Ridge Tour

This route is part of the group 'The Most Beautiful Routes of the Heuvelrug Walking Tour'.

For more information: www.heuvelrugwandeltocht.nl

Multi-day tour along the edges of the Heuvelrug. Experience the versatility of the area, take your time and opt for an overnight stay or travel back by public transport after a stage. Of course, it is also possible for seasoned long-distance runners to complete the entire tour in one day.
The Heuvelrug Tour first goes from Veenendaal over the north flank of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug to Ginkelduin near the Leersumseveld. Via the historic Slaperdijk you first enter an area that is reminiscent of the Veluwe. Remnants of sand drifts and heaths with even juniper berries. Here you are under the smoke of the village with the appropriate name Overberg. Around Overberg, at the various campsites and holiday parks, many people from the west have been spending their weekends and summer holidays for years. Rotterdammers in particular like to come to this side of the ridge. After Overberg we enter an area with trees that are typical of the north side of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Enjoy the giant Douglas firs. The route climbs almost imperceptibly to a height of almost 50 meters. Then you descend again and you arrive in De Ginkel and at Ginkelduin. The Leersumse Veld has its own, somewhat Veluwe-like character, with the accompanying sand drifts. The route goes around the Leersumse Plassen in a big arc. In any case, you will never enter the breeding area that is closed to hikers from mid-March to the end of July. But don't worry, the Leersumse Plassen can be seen at various locations, for example from the bird observation hut.

Once in Leersum, Heuvelrug Tour follows the southern flank of the ridge from the Kerkplein, with its sunny, mild climate. Via Landgoed Zuylestein, the beautiful village of Amerongen is soon reached. Amerongen Castle with its beautiful castle garden is also worth a visit. At the Amerongse Bovenpolder, climb on the viewing platform of the Utrechts Landschap, from where you have a beautiful view. This is an area where many special birds like to come and forage. At the village of Elst we slide a little higher up against the ridge. After a small point through the forest of Landgoed Prattenburg, the route brings you to the edge of Plantage Willem III. In the mid-19th century, a tobacco plantation was established here. Nowadays, the Utrechts Landschap, which does a lot of nature development, owns the area. For example, Galloway cattle and Konik horses are used for grazing. Via a beautiful meltwater valley from the last ice age, this route leads to Remmerdenseheide. There the Heuvelrug Tour continues towards Rhenen and the Grebbeberg, In Rhenen you will of course pass the famous Cunera Church, but also the Market Square behind the church with the Old Town Hall is worth a visit. The very tip of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug is the Grebbeberg, which really has to be climbed! Our route shows not only the views over the Betuwe, but also the views from the 'back' of the Grebbeberg. This makes the name of the village of Achterberg very understandable. Gradually it goes up the Heuvelrug again and we can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Heuvelrug a few more times, from Kwintelooijen, a former sand quarry. Once back down, our route ensures that you reach the starting point of the route at Veenendaal Centrum station in an original way.