The natural island of Sophiapolder is located in the middle of the tidal river De Noord. You can only get there with a foot ferry for a 2.5 kilometer walk over decking and dikes. Transfer for free and enjoy nature.
To get to the island, the voluntary skippers of the Zuid-Hollands Landschap are happy to transfer you with a foot ferry. The crossing takes 5 to 10 minutes and it can carry a maximum of 10 passengers.
The area with sandbanks and creeks is constantly changing under the influence of the tide. The nutrient-rich mud plates act like a magnet for birds such as avocet, redshank, shelduck and green-legged rider. Spoonbills often wade in the creeks. With their spoon-shaped bill they catch food from the water in a zigzagging manner. Greylag goose and Canada goose can be seen on the island all year round.
On the higher ground, field thistle, royal herb, St. John's wort and loosestrife grow. Plants that attract many insects. So keep an eye out for beautiful butterflies and different types of bumblebees and bees. Water speedwell, reed and spindotter grow in the wet parts, which have striking yellow flowers in the spring. This plant disappears completely under water at high tide, at low tide the green and yellow leaves are still covered by a thin layer of mud.
The island was created in the 14th century by silting up in the North River. Around 1850, one of the sandbanks was reclaimed and named after Queen Sophia, the wife of King Willem III. Around 1900, the Sophiapolder came into agricultural use, while a shipbreaking yard arose on the Rietbaan. At high tide, discarded seagoing vessels sail up the reed lane. The demolition work caused enormous pollution. In 1996 it was decided that the 77 hectare Sophiapolder would become nature to compensate for the construction of the Betuweroute. The shipwrecks were cleared, the bottom cleaned up and the freight trains now rumble about 25 meters under your feet. The Sophia railway tunnel is eight kilometers long.
Translated by Google •
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