Alem: Island History and Maasheggen

Since the Meuse was canalised between 1932 and 1935, Alem has been located on an island and has belonged to the province of Gelderland ever since. The history of the Meuse and the village’s location between the Meuse and Waal shape the character of Alem and its surroundings.

Floodplain landscape and Maasheggen

The Alemschepad is a circular route through a raised floodplain landscape on a peninsula between the Meuse and Waal. Its circular shape and the landscape setting provide two clear points of reference: they describe both the route and its distinctive geographic setting. When planning, you can decide whether to focus first on the route’s shape or its location between the rivers.

The Maasheggen near Alem are another natural feature. They now form a rare protected area, and the hedgerows and surrounding area provide a habitat for special plant and animal species. While the Alemschepad focuses on the raised floodplain landscape, the Maasheggen add the character of a protected area and habitat to the landscape. Alem is therefore defined not only by its location between two rivers, but also by the distinctive hedgerow landscapes in the area.

Routes and navigation

The route also offers specific points of reference. A circular walk in Alem passes the Moleneind ferry landing and then follows the Veerweg dike. This indicates the sequence of waypoints: first the landing, then the dike. If you would like to include the ferry in your plans, check the timetable in advance. The Alemschepad and the circular walk in Alem can be understood through the landscape and waypoints described, without assuming a particular walking time or level of difficulty.

Odrada and the churches in Alem

Several local connections lead to Saint Odrada. According to local tradition, the Sint-Hubertuskerk stands on the site where Odrada was buried. A tableau in front of the church depicts Odrada stopping a wild horse. Visitors walking the Klompenpad can also find an information board at the church with historical information. These three elements each highlight a different aspect: local tradition, a depicted scene and information for people walking the Klompenpad.

The former Reformed church is also connected to Odrada: it was originally dedicated to Saint Odrada. Inside are six tombs belonging to a brickmaker’s family. The tombstones are made of hard stone and date from 1870 to 1930. The former church’s original dedication and the family’s tombstones thus emerge as two distinct aspects of the village’s history.

Remembrance and a New Year’s Eve tradition

The war memorial in Alem is a brick-built memorial column. A relief of Mary crowns it. The monument commemorates five residents who died as a result of acts of war during the occupation years. Its specific design and the number of people it commemorates give the memorial a distinctly local connection.

A drag hunt has also been part of the annual calendar since 1975, taking place in Alem on New Year’s Eve. It is a simulated fox hunt organised by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Jagersvereniging. The recurring date and the event’s distinctive format offer a different focus from the landscape and memorial sites. If you would like to plan your trip specifically around the event, check the date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Hurwenen, Well, Hedel, Kerkdriel, Ammerzoden, Rossum, Heerewaarden.

Back to the main travel overview: Maasdriel.