Beneath the floor of the Grote Kerk in Elst, the remains of two Roman temples have been preserved. The larger one was dedicated to Hercules Magusanus. This archaeological trace provides a tangible starting point for the region’s history. Trails and museums lead from Roman times to the battles of the Second World War; river landscapes and historic waterworks reveal other facets of Overbetuwe.
Roman Traces and History
At the Tempel-Kerkmuseum Elst, the remains beneath the floor of the Grote Kerk have been preserved. Guided tours of the temple remains are offered at set times or by appointment. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit. The Limes Route also leads to a Roman trace in Elst: the Roman road Driel–Elst at Grote Molenstraat 150. It starts and ends at the car park at Landerij De Park, De Park 12, Elst. The temple remains and the road site are two distinct points of connection to Roman history.
The paardenmarkt is held annually on the first Monday in September and attracts tens of thousands of visitors. If you’re travelling around this date, check the specific event arrangements in advance.
The Betuws Oorlogsmuseum “The Island” 1944–1945 provides an overview of the Betuwe in 1944 and 1945. Among other things, uniforms worn by Allied and German soldiers are on display. The museum also records that 16 different nationalities fought in this area. While this museum focuses on the history of the Betuwe, the “The Poles of Driel” Information Centre focuses on the battles of the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade during Operation Market Garden.
The approximately 6-kilometre “The Poles of Driel” walking route starts and ends at the information centre. It passes wartime landing sites and the headquarters of Major General Sosabowski. Another historical route is “Heteren viert vrijheid”: this 7-kilometre walk passes places where Allied aircraft crashed during the Second World War. It is part of the walking trail network and can be followed using orange arrows. Before setting out, check the current route.
Walks Between Nature and Waterworks
The walking routes differ in both their landscapes and their length. Rondje Homoet is 5.2 kilometres long and follows natural trails through the Hollanderbroek. Ommetje De Park is more than 3 kilometres long and passes numerous attractions at Landerij De Park. The Groene Loper is a 4-kilometre circular route along maintenance paths and hedges in four food forests in the park. Each of the three routes has a different focus: nature trails, attractions, or a loop through a landscape of hedges and food forests.
Rondje Heteren combines two walks and passes through the uiterwaarden of the Nederrijn near Heteren. The route illustrates historic approaches to water management through a kolk, riverside embankment development, and dikes. It also includes a Slapersdijk: a reserve dike behind a newer, higher dike that lies closer to the river. The Peperbus, a freestanding church tower with walls up to 140 centimetres thick, stands along the same walking route. Here, historic waterscapes and architectural history come together.
River Landscapes and Local Discoveries
The redeveloped Loenensche Buitenpolder provides a marshy, grass-rich habitat for the spotted crake and the corncrake. The more than 100-hectare Strandpark Slijk-Ewijk was created through sand extraction. A 2020 brochure describes it as having facilities for beach and water recreation, including sunbathing, swimming, and playing. Check the current access and usage conditions before your visit.
Ferries are also part of getting around the Nederrijn. The Lexkesveer connects Randwijk and Wageningen across the river; the bicycle and pedestrian ferry at Driel connects Driel with Doorwerth and Oosterbeek. Both operate year-round. Check the schedules and operating conditions before travelling.
For a quieter stroll, visit Kasteeltuin Hemmen among the flowers and plants; admission is free. Check seasonal access information before your visit. Museumboerderij Den Tip offers a glimpse of rural life in the Betuwe. You can also pick fruit and nuts free of charge from fruit and nut trees at various locations in the municipality of Overbetuwe. This is a seasonal option; check the municipality’s information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Elst, Slijk-Ewijk, Hemmen, Randwijk, Zutphen, West Maas En Waal, Zevenaar, Ermelo.
For the regional travel overview: Gelderland.
