Elst brings together visible traces of Roman temples and opportunities for walking and recreation. When planning your visit, you can choose between Roman heritage, trails of varying lengths and activities on the water. The route distances help you distinguish between a short loop, a themed walk and a longer cycling route.
Roman Heritage and Cultural Heritage in Elst
At the Tempel-Kerkmuseum Elst, the remains of two Roman temples can be seen beneath the floor of the Grote Kerk. The larger temple was dedicated to Hercules Magusanus. As part of the Neder-Germaanse Limes, the museum has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021. Roman history can also be explored on the 3.9-kilometre Romeinse wandelroute Elst, which runs through the centre and focuses on this theme. The route passes the Grote Kerk, beneath which the foundations of Roman temples from two different periods have been preserved.
Another depiction can be found in Aamsepark: a life-size ground plan there represents the second Gallo-Roman temple, which was discovered in the Westerraam neighbourhood. In this way, Elst’s Roman heritage can be encountered in different forms—as preserved foundations beneath the Grote Kerk and as a depiction of the temple’s ground plan in the park.
The Paardenmarkt and Local Tradition
The Elster Paardenmarkt takes place on the first Monday in September and has been listed as intangible cultural heritage since 2014. At the foot of the Grote Kerk tower stands a bronze statue depicting the Paardenmarkt. You can take the event into account when planning your visit without making other experiences during your stay revolve around it.
Compare Walking and Cycling Routes
At 800 metres, the Rondje Van Langen is a short loop. It runs between the 1e Weteringse Wal and the crossing at Mozartstraat in Elst. A longer walking option is Waterrijk-West: this accessible family route is about three kilometres long and runs past reed beds and along the edge of the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen. It starts in the car park at Park Lingezegen on the 1e Weteringsewal in Elst. At approximately three kilometres, the route offers a different distance from the 800-metre Rondje.
For a longer cycle ride, the eastern section of the Kunstfietsroute Overbetuwe starts and ends at Landerij De Park in Elst; it is 27 kilometres long. The Romeinse Lint also offers a five-kilometre paved, raised loop for walking, running and inline skating. The distances and activities distinguish these options, so you do not have to combine them into a single route.
Water, Nature and Recreation
Waterrijk-West is a nature and recreation area with reed beds and walking trails. Canoeing is permitted there; purpose-built jetties also provide access to the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen and the Linge. As rules for using the water may change, check local notices before canoeing.
The Rijkerswoerdse Plassen are in Elst, on the edge of Arnhem-Zuid, and are described as a destination for a day trip. Activities offered there include swimming, cycling, walking, fishing and diving. Check local availability before planning a specific activity. This lets you plan the Plassen as a leisure option in its own right and tailor your choice to your interests.
Landerij De Park is on the Romeinse Lint in Park Lingezegen and offers a place to rest after walking or cycling through the park. You can explore the garden, the Struinpad, the maze, the waterwheel, the beehives and the butterfly garden. This selection complements the routes with a distinct point of interest and also makes Landerij De Park a specific landmark for the eastern section of the Kunstfietsroute.
Discover more destinations: Slijk-Ewijk, Hemmen, Randwijk.
For the regional travel overview: Overbetuwe.
