Hardinxveld-Giessendam: Rivers, Polders and Heritage

North of Hardinxveld-Giessendam are open polder landscapes and the River De Giessen; the Merwede lies to the south. Open spaces, nature, tranquillity and water are among the town’s key tourism assets. Walking trails, historic buildings and archaeological traces also reveal different aspects of the surrounding area.

Water and routes

Riveer foot and bicycle ferries connect Hardinxveld-Giessendam with Gorinchem, Sleeuwijk, Woudrichem and Werkendam. Timetables vary by season, so check the latest departure times before travelling. During the summer season, the ferry service also reaches Slot Loevestein and Fort Vuren in the historic Vestingdriehoek. For this connection too, it is advisable to check the latest travel information.

There are routes of varying lengths for walks and hikes. The Hagi Wandeltochten, held annually in March, offer routes of 3, 5 or 10 kilometres; check the dates of the next event in advance. The 8.75-kilometre Avelingenroute ANWB starts at the Avelingen car park in Boven-Hardinxveld and follows both unpaved and partly paved paths.

Another option is the 12.7-kilometre Verkenning Tiendweg Hardinxveld-Giessendam walk. It starts at Stationsweg railway station and runs along the edge of town and through the polder beside the Tiendweg. The seventh stage of the Pelgrimspad runs from Groot-Ammers to Boven-Hardinxveld railway station, ending there after 25.3 kilometres. The route lengths highlight the difference between a shorter walk and a longer stage; route details may change, so check the current route before setting out.

The wider landscape can also be explored by bicycle: the Fietsroute langs het bovenste Gat van het Zand connects Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Dussen and Werkendam and passes through the Biesbosch. Along the route, it is possible to switch from bicycle to boat. Check the latest route information and boat connection before setting off. For a boat trip starting in Giessenburg, visitors can rent a sloop or canoe and travel along the Giessen towards Hardinxveld. Providers and availability may change; check current offers in advance.

Museum and archaeological traces

Museum De Koperen Knop is housed in a listed farmhouse at Binnendams 6. The farmhouse dates from the 17th century; the museum tells the story of the Alblasserwaard region there and in its surroundings. The museum comprises a main building, a forge, a wheel-making workshop and an extensive garden. Visitors can see the current exhibition, cultural heritage and the museum garden. Exhibition content changes. Guided tours of the museum are available; groups may need to book in advance.

A reconstruction of Trijntje is also on display at the museum. The complete human skeleton, discovered during excavations on Polderweg, is about 7,500 years old and is considered the oldest complete skeleton ever found in the Netherlands. Settlement traces dating back more than 7,000 years were also discovered on Polderweg, on a former river dune known as a donk. A second excavated donk, De Bruin, is nearby.

Mills, buildings and local history

The Tiendwegse Molen at Giessendamse Tiendweg 1 is listed as a Rijksmonument and a water mill. It formerly drained the Binnentiendweg section of the Giessen Oude Benedenpolder polder in Giessendam. It also served as a beacon or signal mill for the Waterschap Nederwaard. The Hervormde Kerk, built in 1729, stands at Peulenstraat 234; its tower dates from 1821 and is a Rijksmonument.

Other historic buildings include De Koepel at Het Laantje 1: a hexagonal tea pavilion from the second half of the 19th century, with remnants of a park-like garden still preserved. De Wiel is a historic body of water formed in 1396 by a storm surge and a breached dike. These sites offer insight into different chapters in the architectural and landscape history of Hardinxveld-Giessendam.

Those who want to learn more about local history can access local archives, photo collections, newspaper records and genealogical materials at the Historical Information Centre of the Historical Association Hardinxveld-Giessendam. The association also offers a guided historical walk to places of historical significance.

Discover more destinations: Goeree-Overflakkee, Rozenburg, Gorinchem, Katwijk, Schiedam, Binnenmaas, Spijkenisse, Boskoop.

For the broader travel overview: South Holland.