Herkingen on Lake Grevelingen: Water, Nature and Culture

Water and practical orientation

Oude Haven Herkingen has been out of operation since November 2023 and remains closed to use. The Paardengat Creek itself is not accessible. However, the area can be viewed from the lookout point, and parking is available along the road. The WSV Herkingen clubhouse, 't Krabbennest, has showers and a washroom. For a day by the water, it is therefore important to distinguish between the closed harbor, the lookout point and the clubhouse. This distinction is relevant for planning on site: the lookout point and roadside parking are part of viewing the area from outside, not using the closed harbor or the inaccessible creek.

Nature along the creek network and on the Slikken

The landscape of Goeree-Overflakkee features a creek network with 38 creeks that developed from the 3rd century AD onward. Waders and waterfowl can be observed in the Paardengat nature reserve; the lookout point there also serves as a rest stop during a cycling or hiking tour. At Wildarena Zuid, visitors can observe Fjord horses, Heck cattle and Scottish Highland cattle at a watering place. Wildarena Zuid is a lookout point on the Slikken van Flakkee, from which dozens of species of waterfowl can be observed. During a tour, animal watching at a watering place and views across the Slikken can therefore be planned as separate stops.

Herkingen between heritage conservation and windmill history

The Visbank consists of four hardstone columns with a wooden tent roof and dates from the 17th century. It is registered as a Rijksmonument; old parts of a former post mill were reused in its construction. The Nederlands Hervormde Kerk at Scharloodijk 33 is a simple rectangular hall church dating from 1788, with round-arched windows and a small tower with an eight-sided spire. De Dankbaarheid is a round grain mill of the Grondzeiler type, the smallest mill on Goeree-Overflakkee and a windmill from 1841 registered as a Rijksmonument. The Visbank, Nederlands Hervormde Kerk and De Dankbaarheid differ in appearance through their columns and tent roof, round-arched windows and small tower, and round mill shape, respectively.

Routes, tea and the Jaarmarkt

The Wandelpuzzeltocht Herkingen involves completing the route through the Oud-Herkingen polder twice, covering 14.20 km. At 14.20 kilometers, the Wandelpuzzeltocht has a clearly defined distance. A separate time frame should therefore be planned for completing the full route; it is not a short detour. The full route requires different day planning than a short walk through the village. The terrace and pavilion are open from Friday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Jaarmarkt Herkingen is held on the second Saturday in July.

Further information about the area: Dirksland.

To the higher-level travel overview: Dirksland.