West Maas en Waal: River Nature, Water and Hanseatic History

West Maas en Waal offers a variety of ways to enjoy a stay: young river nature, water sports, garden ideas and the history of Maasbommel as a Hanseatic town. Places to visit range from open natural areas and a route along the water to boats, model gardens and traces of the past.

River Nature and Trails

The Maasbommelse Waard is a young river nature area. You can observe river nature here, and many birds can be found. There are no established walking trails in the Waard; visitors are free to wander around. This makes a visit different from a walk on marked trails: the focus is on wandering freely and observing river nature.

The Struinroute through the Moringerwaarden offers a different way to find your bearings. It runs alongside the water, offers views of the inland lake and passes through a landscape of butterflies, birds and frogs. The route goes through the eastern part of the Gouden Ham. This gives you a choice of different nature experiences: wandering freely in the Maasbommelse Waard or following a route featuring specific landscape and wildlife highlights.

The Gouden Ham from the Shore and the Water

The Gouden Ham is one of the largest water sports and recreation areas in the Netherlands and has a 700-metre-long beach. You can choose from various activities when you visit: boat tours are available at the Gouden Ham, as is the option to rent a small boat. You can also explore it by canoe, sloop or sailboat. A boat tour and exploring in a rented boat or one of the other watercraft mentioned are different ways to spend time on the water.

Garden Ideas and Local History

Bloemenpark Appeltern offers something different from the river and water landscapes: it is a garden ideas park of just under 23 hectares, with more than 200 different model gardens. If you would rather focus on gardens than water activities, you will find a destination of its own here. Visitors can reserve breakfast, a high tea or a picnic basket there; the specific food offerings may change.

Several facts in Maasbommel recall the town’s history. In the Middle Ages, Maasbommel was the smallest Hanseatic town in the Netherlands; around the 15th century, it was a satellite town of the Hanseatic city of Nijmegen. During the Hanseatic period, the town was known for basket weaving. A mural near the trailer slipway at Veerweg 1 depicts this craft. Stoomgemaal de Tuut is also part of the cultural offering: it is the last working steam pumping station in the Land van Maas en Waal.

Routes and Ferry Connections

The “Beleef de Maas” route passes through Maasbommel, takes the ferry at Megen and follows the recreational area De Gouden Ham on the return journey. The Maasbommel–Megen car ferry crosses the Maas from Maasbommel to Megen. The regional Maasveren ferry network also includes a connection between Appeltern and Megen. The ferries are used by cyclists as well as motorhomes and cars towing caravans. Ferry services may vary seasonally or depending on water conditions, so check the timetable before making plans.

When planning, you can first decide what you would like to focus on: river nature and birdwatching, a route through the Moringerwaarden, water sports at the Gouden Ham, garden ideas in Appeltern or the history of Maasbommel.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Maasbommel, Wamel, Beneden-Leeuwen, Appeltern, Alphen, Dreumel, Oldebroek, Beuningen.

For the overarching travel overview: Gelderland.