Those exploring Duiven on foot can choose from trails with very different routes: the DuivenPad is 6 km long and shares information about Duiven. The 16 km “Knooppad 4: Along the Rhine and Through Green Duiven” walking trail, by contrast, starts in Groessen, passes through Horsterpark and follows a green route to Duiven. The length, starting point and route give you a first idea when choosing your walk.
Dikes, meadows and river floodplains
The Kandiapad takes in the Rhine river landscape, dikes, the river embankment landscape, church paths and floodplains. It also leads through the Jezuïetenwaai, where cattle and Konik horses graze. Today, the Jezuïetenwaai is a river floodplain that provides space for nature to develop and is home to a wide variety of breeding birds. Along this trail, you’ll encounter both a shaped cultural landscape and an area where the importance of nature is especially visible.
The Husloapad offers a different sequence of landscape features: it crosses dikes, runs alongside Waas, passes through floodplains and crosses meadows. Along the way, it passes Havezate Loowaard, originally dating from the 15th century and located outside the dike, before continuing to Horsterpark. The routes therefore offer different highlights: the Kandiapad includes church paths and the JezuĂŻetenwaai, among other features, while the Husloapad takes in meadows and Waas.
Horsterpark has a wooded area with well-laid-out walking and cycling paths. The pond complex includes a small, hand-operated ferry. Children will also find a petting zoo, a playground and a gnome forest there. On the DuivenPad, meanwhile, learning about Duiven itself is part of the walk: its six kilometres combine walking with information about the town.
Historic houses and architecture
Huis Loowaard is the largest havezate in the Liemers. After a period of decline, it was restored in the 21st century. Havezate de Magerhorst can also be placed in its historical and architectural context through specific details: it was first mentioned in writing around 1400, while the house itself dates from the mid-16th century. Its stair tower has a sally port considered rare in the Netherlands.
In Groessen, the Sint-Andreaskerk is identifiable by two clearly distinct building periods: its Romanesque tower dates from the first half of the 12th century, while the late Gothic nave dates from around 1500. Huis Rijswijck is also part of Groessen’s historic heritage. The former fortified house was mentioned as early as 1328 and is a Rijksmonument; it is one of the Liemers’ old fortified houses. It is on private property and is not freely accessible to visitors.
Huis De Beerenclaauw in Groessen is a Rijksmonument on the site of a former havezate. You can view its exterior and tower from the public road. The surviving part of Molen De Welvaart can also be viewed from a public road. The landscape around Groessen is also characterised by meadows, orchards and old farmhouses.
Local traditions and attractions
The Grote Omdracht takes place annually in Groessen on Trinity Sunday, the Sunday after Pentecost. The exact date changes from year to year. Another opportunity to experience the area on foot is the annual four-day Avondvierdaagse. Its routes pass through Duiven, Groessen and Loo, and you can choose between three distances. Check the dates and registration details in advance.
Smaller attractions may also be of interest when planning your trip: the greenhouses and gardens of De Groene Schuur are fully accessible during opening hours. Children’s birthday parties, workshops and company outings are also organised there. Fruitkwekerij de Stokhorst sells home-grown fruit and vegetables all year round. Duiven and Groessen thus offer everything from walking trails and river landscapes to historic buildings, recurring events and locally grown produce.
Discover more destinations: Duiven, Groessen, Druten, Lingewaard, Zutphen, Oldebroek, Apeldoorn, Bronckhorst.
Back to the main travel overview: Gelderland.
