands. The construction of the Defence Line of Amsterdam was regulated in the Fortifications Act of 1874.
The forts were situated at places where the waterline was crossed by dikes, roads or railways. Places where the water was deep enough for boats were vulnerable, because the advancing enemy would not be stopped by the water at those places, so that he had to be able to come under fire at these places too. In military jargon, these roads etc. were known as accesses.
Enjoy this great ride of almost 170 kilometers, but because of the many sights you will be on the road all day, maybe even two days if you plan a lot of stops. You will ride on beautiful country roads, dikes and through beautiful villages in the provinces of North Holland and Utrecht. Along the route there are several options to stop for a drink or something to eat, there are some suggestions included in the route.
Not all forts are clearly visible from the road, so if you want to visit the forts, prepare your trip well and adjust the route to your liking. The links in this review provide more information about the sights along the route and which forts are open to the public, or whether there are guided tours. The highlight of this trip is the beautiful Muiderslot.
List of sights;
Fort Edam
Fort Kwadijk
Fort on the Nekkerweg
Fort on the Middenweg
Fort on the Jisperweg
Fort at Spijkerboor
Fort at Markenbinnen
Fort Krommeniedijk
Fort aan den Ham
Secondary battery at Fort aan den Ham
Fort at Veldhuis
Secondary battery at Fort near Veldhuis
Fort north of Spaarndam
Fort south of Spaarndam
Fort at the Liebrug
Fort near Vijfhuizen
Battery on the Sloterweg
Crash Air War and Resistance Museum
Aalsmeer Station and an Old Locomotive
Water tower near Aalsmeer
Fort at Kudelstaart
Fort Uithoorn and Pancake House
Fort Wavers Amstel
Fort in the Botshol
Fort at the Shop
Batteries on the Gein (on both sides of the road near the mill
Mouse Fort
Muiderslot
Pampus
Some suggestions of where to stop are;
1. The Fort at Edam, this is small and atmospheric.
2. Fort at Spijkerboor, this is a large one where guided tours are also given
3. Fort at Marken-Binnen, this is a beautifully situated fort in a quiet area.
4. Fort aan den Ham, here is also an educational centre
5. The town of Weesp with its fortifications and old centre is a nice option for a bite to eat towards the end of the ride or at the end of the ride in Muiderberg.
6. Muiderslot and the fortress island Pampus in Muiderberg. Definitely worth a visit to end this beautiful day.
Links 
Usage Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically. 
Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Utrecht
About this region
Utrecht ( YOO-trekt, Dutch: [ˈytrɛxt] (listen)) is the fourth-largest city and a municipality of the Netherlands, capital and most populous city of the province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, in the very centre of mainland Netherlands; it had a population of 359,355 as of 2021.Utrecht's ancient city centre features many buildings and structures, several dating as far back as the High Middle Ages. It has been the religious centre of the Netherlands since the 8th century. It was the most important city in the Netherlands until the Dutch Golden Age, when it was surpassed by Amsterdam as the country's cultural centre and most populous city.
Utrecht is host to Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands, as well as several other institutions of higher education. Due to its central position within the country, it is an important transport hub for both rail and road transport; it contains the busiest train station in the Netherlands, Utrecht Centraal. It has the second-highest number of cultural events in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. In 2012, Lonely Planet included Utrecht in the top 10 of the world's unsung places.
Read more on Wikipedia
Utrecht is host to Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands, as well as several other institutions of higher education. Due to its central position within the country, it is an important transport hub for both rail and road transport; it contains the busiest train station in the Netherlands, Utrecht Centraal. It has the second-highest number of cultural events in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. In 2012, Lonely Planet included Utrecht in the top 10 of the world's unsung places.
View region
Statistics 
60Amount of RX reviews (Utrecht)
41027Amount of visitors (Utrecht)
14341Amount of downloads (Utrecht)
Route Collections in this region The 10 most beautiful car and motorcycle routes in the Netherlands
These 10 routes in the Netherlands have been carefully selected, checked and made equal for TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation by a MyRoute-app RouteXpert. The 10 most beautiful motorcycle and car routes in the Netherlands are always a snapshot, and a personal opinion of the reviewer. This does not alter the fact that every lover of beautiful roads and interesting sights will enjoy these routes.
