N70 trail

The N70 Trail is a marked walking route of about fourteen kilometres through the hills around Nijmegen, in the east of the Netherlands, and it is one of the more demanding day hikes in a country known for flatness. The route crosses eight hills, with a total climb of several hundred metres and a few hundred steps, and rewards walkers with views over the Waal and the Rhine valley. It is a good choice for those who like a physical challenge and enjoy varied scenery.

The hills are the key to the landscape. The ridge on which Nijmegen stands, together with the neighbouring Groesbeek and Berg en Dal hills, is a push moraine, formed during the Ice Age when a huge glacier pushed up sand and gravel ahead of it. The result is a line of wooded hills that rise abruptly from the river plain, with steep slopes, deep valleys and lookout points. The area is known as the Rijk van Nijmegen, the Realm of Nijmegen, and it includes forests, orchards and villages such as Berg en Dal.

Walking the trail, you pass through beech and oak woodland, across meadows and along sunken lanes, with climbs and descents that make the legs work. At several points the trees open up to show the flat expanse of the river lands below, and on a clear day the views stretch far into Germany and across the Betuwe. In autumn the leaves turn gold and red, and in spring the woods are fresh and full of birdsong. The paths are mostly good, though steep sections can be slippery after rain.

Nijmegen has a strong walking tradition. The Nijmegen Four Days Marches, held every July, is the largest multi-day walking event in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants who walk long distances each day through the city and surrounding countryside, and the city is festive. A hike on the N70 gives a taste of the same terrain at a gentler pace. The Afrika Museum in Berg en Dal is another sight in the area.

Before setting out, wear proper walking shoes, bring water and food, check the weather, and allow four to five hours. The trail suits fit walkers, nature lovers and those who want a change from the flat polders. After the walk, the city offers cafes and sights such as the Stevenskerk and Museum Het Valkhof.