Nijmegen, Ooij, Kekerdom

Push your feet firmly on the pedals and let yourself be enchanted by the green heart of the Ooijpolder and the wild beauty of the Millingerwaard. This cycle route takes you from Ooij along winding dikes, grassy floodplains and the meandering Waal. Among swaying reeds and grazing Galloway cattle, you can enjoy the beauty of nature.

You’ll pass the Circul van de Ooij, a reminder of the centuries-old water management in this area. The polder district, founded in 1580, played a crucial role in protecting the land from floods and regulating water levels.

Not much further on, you'll reach Ooijs Moois, a colourful picking garden where, in summer, you can pick your own flowers and fresh fruit. Fill your pannier with a cheerful bouquet or a box of juicy raspberries. A lovely stop for young and old alike.

Near Kekerdom, you’ll find the impressive Tree Monument: a group of around ten petrified tree trunks that are about 8,400 years old. They were pulled from the bed of the Waal and are silent witnesses of the ancient forests that once grew here. Their black silhouettes stand out beautifully against the blue sky and the green floodplains.

And always, there is the Waal. Powerful, full of life and ever-changing. Along the river, you might spot spoonbills, storks and even beavers as you follow the winding dikes. After today, you’ll have cycled through a truly unique part of the Netherlands, full of nature and rich history.