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! In addition, you cycle at the top of the river through the west of the Betuwe. We know this area of course from the fruit orchards. In the spring you can enjoy the flowering fruit trees here, while in the summer and autumn you can buy fresh fruit anywhere along the road. The route starts in small Nerijnen, a typical Gelderland river village, sandwiched between meadows, orchards and floodplains. Outside the dike are willow pilot whales and an old river course, the Kil van Waardenburg. The Waalbanddijk, which should provide protection against the vagaries of the river, is an important point in the village. The two main streets, the Voorstraat and the 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 inner-dike puddles, also called'kil\\\' and of course the river that steadily makes its way through the endless lowlands. Just outside Nerijnen you will find the castle of the same name on the right. From the Waaldijk a wide avenue of oaks, beech and elms leads to Neerijnen Castle, which is located on a beautiful estate. Less than a kilometer away on the dike you will find Castle Waardenburg. About half of this still consists of old parts such as towers and an original entrance, other parts have been added after a restoration in the last century. Next to the castle is the corn mill Waardenburg 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 program: the kil van Hurwenen. It is an international nature reserve that you are not allowed to enter because of the migratory birds that settle there to forage. The area consists of an old estuary that has been cut off by human intervention. The old course of the river is still clearly visible in the landscape. Gully and sand holes created by this, 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 armed with a large binoculars peering from the dike. If you feel like sitting down on a terrace, there is good news. Bistro In Petto is located near Rossum, a super atmospheric restaurant with a lovely terrace overlooking the Waal. You see the boats come and go and the water birds fly back and forth. A delicious cup of coffee with apple point is waiting for you. You can of course also join us for lunch.

Back on your bike you cross the canal of Andries. What is special is that in this area 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 sluice. The next village, Heerewaarden, borders the water on both sides and is built on a mound. Here you take the pound to the other side of the Waal. Via the small dike villages with beautiful farms that are glued to the dike, you cycle back to Nerijnen over the dike. With the river on your left again, you can continue to enjoy the uninterrupted view and the tranquility of the river that fortunately never flows impetuously in our lowlands, but makes its way wonderfully slowly.