Holiday home in Neder-Betuwe: river landscapes, dikes and trails

Neder-Betuwe has a river landscape with wide views, sweeping dikes and monuments that is particularly suitable for cycling, hiking and rambling. Between the Nederrijn and Waal, trails through floodplains connect with traces of the area's landscape and military history.

Hiking

The Heuzesepad trail runs near Opheusden through rivers, floodplains and the river dune landscape with centuries-old fruit and tree cultivation. The hike is available in lengths of 10, 11 and 14 kilometres. The starting point is the car park at the Roman watchtower De Spees, near Rijnbandijk 139b in Opheusden. A replica watchtower there refers to the time when the Roman northern frontier ran through this area. You can hike at De Spees in all seasons, provided the water level is not too high.

The Marspad trail runs around Kesteren through the river dune landscape, along old riverbeds and sweeping dikes, as well as through an area with tree nurseries. The route includes the Rhenen-Lienden ferry; alternatively, you can take the shortened route without the ferry.

The Uchtapad offers 7- or 12-kilometre hikes through the Waal floodplains, across dikes and along kolks around Ochten and Eldik. The trail passes an inundation lock that recalls the May days of 1940, when parts of the Betuwe were flooded for defence purposes. The Hiensepad offers hikes of 8, 12 or 14 kilometres through Dodewaard, Hien and Wely, including through the Waal floodplains and the Hiensche Uiterwaarden. It passes the Kolk van de Geer, which is considered a scar left by a flood.

Around Echteld, the Wijenburgsepad passes the site where the vanished village of Ooij once stood and runs along a centuries-old castle, impressive locks and extensive floodplains. The Spanjaardspad XL follows a large part of the Maurits Line, also known as the Oranje Limes, and connects several klompenpaden. It also runs through the rural area of the municipality of Neder-Betuwe along the Nederrijn and Waal, old defensive structures, floodplains and the river dune landscape with centuries-old fruit and tree cultivation.

Cycling

The Laanboomroute Betuwe runs through Neder-Betuwe, Overbetuwe and Buren, passing landscapes, tree-growing areas, terraces and welcoming dining and leisure facilities. The Doorbraakkolkenroute Neder-Betuwe is 60 kilometres long and can be shortened to 30 or 36 kilometres.

History

The Doorbraakkolken, also called wielen or waaien, are monumental landscapes created by breaches in the dikes. In the municipality of Neder-Betuwe, 21 Doorbraakkolken have been identified; these are also called wielen. The visible fortification at De Spees is a Rijksmonument and part of the extension of the Grebbe Line.

Nature and treats

De Spees is a river floodplain on the southern side of the Nederrijn. In this area, large expanses of water created by gravel and clay extraction provide a habitat for many waterbirds. At the organically managed Nationaal Fruitpark Ochten, visitors can experience an orchard, learn about standard orchards with fruit such as plums, cherries and pears, and sample fruit and other treats offered there.

The FietStop at the Veerhuis in Opheusden offers free parking, food and drinks, electric bicycle charging and minor bicycle repairs. TOP Fruitpark Ochten offers free parking, toilets, a restaurant and charging facilities for bicycles and cars.

Ferries

The ferry between Opheusden and Wageningen crosses the Nederrijn every day of the year, from morning until evening. The Dodewaard-Druten bicycle and pedestrian ferry operates across the Waal on weekends from April to September and daily during the summer months.

Other places

Other place pages in the destination area: Kesteren, Echteld, Opheusden, Ochten.

To the overview of destinations above: Gelderland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Montferland, Overbetuwe, Apeldoorn, Lochem.