Switzerland
From the source of the River Rhine to Lake Constance.
From Arnhem to the North Sea, on the Rhine Delta.
In the Netherlands, the Rhine splits and joins up with other rivers. Because of the many names of the rivers it takes, with waterways, rivers and canals, the Dutch section of the international Rhine Cycle Route is called the Rhine Delta Cycle Path.
others, the Waal river expressway - one of the busiest vessel-going waterways in Europe, or the Kromme Rijn (Crooked Rhine), with its numerous castles from the Middle Ages, which for a long time stood as the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. And then there is the River Linge, which snakes through the orchards of the Betuwe region. The Biesbosch natural park, created by a huge flood, and the many windmills near the village of Kinderdijk, show how a large part of the Netherlands, sitting below sea level, was formed. Along the length of the river, cyclists can enjoy the surrounding nature, pretty little port villages and, towards the mouth, before the waters of the Rhine rush our into the North Sea, Rotterdam is a world class modern metropolis.
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160
LENGHT
km -
North Sea
arrival point
of the EV15 -
1320 km
length of EuroVelo 15,
from Andermatt to the North Sea.
The North Sea and the dunes
And so you arrive at the end of Eurovélo 15, paddling in the North Sea in the small area known as the Hook of Holland. Take the opportunity to go for a walk along the long beaches - go to the end of the pier or lose yourself in the dunes. But take care not to trample over the fragile vegetation! Hiking, bike rides, sand-yachting, windsurfing and more. There's so much to do once you reach the North Sea.
Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek
Arnhem Airborne Museum retraces the "Garden Market" military operation, launched by the allied forces during the Second World War. On 17 September 1944, thousands of British parachutists were released above the town of Ede. Their aim was to secure the bridges spanning the Dutch rivers in order to cross the German defensive lines and reach the economic heart of the Third Reich - the Ruhr. But the operation ended in failure. The allied forces never reached Arnhem bridge.
Town of Rhenen
Famous for its Gothic Cunera Church, constructed in the 15th century, the town of Rhenen has built up on the banks of the Lek - one of the many branches of the Rhine, downstream of Arnhem.
The Kromme Rijn, or Crooked Rhine
The secondary branch of the Rhine is 17 miles long. Known as the Kromme Rijn, or Crooked Rhine, it was an important waterway until the construction of a dam in 1122 during the Middle Ages. Still flowing gently, the Kromme Rijn has maintained a pleasant landscape, with castles and private estates built alongside the river. Eurovélo 15 crosses the Kromme Rijn at the town of Wijk bij Duurstede.
Euromast & Spacetower, Rotterdam
With its head in the clouds, perched 185 metres high, Euromast is the highest tower open to the public in the Netherlands. Its 360 degree panorama awaits visitors at the top, along with a great many other attractions, some of which are reserved for those with the strongest stomachs - bungee jumping and a zip slide, going at over 60 miles per hour! For more careful souls (or at least for those of us who like a little less excitement), the tower has a panoramic restaurant 96 metres up in the air.
Port city of Rotterdam
The second city of the Netherlands after Amsterdam, Rotterdam is where the industrial heart of the country beats. Located at the mouth of the Rhine and the Meuse, its strategic position provides an economic outlet for western Germany and makes the region the most dynamic in Europe. Its facilities stretch for over 18 miles, making it the fourth largest port in the world and the largest in Europe. Alongside Le Havre in France, the deep water "Europoort" of Rotterdam is the only port in Europe capable of accommodating supertankers and their cargo of 400,000 tonnes of fuel. Refineries and petrochemical industrial facilities are set up around the region.
Gelderse Poort
Located between the towns of Arnhem, Nijmegen and Emmerich-am-Rhein, Gelderse Poort is a protected natural area, considered to be one of the twenty most beautiful landscapes in the Netherlands. This is the starting point for the vast Rhine delta.
Glassmaking industry in Leerdam
Located on the river Linge, surrounded by fertile alluvial plains, the town of Leerdam has been at the centre of the Dutch glassmaking industry since the 18th century. The first glass blowers came from Germany and laid the foundations for the industry that is nowadays known throughout the world under the name Royal Leerdam.
