Rhenen combines cultural history with nature and hiking experiences: the Cuneratoren provides a historic focal point, while Kwintelooijen, the Blauwe Kamer and the Grebbeberg offer different landscapes and trail lengths. Ouwehands Dierenpark rounds out the offering with animal encounters and special experience areas. You can tailor your stay to culture, river landscapes, hiking or the wildlife park.
Culture and Getting Your Bearings
The Cuneratoren was built between 1492 and 1531 and is 82 metres tall. If you would like to take in historic architecture as well as landscapes on your trip, you can make the tower a focal point in its own right.
TOP Rhenen Centrum is located in Rhenen’s historic centre and is a starting point for exploring the forest landscape of the Heuvelrug and the river landscape shaped by the Rhine. This gives you two distinct natural settings to choose from: forest and river. When planning, you can decide which landscape interests you most.
Hikes and Nature Areas
Part of Kwintelooijen is a protected nature area. Kwintelooijen has marked hiking trails of 1.5 and 3 kilometres, as well as a 2.7-kilometre mountain biking trail. The longer of the two hikes is twice as long as the shorter one. The mountain biking trail is a separate option for anyone who would rather choose an activity than base their choice solely on distance.
The Blauwe Kamer is a protected riverside reserve on the Rhine between Rhenen and Wageningen. A short walk takes you through wild riverside nature, with marshland, willow woodland, flower-rich meadows and an old brickworks. You may encounter Konik horses and Galloway cattle along the way; the animals keep the area open. The walk brings together different landscape features and the old brickworks in a single nature experience.
The Grebbeberg is part of Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug. There are several viewpoints along its steep slope down to the Nederrijn. A 13-kilometre hiking route on the Grebbeberg offers views over the Nederrijn and the Betuwe; it includes a climb with 200 steps. Compared with the 1.5- and 3-kilometre hikes at Kwintelooijen, this is a considerably longer route. The viewpoints and the climb up the steps give the route its own particular highlights.
Landgoed Prattenburg has various hiking trails and circular walks throughout the year. Cycling and mountain biking are prohibited there. If you include this estate in your plans, bear this restriction in mind when choosing an activity.
Wildlife Experiences and Getting There
Ouwehands Dierenpark offers encounters with polar bears, the covered adventure play area RavotAapia and the Expeditie Berenbos experience. These attractions each have a different focus, from animal encounters to a play area and a dedicated experience. The park is accessible to people with disabilities and wheelchair users.
Rhenen can be reached by public transport seven days a week, at least once an hour. If you plan to travel by public transport, check the timetable for your travel date before setting off.
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