Millingen aan de Rijn: River Landscape and Walking

When planning a trip to Millingen aan de Rijn, you can choose to focus on nature, walking trails or architectural history. The town is located where the Rhine enters the Netherlands and divides into the Waal and the Pannerdensch Kanaal. There are also specific walking routes and historic buildings, offering different ways to shape your stay.

Experience the River Landscape and Nature

The Millingerwaard is a river floodplain with riparian forests, marshes, species-rich grasslands, ponds and river dunes. It is part of the Gelderse Poort Natura 2000 area along the river. Wild horses and cattle roam freely across the floodplain; their grazing keeps the vegetation short and varied. Thus, the animals and their role are part of the Millingerwaard’s nature, alongside its diverse habitats. The landscape can therefore be described not only in terms of its waterways and terrain, but also by how grazing animals influence the vegetation.

One way to explore the Millingerwaard on foot is the “Het verhaal van de Millingerwaard” audio trail. It shares stories about animals and natural features through 14 audio segments. The segments begin at various locations, marked by signs with QR codes. Another kind of outing is “Expeditie Millingerwaard”: this morning guided excursion takes place with a Staatsbosbeheer guide and includes searching for beaver tracks. The two formats have different focuses: one centers on stories about animals and natural features, while the other is a guided excursion with a search for tracks.

Walking Routes and Practical Information

“Rondje Pontje Te Voet” is a circular walk of more than 12 kilometers. Millingen aan de Rijn is the recommended starting point; the walk begins there at the ferry to the opposite bank. The ferry from Millingen aan de Rijn to Pannerden is for pedestrians and cyclists. Much of the circular route goes through the surrounding countryside, partly along dikes and partly through villages. The route is also accessible to people with reduced mobility. The Millingerwaard is a highlighted nature spot on this circular walk.

The Pieterpad offers a different type of route: its 17th stage passes through the river landscape near Millingen towards Groesbeek and is 20 kilometers long. The path goes through the surrounding countryside towards Leuth and past De Plezenburg, an old terp farm dating from 1810. When planning, you can first choose between a circular walk starting at the ferry and a stage of the long-distance trail; the distance and route details provide practical guidance.

In the Millingerwaard, access for walkers depends on the river’s water level. When water levels are higher, some paths may be flooded, including “de drempel” and the wandelkade. Take this into account when planning and check which paths are passable before setting out.

Cycling and Culture

Various cycling routes are also described. The first “Steengoed” cycle route runs from Millingen aan de Rijn through the Ooijpolder to Nijmegen. It starts at the car park on Zeelandsestraat near cycling junction 94. Another themed route is “Kunstgeheimen: Nijmegen – Millingen aan de Rijn”; it passes Telpost Millingen in the Ooijpolder. The routes therefore differ both in their course and in their stated focus.

The town’s architectural history includes two churches with different origins. The Roman Catholic parish church of Sint Antonius van Padua was built in 1913–1914 on the site of the medieval church, which had been completely demolished, to a design by architect W.A.M. te Riele Gzn. It is a three-aisled cross basilica in the Neo-Gothic style. “Three-aisled” describes the layout of the church interior; “cross basilica” refers to its ground plan, while “Neo-Gothic” names the style.

The Zalmkerkje was built in 1880 for the modest Protestant population of Millingen and the surrounding villages. Since 2023, it has been managed by the Stichting Zalmpodium. Together with the architectural history of Sint Antonius van Padua, it offers another perspective on the town’s religious and architectural history: one church was built on the site of a medieval predecessor, while the other was built for the region’s Protestant population.

For the broader travel overview: Millingen aan de Rijn.