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 meandering dikes, meadows and fields, moraines, forests, heaths, and watery or sparse grasslands.

The Ooijpolder is located in the northeast of the city as part of the Gelderse Poort, an important nature reserve in Gelderland near Nijmegen. Here too, flora and fauna is very diverse. On 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 swamp soil of the polder has dried up. The result is that more trees are now growing in the polder than before.

You cycle to the northeast, into the Ooijpolder. If you listen carefully, you may hear a black voice, bittern or great reed warbler whistling here, but there are also herds of Galloway cattle and Konik horses. Previously, the Ooypolder was used as a 'reserve' for the przewalski horse, which could therefore be released again in Mongolia.

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