The Grebbeberg marks the abrupt end of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and is the easternmost hill of the push moraine ridge. With an elevation difference of more than 50 metres, it offers views of the Blauwe Kamer, the Nederrijn and the Betuwe. Marked walking trails cross the hill; check local access conditions before your trip.
River landscapes and trails
The Blauwe Kamer nature area is near Rhenen. There, the Nederrijn flows freely, so the landscape is constantly changing. Signposted walking trails are suitable for adults and children; a wheelchair path leads to a viewpoint. Check the conditions on the path before your visit. Parking at the Blauwe Kamer is limited, so visitors are asked to travel by bicycle if possible. Check the latest access information in advance.
Kwintelooijen has marked walking trails of 1.5 and 3 kilometres, as well as a 2.7-kilometre mountain bike route. The two walking trails are different lengths. Kwintelooijen is accessible year-round from sunrise to sunset. Before setting out, check whether any temporary restrictions apply.
Another route passes through Plantage Willem III, which is part of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park. The 4-kilometre walk crosses hilly terrain through woodland and open countryside. It includes a long, gradual ascent and descent. The route details and description of the terrain give you specific information to help you choose a walk.
Exercise and cultural landscape
The Willem Sanders Trimbaan is a 1-kilometre forest loop with wooden exercise equipment. Rhenen also has an exercise route through the town and one through the forest. Posts along both routes have QR codes that open exercise videos. The options differ not only in length, but also in what they offer along the way: a forest loop with equipment, or routes with video exercises.
The Grift en Graftenpad passes through the agricultural countryside around Rhenen, over the Laarsenberg and along the Grift. The trail takes its name from the graften on the Laarsenberg: vegetated terraces on the hillside that probably date back to the Middle Ages. Along the route, you can see both the present-day cultural landscape and an older trace of its shaping, whose date is not known with certainty.
Church, museum and history
In the Middle Ages, the Cunerakerk became an important pilgrimage church, associated with the relics of Saint Cunera. Its 82-metre-high tower defines its architecture; inside, you can also see a rare surviving Renaissance rood screen dating from around 1550. The church is free to enter outside of events and activities. A staff member on site can tell you about its history and use. Check the current events calendar before your visit.
The Stadsmuseum Rhenen brings together archaeology, local history and art under three themes: treasures, conflict and beauty. Exhibits include a Bronze Age burial vessel found on the Koerheuvel in Rhenen, dating back around 2,800 years. This find offers a tangible insight into the town’s distant past.
The Grebbelinie Information Centre has an exhibition dedicated to the battles of May 1940. It focuses on the fighting around the Grebbeberg and other events in the Netherlands. The centre was renovated in 2025.
Animal encounters and getting around
At Ouwehands Dierenpark, the experiences described include close encounters with polar bears, the indoor RavotAapia jungle playground and the Expeditie Berenbos adventure area. Pandasia offers encounters with giant pandas Wu Wen and Xing Ya, as well as other Asian animal species, in a traditionally Chinese-inspired setting. As visitor arrangements and animal presentations may change, check the latest information before your visit. The park is also accessible to people with disabilities and wheelchair users; check the current facilities in advance.
TOP Rhenen Centrum is in the historic centre and serves as a starting point for exploring the landscapes of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the Rhine. Two cycling routes have different waypoints: Fietsen langs de Rijn near Rhenen includes two ferry crossings of the river. Check ferry availability, as it may vary by season or operation. Klimmen bij Veenendaal passes through Veenendaal, medieval Rhenen and Elst.
Discover more destinations: Elst, Rhenen, Bunnik, De Ronde Venen, Veenendaal, Montfoort, Wijk Bij Duurstede, Maarssen.
For the overview of the wider region: Utrecht.
