Exploring the head of the Rhine Delta

Distance: 47 or 35 km

Cycling along the dyke near Nijmegen. Photo © Holland-Cycling.comCycling along the dyke near Nijmegen. Photo © Holland-Cycling.com

This route takes you along the banks of the River Waal to the German border and the head of the Rhine Delta. Highlight of the route is the oldest town of Holland, Nijmegen, which played a crucial role in WWII.

From the cycle bridge over the River Waal, you get lovely views over Nijmegen. Via the villages of Lent and Gendt you cycle along the north bank of the river to Doornenburg, where you can visit the medieval castle and Fort Pannerden. At Millingen you take a ferry to the south bank of the river, which you follow back to Nijmegen, passing through nature reserves Millingerwaard and Ooijpolder. Here you’ll see the floodplains at their best. A must for nature lovers and bird spotters!

Alternative route for high water

The ferry at Millingen doesn’t run if the water is too high. The next crossing is the bridge in Emmerich, 15 km further upstream. If you don’t fancy the detour, you’ll have to take the same way back and cross the river at Nijmegen.

Depending on how high the water is, part of the cycle paths through the Ooijpolder and Millingerwaard might be closed off and you’ll have to stay on the dyke. Don’t let this prevent you from cycling this route. The landscape is quite spectacular when the river’s flooded and the dyke provides you with splendid views!

Nijmegen Cycle Route

Distance: 47 km (3h00) or 35 km (2h15)
Type of route: Day trip, round trip
Starting point:

Nijmegen train station
- Bicycle rental
- Car parking

GPS: Download this route as a GPX file.

Find out more:

- For an overview of all of our must-do cycle routes, go to: Day trips.
- Also try our Arnhem Airborne Cycle Route.
- Do you need to rent a bike? Find out how on our Bicycle rental page.
- For an overview of cycling holidays that include Nijmegen, go to our Holidays section.
 

Other WWII related cycle routes:

- Arnhem Airborne Cycle Route - A bridge too far
- Camp Westerbork Cycle Route - In the footsteps of Anne Frank
- Vlissingen Cycle Route - Exploring the Walcheren peninsula (south)

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