9x nature in Nijmegen, discover the prettiest green spots

Feel like taking a walk and taking in Nijmegen’s natural landscape? Or are you done with your walks around the block and looking for inspiration? We’ve listed some of our favourite green spots in Nijmegen. Enjoy!

1. Rivierpark Nijmegen

The climate is changing, causing rivers to have to deal with more water. To prevent floods, more space is being given to rivers at over 30 locations. The Rivierpark is one of those places. To protect civilians against the power of the water, the dyke near Nijmegen-Lent has been placed 350 metres inland. This created room for a secondary channel for the Waal. This channel, known as the Spiegelwaal, offers additional capacity for water drainage when high tides hit. This prevents backwater. The relocation of the dyke and digging of the channel have created an elongated island within the Waal. Together, this island and the Spiegelwaal provide a very unique river park!
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2. Heumensoord

Do you mostly think of soldiers pitching their camps during the Vierdaagse when you think of Heumensoord? Such a shame, because you can also go for a lovely hike here. There are great lanes of beech trees and expansive heaths. On the Forest and Heath-route, you will discover the best parts. Simply follow the red poles that mark the route.
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3. Ooijpolder

You’ll have to watch your toes here. Wild horses, beavers, big geese, Galloways... all of them graze here, in the Ooijpolder. It’s a beautiful part of nature in the floodplains of the Waal. It’s an important part of the Nationaal Landschap De Gelderse Poort and is characterised by a vast polder landscape scattered little villages or farms.
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4. N70 walking route

This unique walk will lead you over 8 ‘mountains’ with neat names such as the Boterberg (‘Butter Mountain’), Sterrenberg (‘Starry Mount’), en the Duivelsberg (‘Devils Mountain’. You’ll come across forests and beautiful sights of the hilly scenery, across polders, picturesque paths, and the river landscape.
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5. Hortus Nijmegen

On the south-eastern border of Nijmegen, the Hortus Nijmegen is located. The Hortus Nijmegen consists of two gardens: the Botanical garden and the Tea garden. They are separated by the Beukenlaan. And the gardens border the University campus and train track to Mook. The gardens provide room for walks, silent enjoyment, photography, or taking workshops.
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6. Goffertpark

The Goffertpark, who hasn’t heard of it? Everyone in Nijmegen and many outsiders too have stepped foot in the park, or at least heard of it. In most cases because of events, concerts, or just as outdoor area. And did you know there is plenty of interesting nature to spot?
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7. The Duivelsberg

This list is obviously not complete without The Duivelsberg. For many a resident of Nijmegen, this is the place to go for a sturdy walk in the forest.  Because of all the hills and vantage points, this forest is beautiful, no matter how often you visit. Want to combine the walk with food or a drink? Go to Pannenkoekenhuis de Duivelsberg for great pancakes.
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8. Groene Perron

Beside the tracks in Nijmegen you can find green areas, which are often great for walking. People are working on connecting these zones, to create a green walking route from the Waal, all the way to the forests of Heijendaal. And a year ago, the Groene Vlinderlint-route has been completed in the city park on the Oude Groenewoudseweg.
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9. Javabosje

The Javabosje is a small oasis near Galgenveld, for animals such as squirrels, bats, martens, owls, and other birds too. With the surrounding gardens, the area provides a safe base for the animals from which to explore their surroundings by day and night. Local residents help with maintaining and developing the forest.
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