Windmills of Kinderdijk
Since the 15th century, the Netherlands has owed its international reputation to its windmills. Located nine miles east of Rotterdam, Kinderdijk is one of the best known tourist destinations in the Netherlands. It has all the typical elements of the hydraulic works practised in the country since the Middle Ages, the aim of which was to dry out the land for agriculture and set up villages. Sea walls, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings, along with a set of nineteen beautifully preserved windmills make up Kinderdijk, listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 1997.
Region of Betuwe
The region of Betuwe - farming country. Situated between the two main branches of the Rhine, the Waal to the south and the Lower Rhine to the North, the region of Betuwe is known for its fruit, especially pears and cherries. The rich alluvial deposits of the delta region make ideal ground for this type of agriculture.
River Linge
At around 60 miles long, the River Linge is the longest Dutch river to lie completely within the Netherlands. It crosses the Betuwe region from east to west, from Doorenburg to Gorinchem. Motorized shipping traffic is not permitted unless the Watershap Rivierenland issues an authorization based on the inland water transportation rules. In case of an authorization, motorized shipping traffic is allowed from Geldermalsen to the Kanal van Steenenhoek.
Town of Dordrecht
The oldest town in Holland, Dordrecht enjoyed an important role in trade until the night of 18-19 November 1421 - St. Elizabeth's Night - when a violent storm blew in from the North Sea, destroying the coastal sea walls. A huge flood then overcame Dordrecht, drowning up to 100,000 people. The land submerged by that event is still mostly underwater. For Dordrecht, this climate disaster meant the end of its commercial hegemony over the country. New sailing routes opened by the flood were taken. The town of Dordrecht still recalls this episode in its history, with the Flood of St. Elizabeth depicted in the cathedral's windows!
Loevestein Castle
Occupying a strategic position at the confluence of the Meuse and the Waal, the medieval castle of Loevestein was built in 1368, near the town of Gorinchem, in order to receive taxes from river-going vessels. It was also used as a State prison, and has now been converted into a medieval museum.
"Biesboch" National Park
"Biesbosch" national park - a meeting point for soft water and sea water. Located at the mouth of the Rhine and the Meuse, within easy access of the town of Dordrecht by bicycle, Biecosch protects a range of habitats: reed beds, meadowland, islands planted with willows and swampy forests, as existed in times past in the marshes in the west of the country. Created in 1994, Biesbosch national park is one of the biggest nature parks in the Netherlands.
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Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek
Arnhem Airborne Museum retraces the "Garden Market" military operation, launched by the allied forces during the Second World War. On 17 September 1944, thousands of British parachutists were released above the town of Ede. Their aim was to secure the bridges spanning the Dutch rivers in order to cross the German defensive lines and reach the economic heart of the Third Reich - the Ruhr. But the operation ended in failure. The allied forces never reached Arnhem bridge.
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"Biesboch" National Park
"Biesbosch" national park - a meeting point for soft water and sea water. Located at the mouth of the Rhine and the Meuse, within easy access of the town of Dordrecht by bicycle, Biecosch protects a range of habitats: reed beds, meadowland, islands planted with willows and swampy forests, as existed in times past in the marshes in the west of the country. Created in 1994, Biesbosch national park is one of the biggest nature parks in the Netherlands.
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Euromast & Spacetower, Rotterdam
With its head in the clouds, perched 185 metres high, Euromast is the highest tower open to the public in the Netherlands. Its 360 degree panorama awaits visitors at the top, along with a great many other attractions, some of which are reserved for those with the strongest stomachs - bungee jumping and a zip slide, going at over 60 miles per hour! For more careful souls (or at least for those of us who like a little less excitement), the tower has a panoramic restaurant 96 metres up in the air.
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River Linge
At around 60 miles long, the River Linge is the longest Dutch river to lie completely within the Netherlands. It crosses the Betuwe region from east to west, from Doorenburg to Gorinchem. Motorized shipping traffic is not permitted unless the Watershap Rivierenland issues an authorization based on the inland water transportation rules. In case of an authorization, motorized shipping traffic is allowed from Geldermalsen to the Kanal van Steenenhoek.
The Stages
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From the source of the River Rhine to Lake Constance.
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From Lake Constance to Basel, via the Rhine Falls.
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From Basel to Karlsruhe, through Alsace and the German vineyards.
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From Karlsruhe to Bingen, through the vineyards.
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From Bingen to Cologne, through the legendary landscapes of the Romantic Rhine.
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From Cologne to Arnhem, through the largest industrial centre in Europe.
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From Arnhem to the North Sea, on the Rhine Delta.