The ten routes are spread over 10 provinces, we only skipped Flevoland and South Holland. Interesting routes can also be found in the MyRoute app RouteXpert library, but we still want to stick to the 10 most beautiful and not the 12 most beautiful.
Enjoy the many fortresses and castles that are included in the routes, such as Fort Veldhuis in North Holland. But also take a look at the route southeast of Nijmegen and visit the impressive Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial. The route 'Overijssel in bird's eye view' includes the oldest house in the Netherlands and the route along the IJssel is probably the most beautiful piece of asphalt in the Netherlands.
This way there is something for everyone in this route collection. If you do not agree with these 10 routes, please send us an e-mail, indicate which route(s) should be removed and which route you would like to see instead. Maybe your route will be included in this collection of the 10 most beautiful routes in the Netherlands!
Email: info@myrouteapp.com
The ten routes are spread over 10 provinces, we only skipped Flevoland and South Holland. Interesting routes can also be found in the MyRoute app RouteXpert library, but we still want to stick to the 10 most beautiful and not the 12 most beautiful.
Enjoy the many fortresses and castles that are included in the routes, such as Fort Veldhuis in North Holland. But also take a look at the route southeast of Nijmegen and visit the impressive Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial. The route 'Overijssel in bird's eye view' includes the oldest house in the Netherlands and the route along the IJssel is probably the most beautiful piece of asphalt in the Netherlands.
This way there is something for everyone in this route collection. If you do not agree with these 10 routes, please send us an e-mail, indicate which route(s) should be removed and which route you would like to see instead. Maybe your route will be included in this collection of the 10 most beautiful routes in the Netherlands!
Email: info@myrouteapp.com
View Route Collection
The 10 most beautiful car and motorcycle routes in South Holland
South Holland, if you say South Holland, you say Rotterdam, you say the Port of Rotterdam, who doesn't know it? But not only this, South Holland is one of the most densely populated and industrialized areas in the world. Yet there is also plenty to do and see for everyone in this province. With 2 large cities, The Hague and Rotterdam, beautiful nature reserves and a rich history, South Holland offers something for everyone.
But apart from being one of the most densely populated and industrialized areas in the world, you can also discover South Holland by car or motorcycle! For this, the MyRoute app RouteXpert has compiled a Top 10 of Car and Motor Routes for you.
All routes in this collection have been checked and made equal for TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation by a RouteRpert MyRoute-app.
If you think so, I have a very nice route that should certainly not be missing from this collection, send it to:
email: routexpert@myrouteapp.com
Subject: New Route for the Top 10 collection Province of South Holland compiled by Hans van de Ven.
The route will then be reviewed and then added to the Top 10. To make the Top 10 also the Top 10, 1 route will have to disappear from the Top 10, you can indicate this when submitting the new route.
Have fun with this collection and while driving one of these routes. Enjoy all the beauty that the Netherlands and in particular the province of South Holland has to offer. Click on “View route” to read the review of the chosen route.
I would like to hear your findings about the route (s).
But apart from being one of the most densely populated and industrialized areas in the world, you can also discover South Holland by car or motorcycle! For this, the MyRoute app RouteXpert has compiled a Top 10 of Car and Motor Routes for you.
All routes in this collection have been checked and made equal for TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation by a RouteRpert MyRoute-app.
If you think so, I have a very nice route that should certainly not be missing from this collection, send it to:
email: routexpert@myrouteapp.com
Subject: New Route for the Top 10 collection Province of South Holland compiled by Hans van de Ven.
The route will then be reviewed and then added to the Top 10. To make the Top 10 also the Top 10, 1 route will have to disappear from the Top 10, you can indicate this when submitting the new route.
Have fun with this collection and while driving one of these routes. Enjoy all the beauty that the Netherlands and in particular the province of South Holland has to offer. Click on “View route” to read the review of the chosen route.
I would like to hear your findings about the route (s).
View Route Collection