It’s time for the next-to-last part of the Southern Waterline trail in the Netherlands. It’s easier for me to get to Reek by public transport than to Megen. That’s why I’m doing this part of the trail in the opposite direction. It’s a long stretch of about 20 km. In the previous part, my final destination was also in Megen. I hope to see a bit more of this fortified town this time.
Reek and Keent
I get off the bus in Reek, with the church on the horizon. I walk past the church and soon I am out of Reek already and I’m heading straight into the polder.
I walk towards the Oude Maasdijk. My instinct tells me to turn left on the dike, but the trail directs me to the right. From the dike, I see a beautiful nature reserve where cattle are sunbathing.
I am disappointed that I cannot get any closer, but there is a path down the dike that allows me to enter the Beerse Overlaat nature reserve. There I can see the cattle up close, fortunately behind barbed wire. Apparently, these are Heck cattle, a breed that closely resembles the extinct aurochs.
I also pass through the Keent nature reserve and a township of the same name. Here I see a herd of wild horses. Now I understand why the trail first sends me to the right, because I am making a big loop to the left through these beautiful nature reserves. I didn’t want to miss this.
After Keent, I cross a bridge to the (no longer Old) Maasdijk. Further on, the dike joins the Maas river. I will continue walking along the river for the next few kilometres.
I pass the town of Neerloon, where beautiful farms and houses are located behind the dike.
Ravenstein
At the fortified town of Ravenstein, I leave the dike and take a stroll through this picturesque town. As it is a long part of the trail, I do not take much time to explore the town. That is why I leave this charming town fairly quickly.
Ravenstein was founded in the 14th century on the border between Gelre, Brabant and Kleve. It belonged to the Duchy of Kleve and was the capital of the Land of Ravenstein. From 1814 onwards, Ravenstein belonged to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The old rampart was only discovered later during excavations in a garden. A complete structure emerged. The discoverer, Van Mourik, named the stronghold after Philips van Kleef, Lord of Ravenstein. The stronghold was restored between 2011 and 2016.
Source: Zuiderwaterlinie
After Ravenstein, I continue along the Maas river. Here is a nature reserve owned by Natuurmonumenten called Middelwaard in the Maas floodplains. The path in the floodplains looks inviting, partly because of the nice observation tower. After walking through the floodplains for a while, the path becomes increasingly impassable. With my legs tired, I return to the dike.
Behind the dike towns
Then there is a fairly long section along the dike. It is a very narrow path with tall grass on both sides, but it also turns out to be a cycle path with oncoming cyclists 😨.
On the narrow path, I almost step on a tiny mouse. It is so small that it cannot even see yet. I let it be and hope that it quickly dives into the grass so it won’t get run over.
Other trail guide about this region
I pass a number of towns behind the dike with charming names such as Neerlangel, Demen and Dieden. Near the town of Dieden, I walk past a beautiful windmill. Just after Dieden, I take a detour through the floodplains after all. It’s nice to get off the dike for a while.
Megen in view
Then the skyline of Megen comes into view. Just a few more kilometres along a polder road and I am at my final destination.
In Megen, I visit a number of historic buildings that I didn’t have the energy for to see last time. I don’t really have the energy now either, but I won’t be coming back here any time soon. So I decide to take a walk around this fortified town after all.
Megen is the smallest fortified town in the Southern Waterline. The fortified town was originally the capital of its own county called Megen. Walls, towers and four city gates were built. Only the Prison Gate remains today. In the 16th century, the town was ravaged by fires and wars. It was not until 1800 that Megen became part of Brabant and later of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Sources: Zuiderwaterlinie and Wikipedia
At the same spot as last time, I stop my hike and wait for the bus back to Oss.
Final thoughts
The section of the Southern Waterline trail between Reek and Megen was a Fine hike. My favourite part was the Beerse Overlaat and Keent nature reserves.
The walk along the Maas river to Megen was a bit long, but the fortified town of Ravenstein and the stretch through the floodplains were a nice change of pace.
Tip: Regional Trail 3 Realm of Nijmegen passes through the same area between Ravenstein and Grave.
More info:
Trail: Section 12 Southern Waterline trailWhere: from Reek to Megen (in opposite direction), Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands.
No. of km: +/- 20 km
Hiking date: 27 May 2024
Materials used in illustrations: Coloured pencils for the map and watercolour paints for the illustrations
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
- OV starting point: bus stop Kerk, Reek – bus 96 between Oss and Grave
- OV ending point: bus stop W. Kippstraat, Megen – neighbourhood bus 296 between Megen and Oss
More hikes with towns behind the dike
What often makes a hike along a river dike special are the towns behind the dike. From the dike, you have a beautiful view of such a town and you can always take a look, whether or not it is part of the trail. Below are a few more hikes with charming towns behind the dike.
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