Discover the area near Rossum

Cycling along the Waal, crossing it twice and enjoying the beautiful floodplains, you will experience a wonderful day along the river with this cycling route! You also cycle at the top of the river through the west of the Betuwe. We know this area of course for its fruit orchards. In the spring you can enjoy the flowering fruit trees here, while in the summer and autumn you can buy fresh fruit everywhere along the road. The route starts in the small Nerijnen, a typical Gelderland river village, wedged between meadows, orchards and floodplains. Outside the dike there are willow banks and an old river course, the Kil van Waardenburg. The Waalbandijk, which must provide protection against the vagaries of the river, is an important point in the village. The two main streets, Voorstraat and Achterstraat - it couldn't be simpler - lead to it.

You will cycle on the Waalbanddijk for a large part of this route. Beautifully high above the river you have a view of the floodplains, the small ponds within the dike, also called 'kil' and of course the river that steadily makes its way through the endless lowlands. Just outside Nerijnen is the castle of the same name on the right. From the Waaldijk a wide avenue of oaks, beeches and elms leads to Neerijnen Castle, which is located on a beautiful estate. Less than a kilometer further along the dike you will find Waardenburg Castle. About half of this still consists of old parts such as towers and an original entrance, other parts were added after a restoration in the last century. Next to the castle is the Waardenburg corn mill from 1780.

Together with the motorists on the A2 you go to the other side of the river where a unique nature reserve is immediately on the agenda: the kil of Hurwenen. It is an international nature reserve that you are not allowed to enter because of the migratory birds that land there to forage. The area consists of an old river arm that has been cut off by human intervention. The old course of the river is still clearly visible in the landscape. Channels and sand holes that are created as a result form a true paradise for birds. Fortunately, you have a great view of the kil from the dike. You will certainly come across a bird watcher here, armed with a large binoculars, peering from the dike. If you feel like relaxing on a terrace, then there is good news. Near Rossum is Bistro In Petto, a super atmospheric restaurant with a lovely terrace overlooking the Waal. You see the boats coming and going and the water birds flying back and forth. A delicious cup of coffee with apple points is ready for you. Of course you can also join us for lunch.

Back on your bike you cross the Andries canal. What is special is that in this area the Waal and Maas almost touch each other. The canal forms a connection between the two rivers and water can be let in or out through a lock. The next village, Heerewaarden, borders the water on both sides and is built on a mound. Here you take the ferry again to the other side of the Waal. Via the small dike villages with beautiful farms attached to the dike, you cycle over the dike back to Nerijnen. With the river now on your left again, you can continue to enjoy the uninterrupted view and the tranquility of the river, which fortunately never flows turbulently in our lowlands, but makes its way wonderfully slowly.