Top hikes, Ouwehands Zoo and the Zoelen slide: experience it all from a holiday home in Rhenen!

Picturesquely located on the Rhine and surrounded by the Amerongen forests and the Grebbeberg, lies the small city of Rhenen. The trademarks of this hillside town: Ouwehands Zoo, climbing the iconic Cunera Tower, and enjoying ice cream at Martino IJs! The hiking routes nearby may be short, but they are top-class! Literally, because after a walk through the forests of the Grebbeberg, you’ll reach the Koningstafel plateau. From here, you can admire views over the Lower Rhine and the Blauwe Kamer nature reserve!

Curious about the other side of the river while gazing into the distance? Rent a holiday home in Rhenen and enjoy a lovely spring walk through the Betuwe region!

Visit Ouwehands Zoo from your holiday home in Rhenen

Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen is among the five parks with the largest number of animals. Some species can’t be found in any other zoo, such as the giant panda and the koala. You can also meet exotic creatures like the muntjac deer and the golden-headed lion tamarin. Join an expedition show about the jungle, attend a sea lion demonstration, and don’t miss the panda talk. Planning a stay in a holiday home in Rhenen during autumn or winter? Be sure to visit the light festival! Artistic animal sculptures decorated with thousands of lights turn Ouwehands Zoo into a spectacular attraction during this time of year.

Climb the Grebbeberg and admire the river landscape of the Lower Rhine

Rhenen is one of the few places in the Netherlands where a settlement is built into a moraine. In this case, the Utrecht Hill Ridge makes the city an ideal base for hikes with significant elevation differences. From the Koningstafel, not far from the Military Cemetery, you’ll see the Lower Rhine flowing through the Blauwe Kamer nature reserve. There’s a good chance you’ll spot Konik horses or Galloway cattle grazing on the riverbanks. Start your hike at the memorial site and follow the white signs. Alternatively, begin in the outskirts of Achterberg, where rolling grain fields form the transition between the Gelderland Valley and the forests of the Grebbeberg.

Plantage Willem III and Kwintelooijen

Between Rhenen and Elst, the landscape continues to roll and sway. From the parking lot along the connecting road, you can hike across the former tobacco plantation of Willem III. The trail initially winds through open grasslands and heath. You might see large grazers or even a herd of deer. A dense row of trees marks the middle of the area, followed by fields of broom shrubs. After a while, you’ll enjoy looking back at the elevation you’ve gradually climbed. Extend your walk to the hilltop of Kwintelooijen for a unique view over the Gelderland Valley. After about thirty minutes of walking back toward the starting point, you’ll reach the outdoor terrace of House of Bird.

Bring your binoculars to the Blauwe Kamer nature reserve

The Blauwe Kamer is perfect for a nature walk combined with a short bike ride along the dike. And don’t forget to start with coffee and cake—on the terrace you’ll sit right by the water with beautiful views of the Rhine’s river landscape. The park can only be explored on foot, out of respect for the special birds that live there, such as the Eurasian spoonbill. The cattle and horses you saw from the Grebbeberg can now be spotted up close, and whatever you can’t see with the naked eye, you can admire through the binoculars in the bird-watching hut.

Bel Monte: the flower-filled “picnic arboretum” on the Wageningen hill

Follow the charming dike route from your holiday home in Rhenen to Wageningen! The church square in the city center is surrounded by terraces, and via the historic Herenstraat you’ll reach the terrace of the old theater. In Molenstraat, a cozy side street, you’ll find a few restaurants, including a two-floor pizzeria. A great spot for ice cream or coffee is Het Icekootje, where you can sit in a lovely courtyard garden by the city canal. Wageningen also offers hikes with elevation gain. From the city, you gradually climb the Wageningen hill—especially beautiful via the Grebbe dike, which offers open views over the floodplains!

Perfect for a picnic is the arboretum on top of the hill—especially in bloom season when you’re surrounded by rhododendrons! No food or drinks with you? Walk a bit further to the panoramic terrace of Fletcher Hotel De Wageningse Berg.

Thrilling fun on the giant slide at Beldert Beach

For a day of sun, sand, and recreation, Beldert Beach near Tiel is a perfect summer outing. The giant slide guarantees an exciting experience! Get ready for a steep ride and end with a long splash in the cool water. Worked up an appetite after a volleyball match? Order fries or ice cream from the kiosk and enjoy a cold drink on the terrace of the Beach Club.

Take a spring walk at Castle Soelen in the Betuwe

You might not expect it near Tiel, but in the surrounding countryside you’ll find a small yet beautifully classic moated castle. Walk through the castle woods or explore the rural surroundings via the Teisterbant Trail. Bonus tip: scan the QR codes on the trail posts for explanations from the forest ranger. The orchards and lambs make this Betuwe region perfect for a spring walk. Highlight along the way: the Stefanus Church in Zoelen! Its tower turns the walk into a truly picturesque experience!

Rent a holiday home in Rhenen

In the municipality of Rhenen, you’ll find landscapes and viewpoints best explored on short walks. For example, hike from the rolling Laarsenberg to the Grebbeberg or walk from Wageningen city center to the Bel Monte Arboretum. A holiday home in Rhenen offers highlights in every season—from castle walks among blossoming orchards in spring to the light festival at Ouwehands Zoo in winter!