Holiday apartment in Ochten: Waal floodplains, paths and history

For a trip to Ochten, nature and history stand closely side by side. Because of its location on the Waal, the village has historically been affected by flooding and threats to the dikes; in 1995, the village had to be evacuated because the Waal dike was in danger of collapsing. An inundation sluice on the Uchtapad commemorates the May battles of 1940, when parts of the Betuwe were flooded as a defensive measure.

Holiday apartment in Ochten between the Waal floodplains and paths

The Uchtapad runs through the Waal floodplains, across dikes and past pools in the countryside around Ochten in the municipality of Neder-Betuwe. The Waterroute: Betuwe is 12.5 km long and leads from Ochten via the Waalbanddijk into the floodplains of the Betuwe; almost 5 km run through a varied natural area. The Waterroute: Betuwe also starts at the TOP Nationaal-Fruitpark Hotel & Spa.

Circular routes and changing trail conditions

Rondje Ochten is one of three signposted circular routes around Ochten. During wet periods, the section of the Uchtapad through the Gouveneurspolder and the Ochtense Buitenpolder can be very muddy or under water. Alternatively, you can walk along the dike beside the Oude Veerweg and the Waalbanddijk. This means that when planning your day, you can choose between the affected section and the dike route.

Wartime history and farmhouses in the village landscape

The Monument voor het 44e Regiment Infanterie in Ochten commemorates 19 soldiers of this regiment who fell in combat against the occupying forces during the May battles of 1940. Ochten's village centre was largely destroyed by heavy Allied shelling in September 1944 and was almost completely rebuilt after the war.

The present-day Hervormde Kerk in Ochten was built in 1951 and brought into use in 1952, after its predecessor had been too badly damaged during the war. At Liniestraat 3 stands a plastered farmhouse from the 18th century with a thatched half-hipped roof. At 44 R I-straat 10 stands a plastered 18th-century farmhouse with a T-shaped floor plan; the residential house has a thatched hipped roof.

Nationaal Fruitpark Ochten: Fruit growing, nature and mini golf

At Nationaal Fruitpark Ochten, the barefoot trail at the frog ponds features more than 30 different surfaces; there is also a mini-golf course. The park began in 2010 with the aim of teaching visitors about fruit growing and fostering respect for nature and culture. It is managed organically. Nationaal Fruitpark Ochten and the mini-golf course are open every day of the year from 10:00 to 20:00. These fixed daily opening hours provide a clear timeframe for a visit to the park during the day.

You can supplement your travel plans with other places: Echteld, Kesteren and Opheusden.

For the higher-level travel overview: Neder-Betuwe.