Woudrichem to Dordrecht via Nieuwe Merwede

This is a flat, riverside-to-delta walk through the Dutch “Rivierenland” where big-water engineering, fortress history, and wide-open floodplain scenery do most of the talking. Expect roughly 21 km / 13.0 mi with essentially 0 m / 0 ft of climbing—any “ups and downs” are more like dike undulations, bridge ramps, and short stairways at locks or ferry landings.

Getting to the start (Woudrichem)

Nearest well-known start landmark: the historic harbor and old town walls of Woudrichem (by the Visserijmuseum / old harbor area, near the riverside dike). If you’re aiming for a simple meet-up point, use Woudrichem’s old harbor (Oude Haven) as the practical start.

By car - Woudrichem is easiest by regional roads through Altena; parking is typically available near the harbor/old town edge and along designated lots by the dike. Arrive early on weekends—this is a popular day-out area.

By public transport - Woudrichem is served by regional buses connecting to larger hubs such as Gorinchem and ’s‑Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch). From Gorinchem, connections often involve a bus and/or a short walk to the riverside. Check same-day routing and any ferry integration before you go, because timetables can vary by season and day of week.

You’ll begin in Woudrichem, a compact fortified town at the meeting of major rivers. The first kilometers are all about dikes, water views, and old defensive geometry—straight lines, bastion angles, and the sense that the landscape was designed as much for control as for beauty. Historically, this region sat on strategic waterways linking Holland to the interior; towns like Woudrichem were shaped by trade, tolls, and the need to defend river approaches.

From the harbor, follow the riverside dike east/southeast, keeping the broad water to your side. The Nieuwe Merwede is not a “quiet river” in feel: it’s wide, working water, with commercial traffic and strong currents. Even though the hike is easy, the environment is serious—wind exposure and weather off the water can change how the day feels.

0–5 km / 0–3.1 mi: Woudrichem’s river edge and open dike walking - Surface is typically paved or hard-packed on top of the dike, with occasional gravel. - You’ll pass farm fields, reed edges, and drainage channels. In wetter months, expect muddy margins off the path. - Wildlife to watch for: greylag geese, swans, coots, herons, and raptors such as kestrels hovering over fields. In calmer backwaters you may spot cormorants drying wings on posts.

As you continue, the landscape opens toward the Biesbosch influence—this is the Netherlands’ famous freshwater tidal wetland system nearby, and even when you’re not deep inside it, you’ll feel its presence in the braided waterways, willow-lined edges, and the “delta” character of the land.

River engineering, ferries, and what to watch out for

5–12 km / 3.1–7.5 mi: Long, flat river miles with big-water infrastructure This middle stretch is where planning matters most, even on an easy route.

• Wind & exposure: With almost no shelter on the dike, a headwind can make 21 km feel much longer. Bring a wind layer even in mild temperatures.
• Dike-top cycling traffic: Many dike routes double as popular cycle corridors. Walk single-file when needed and be predictable at bends.
• Ferry dependence (if your route uses one): Some versions of this walk rely on a waterbus/ferry crossing to reach Dordrecht efficiently. If a ferry is part of your intended line, check operating hours and service frequency before you start. A missed sailing can add significant waiting time or force a long detour.
• Navigation: Use HiiKER to keep track of the correct dike branches and any ferry landing points—this area has multiple parallel waterways and service roads that can look deceptively similar.

You’ll likely pass or skirt sluices, pumping stations, and flood-control works—quiet reminders that this is a managed landscape. The Netherlands’ modern water management is layered over centuries of dike building and land reclamation; the “flatness” is engineered, not accidental.

Nature notes - Look for willow stands and reedbeds where small songbirds hide; in winter, the open water can host large rafts of ducks. - In the broader region, beavers are present in suitable wetland corridors; signs are more likely than sightings—gnawed trunks and slides into the water.

Approaching Dordrecht: historic river city and delta views

12–21 km / 7.5–13.0 mi: Transition from rural dikes to Dordrecht’s urban edges As you near Dordrecht, the feel shifts from agricultural openness to port/industrial edges and then historic city fabric. Dordrecht is one of the Netherlands’ oldest cities, historically wealthy from river trade and its position at a key junction of waterways. The surrounding delta has repeatedly reshaped local history—most famously through medieval flooding events that altered the region’s geography and reinforced the need for robust water defenses.

Depending on your exact line into town, expect: - More junctions and signage, plus busier shared paths. - **Bridges and