From city to village – Wijk bij Duurstede - Veenendaal

Hours going: 6
paved/unpaved: 50/50
Accessibility by public transport:
Wijk bij Duurstede: Bus stop Steenstraat-Centrum
Veenendaal: Station Veenendaal Centrum
Fastest connection between start and end point:
Veenendaal Centrum NS – Bunnik NS – walk to Bunnik, Bus stop Van Zijldreef from here by bus 41 to
Wijk bij Duurstede, Bus stop Steenstraat-Centrum,
Travel time approx. 0:52.

The historic center of Wijk bij Duurstede is the starting point of this route to Veenendaal on the other side of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
First take the time to look around in the streets between the Grote Kerk and the ruins of Duurstede Castle.
The start is in front of the Old Town Hall on the Markt in which the tourist office is located.
Once we leave the old Wijck and cross the Kromme Rijn, we enter the scenery of the area on both sides of the Langbroeker Wetering. What a tranquility and a beautiful flora and fauna!
Within a period of 11/2 hours we pass two country estates and a castle: Broekhuizen, Zuylestein and Amerongen Castle.
The route also leads through the old Amerongen, past the Andrieskerk and the Tobacco Cultivation Museum.
Then begins the ascent of the Amerongse Berg, with its 69 meters above sea level the highest point of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and province of Utrecht. And with this route you really get to De Top! (see also the altitude profile of the route on this website)
Then the gradual descent begins along the north slope of the ridge in the direction of Veenendaal. But before that happens, let our eyes wander over the Egelmeer and there is time to muse, while walking on De Slaperdijk, about the centuries-long battle in the 16th and 17th centuries between the Diocese of Utrecht and the Duchy of Guelders.
Veenendaal was the 'Greenest City in Europe' in 1997. Using a 'green lobe' you finally arrive at the Market of the always lively Veenendaal.