Through hill and valley near Nijmegen

This route takes you to the beautiful countryside of Nijmegen. The varied walk starts in the Duivelsberg nature reserve in Berg en Dal. This area is characterized by high hills and deep valleys. The fresh deciduous forest, where mainly sweet chestnut grows, is intersected by a babbling mountain stream. As soon as you leave the woods, you have a beautiful view from the slope over the Wijlermeer, the Ooijpolder and the Waal, which meanders through the landscape here. You slow down almost unnoticed to take in this natural beauty. The Wijlermeer is an old course of the Rhine. The lake was originally entirely German, but was partly annexed by the Netherlands. You walk a short distance along the northern part of the lake that now forms the border between the Netherlands and Germany. The Wijlermeer is an important wintering area for waterfowl such as the clam, the goosander, black tern and common teal. In the Ooijpolder you cross a former swamp area. You will see some authentic terp farms that remind you of the time when the dikes offered less security against the rising river water. You make a circle where you pass the edge of the village of Ooij. Previously you had a view of the polder from above, now you can see from the lower part very nicely how Nijmegen and the surrounding hills rise up in the landscape. The last part of the route you make a small climb back to the Duivelsberg. There are several stories about this name. One dates from the time when people were still digging in the Ooijpolder and people with heavy packs had to swear across the mountain. Fortunately, you now walk up as a tourist, so you can enjoy the surroundings. Pannenkoekenrestaurant De Duivelsberg is located at the start and end point. For more than fifty years you have been able to enjoy a delicious traditional Dutch pancake in the middle of the forest. In front of the restaurant is a beautiful terrace with a view of the playground. A wonderful idea to start or end your walk. Or both, because the menu has more than eighty different pancakes.