TOP Kersenpracht Cothen

Between the eighth and eleventh centuries, small sprawling brink villages arose on the south side of the Kromme Rijn river - mostly in its inner bends: Bunnik, Odijk, Werkhoven and Cothen. The village of Cothen has a still well-preserved Brink. Its silhouette is defined by the church tower of St Peter and Paul church and the upright corn mill Oog in 't Zeil from 1869. The old part of Cothen is designated as a protected village sight. Cothen's identity is largely determined by fruit cultivation.

Cultural heritage

Cherry Museum
The Cherry Museum offers an insight into the history, varieties, cultivation and orchards of the cherry. You will find the authentic auction clock of the Wijk bij Duurstede fruit auction, the original benches and other objects from the inventory. In the reconstructed auction room, visitors can practice the art of bidding for the best sale using the auction game.

Cherry Festival
The annual two-day Cherry Festival attracts visitors from home and abroad. Set up to propagate all facets of cherry growing. A must for young and old. Old hands in the trade turn out to be born storytellers. And know better than anyone that the weather gods - from blossom to harvest - have the last word.

Rhijnestein castle
The castle is located just east of the old village centre of Cothen, on the north side of the Kromme Rijn river. The complex consists of a medieval residential tower, with a residential wing and a second tower against it, both from the 19th century. The castle stands with its frontage at right angles to the Kromme Rijn. A possibly original 14th-century gatehouse marks the entrance.

Tastemakers
Local entrepreneurs! Take the fruit grower who initiated the Cherry Festival and owns the Cherry Museum. Or family restaurant De Jonge Graaf, which traditionally bakes pancakes with milk and cheese from the Brienenshof farm and flour from the Molen from Cothen. Everything as local as possible.

Besides the named cycling routes, there are numerous other routes in the vicinity of Cothen. Stop by family restaurant De Jonge Graaf or the Cherry Museum for more ideas.

From this TOP, you can cycle the route below:

One of the cycling routes you will find on the route map is the Bloesem bicycle route (35 km) This route takes you through the area between Houten and Wijk bij Duurstede on both sides of the Amsterdam Rhine Canal. Along the way, you will see many special places of the Kromme Rijnstreek, such as cheese farm De Ossenwaard, Kasteel Wickenburgh, the Cherry Museum and many fruit orchards. The route starts at TOP Stadshaven Wijk bij Duurstede and follows the cycle junction network.

The Doornse Kaap and Austerlitz cycle route (48 km) takes you both through the Kromme Rijn region and across the wooded Utrechtse Heuvelrug; the best of both worlds!

Besides the named cycling routes, there are numerous other routes in the vicinity of Cothen. Stop by the Young Count or the Cherry Museum for more ideas

You can also put together your own cycle route along the existing cycle junctions. Need a break? Welcome to one of the establishments along the routes or the historical city centre of Wijk bij Duurstede.

From this TOP, you can walk the routes below:

Rondje Kersenpracht (8 km)
Beautiful walking route around Cothen. Walk this route in spring when the fruit trees are in bloom and you can enjoy the beautiful and fragrant blossoms. In summer and autumn it is cherry time and you can buy fruit from various cherry stalls in the area. This route follows the walking junction network. Follow the nodes: 11 - 14 - 55 - 86 - 87 - 88 - 46 - 41- 89.

Gerrit Achterbergpad (11 km)
Walking in the footsteps of Gerrit Achterberg. Over Sandenburg estate, through forests and along the foot of the Heuvelrug. Characteristic of the area is the rare ash coppice with moss species, 20 of which are very rare in Europe. Along the route you will find a selection of poems chiselled in stone by the famous poet.

Canoe route
A sporty exploration of the Kromme Rijn area by Canadian canoe. Family restaurant De Jonge Graaf has set out a 3-hour route through the area. Past castles, authentic farms and old standard fruit trees. For refreshments along the way, ask for the possibilities. Life jackets for toddlers are on board.

On-site facilities

• Canoe rental
• Charging point electric bicycle
• Horeca

Accessibility OV
TOP Kersenpracht Cothen is accessible by public transport, 7 days a week, with a minimum frequency of 1 per hour.