Many Rivers to Cross – Gelderland

‘Gelderland, Gelderland, Gelderland!’ The battle-cry of the squires in A Knight’s Tale as they support their hero, Ulrich von Lichtenstein (‘he’s blond, he’s funny, he makes me lots of money’ is the other chant than can be risked for a family audience, but others are funnier, and ruder!)

This is a mountain bikers paradise. In the 'River Region' of Gelderland you will find wide rivers, vast river forelands, high dikes (over which you often get to ride) and, beyond them, quaint little dike houses and small villages. Believe me, if two wheels are your thing, Gederland is the place to be – not only because of the rides which are flat and fast, or the scenery, which is lovely, or the beer, chocolate and cheese which are absolutely great, but for the wildlife. The birds, fish, eels and insects that make up the daily mosaic are fantastic and a good camera will give you a chance to take National Geographic quality shots, but also the occasional opportunity to come across wild pigs and roe deer, which can be found along the roads or drinking from the rivers. Point and click but don’t approach, particularly the pigs, which can be much bigger, faster and more aggressive than you think!

The best journey, from this writer’s experience is the Big River Route, which is found in the Bommelerwaard holme, wedged between the Maas and the Waal Rivers. This bicycle route is thirty-five kilometres long and completely signposted and if you start the trip at Zaltbommel you can even rent bicycles at the Zaltbommel train station.

Another good river route in this area is the Maas and Waal route, which takes you along river forelands, embankments and centuries-old villages. The route is fifty-eight kilometres long and if you rent bikes at the station, you’ll find your bike rental also includes the cost of the journey on a ferryboat that takes you to the far bank to continue your journey.

Gelderland photograph by bartbblom, used under a creative commons attribution licence

 

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