Prins Alexander Rotterdam – All our local tips

Under the Van Brienenoord bridge lies a long island created by sludge piling up in the bend of the river the Maas since the beginning of the 19th century. There was a lot of forest until the second worldwar, when the Germans used the trunks to keep aeroplanes from landing. What was left ended in the fires during the winter of starvation.

Nowadays it’s a natural island again. There are some holiday gardens here, scouting buildings and the remains of a dock to built the metro-tunnel. But still it is very green. In the summertime Highland Cattle walks around free. At the East side the ground has been washed down. And instead of rebuilding it, they made a bridge to go over it and enjoy this miniature swamp.

During my bike tours I saw this island from the bridge above. I know I had to be able to go there, as I saw the little bridge, the sheds at the gardens and people walking. But I didn’t know the entrance. It took me some time to figure out. I have toured the island a couple of times, although the terrain is sometimes too rough for less than an ATB (All Terrain Bike).

One time I came eye to eye with one of those Scottish cows. I had no idea if they were harmless or not, and I hesitated a little. The road was very near, so I had to pass on a very short distance. I did survive and do not especially praise my cowardliness, just the average city girl.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Island van Brienenoord | Relaxing | Free
Brienenoord | Prins Alexander
24 hours daily

Once upon a time there was this river flowing into the Maas. It was called the Rotte. They made a dam where a little settlement was founded. It was called Rotterdam. And so it all began. Now the Rotte stops before really entering the center of Rotterdam and the Maas is best know in Rotterdam. So where is this Rotte? Well, it’s still there. It still runs through Rotterdam North. It has some floating art and house boats which are nice to watch.

But things get really interesting once you get at the Linker Rottekade and Rechter Rottekade. It is a relaxing biking and walking route and it leads you to the Rottermeren, a real paradise of water recreation. It’s quite a long route to go walking all the way, since the Rotte runs all the way to Moerkerke, But the surroundings are very nice.

My grandparents had a boat when I was young and in the summertime I spent a couple of weeks aboard going through the Netherlands. I have been in and on the Rottemeren since I was very young. I went there some months ago with a friend and our kids for a bike tour. My son was very proud to have biked more then 40km that day. We could have made it longer, but we enjoyed taking the ferryboat to the other side and bike back from there. It was very crowded with bikers and pedestrians. There were also some bike racers, but I do not recommend that here, it is simply too crowded.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Rotte & Rottemeren | Relaxing | Free
Linker- & Recher Rottekade | Prins Alexander
24 hours daily