Day out in Nijmegen and the Ooijpolder

In the area around the capital of the province of Gelderland, Arnhem, you can enjoy a wide variety of landscapes: floodplains with winding dikes, meadows and fields, moraines, forests, heaths, and watery or barren grasslands.

In the northeast of the city lies the Ooijpolder as part of the Gelderse Poort, an important nature reserve in Gelderland near Nijmegen. Here too, flora and fauna is very diverse. In the higher parts you will find a lot of sandy soil and shrubs, while in the lower parts many grasses grow in clay soil. Due to the water management, the original marshland of the polder has dried up. The result is that there are now more trees growing in the polder than before.

You cycle towards the northeast, into the Ooijpolder. If you listen closely, you might hear the whistling black voice, bittern or great reed warbler, but herds of Galloway cattle and Konik horses can also be seen. Previously, the Ooypolder was used as a'reserve\\\' for the Przewalski horse, which could be reintroduced into Mongolia.

From the wetland area you gradually move inland again, changing the landscape around you. Here you can get off the bike and enjoy the surroundings.