Land of Maas and Waal
Cycling in a typical Dutch river landscape with monumental buildings, duck decoys, floodplains, dikes and idyllic dike villages.
The Landscape
The Land of Maas and Waal embodies a quintessential Dutch river landscape nestled between two expansive rivers. Within this region, one discovers a tapestry of historical landmarks, outer polders, sleeper dikes, duck decoys, and wooded islets. The area's character has been molded by the formidable currents of the Maas and Waal rivers, reflecting centuries of human interaction with the water and terrain.
Vast floodplains, meandering dikes, and picturesque dike villages converge to form a picturesque panorama that epitomizes the rich history and fertile essence of the Dutch countryside. The Land of Maas and Waal beckons visitors seeking to traverse rustic, verdant terrain by bicycle. With every twist of the river and every facet of the landscape, a new narrative unfolds, awaiting exploration.
Estates and Heritage
Polders and Farmlands
Lakes and Ponds
Rivers and Streams
Cycle with us through past and present
Cycling stories about centuries of water management, social decline, and ruthless raiders
This video tells the story of a landscape shaped by water and time. The Land of Maas and Waal, nestled between two mighty rivers, has been forged by centuries of water management, social decline, plundering, and popular resistance. Along this 55-kilometre cycling route, you’ll ride past winding dikes, old farmyards, vanished settlements, and traces of the infamous Swartmaakers gang. Tip: Turn on the subtitles in the YouTube video to follow the story.
Route map
Start and finish near bike node 49 on the Blauwe Sluis in Appeltern. However, this bike route is a circular tour, so it offers the possibility to start from any of the following bike nodes.
49 - 28 - 25 - 26 - 20 - 21 - 24 - 80 - 81 - 86 - 87 - 59 - 13 - 23 - 27 - 16 - 92 - 36 - 70 - 73 - 56 - 55 - 89 - 49
