Water recreation
When you think of the Other Holland, you might not immediately think of sun, sea and sand, but did you know that this region is home to hundreds of lakes, streams, rivers and beaches? These are the ultimate places for all kinds of water sports and water-based recreational activities. Take to the water yourself to savour the freedom of the expansive lakes and meandering rivers, or relax and unwind at the water’s edge. There are plenty of sports and leisure facilities, and the shallow water in a number of lakes makes them ideal for beginners.
MEANDERING RIVERS
Rivers are a key feature in the beautiful scenery of the Other Holland, and they have left their defining mark on the landscape.
- Linge - The Netherlands’ longest river
- Meuse - The southernmost of the major rivers
- Waal - 120,000 vessels travel up and down this river each year, making it the busiest in the Netherlands
Recreational opportunities on the Linge
The Linge is the longest river in the Netherlands and, according to some people, also the prettiest. Its fans also say that the meandering Linge has something special to offer all year round: cloaked in ethereal wisps of mist in the autumn and winter, displaying an abundance of colourful flowers on its banks in the spring, and bringing so many people joy in the summer. The Linge is an unbeatable backdrop for cycling, walking, canoeing and stand-up paddling. How could you resist its charms?
Veur-Lent Island
The River Waal makes Nijmegen unique, but it also had a tendency to flood in the past causing upheaval in the city! The ‘Nijmegen Embraces the Waal’ flood risk management programme has put an end to that. One aim of the project, which has drawn engineers to the city from all over the world, was to create a new island. In conjunction with the new channel called the Spiegelwaal (‘Mirror Waal’) running parallel to the river, the island now forms a unique park in the middle of the river where water, nature, recreation and urban activities go hand in hand.
