In the municipality of Druten, a landscape shaped by the river meets traces of brickmaking. When planning your trip, you can choose between walking and cycling routes, nature experiences and places where industrial history is visible. Route lengths and seasonal offerings also vary, so you can tailor your stay to the activities you have in mind.
Waal scenery and routes
The area outside the municipality’s towns is characterized by farmland, expansive meadows and dikes along the Waal. Remnants of old river bends add to the landscape. This combination provides a distinctive setting for walking and cycling routes, although not every route passes the same landscape features.
The Druten walking network consists of themed, color-coded routes and choice points marked with letter-number combinations. The routes are clearly signposted and therefore easy to follow. The area outside the municipality also has cycling junction routes, farm walks, walking trails and art and monument routes. In Drutens Bosje, a cycling route between junctions 12 and 92 forms part of the national cycling junction network.
Brickmaking history, explored in different ways
The Achtje van Druten passes reminders of water, clay extraction and the brick and roof-tile industry. The route starts and ends at the Oostersteeg exhibition space in Druten. In high water, the Waalbandijk can be used; check the route before setting out.
Another way to explore brickmaking history is the Kleigoedroute. This 6 km themed walk passes, among other places, clay pits, Drutens Bosje, former brickworks sites, the old railway line and workers’ houses with glazed bricks. The shorter Kleigoedroute is 2 km long. This gives you a choice of different route lengths when planning your trip. A puzzle walk of about 5 km through Druten offers a different focus: it passes 19 numbered photo panels on brown posts and includes activities for children.
Individual buildings also tell this story. De Drie Waaien is a stone gallery windmill built in 1869 to grind grain. Steenfabriek Vogelensangh was built in 1919 and has the last coal-fired Hoffmann kiln in the Netherlands. Bricks are made there from river clay using hand molds or molding boxes. The four adjoining houses known as Vier arbeidershuisjes Dericks en Geldens were once workers’ houses for the Dericks en Geldens brickworks.
At KLeiGoed Maas en Waal, you can visit an exhibition of unique decorative ceramic objects free of charge; experienced guides are available. Guided monument walks with a short presentation are also offered. If you would like to plan one of these walks, check availability in advance.
Nature and outdoor activities at Drutens Bosje
Drutens Bosje has informal trails, exercise equipment, a Cooper running course, and walking and cycling routes. A dedicated children’s area includes climbing mounds, climbing poles, log paths, a zip line and a large grassy area. It offers a variety of ways to be active, from a walk along the paths to play in the children’s area.
At Heemtuin Druten, you can experience the wild flora, fauna and vegetation of the river region. It has been open to everyone who enjoys these things since the early 1980s. Plants, shrubs and trees originally native to the Gelders River Region attract birds, insects and amphibians. Mushrooms also grow there. Activities include walking, picnicking, looking for mushrooms and picking apples. If you plan to pick apples, take the season into account.
Afferdense en Deestse Waarden and Drutense Waarden are nature areas in the municipality of Druten where visitors can experience local flora and fauna. Together with the Heemtuin and routes through the surrounding countryside, they offer a nature-focused alternative to the sites connected with brickmaking history.
Seasonal offerings and visitor information
Experiences at Landwinkel and Fruittuin De Zandroos also vary with the seasons: in spring, you can enjoy the blossom; in summer, buy or enjoy cherries and strawberries; and in autumn, pick apples. You can shop at the farm store from mid-November. Since harvests and blossom depend on the season, it is a good idea to check the timing before your trip.
The Pontje D'n Overkant connects Druten and Dodewaard across the Waal. It can carry 24 passengers, with or without bicycles. The ferry operates seasonally and services may change, so check the crossing before travelling. HIP & TIP is a source of information on cycling and walking routes, ferries, historic buildings, events, exhibitions and performances. Check local opening details before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Druten, Puiflijk, Oost Gelre, Nunspeet, Beuningen, Putten, Overbetuwe, Neder-Betuwe.
For the overarching travel guide: Gelderland.
