Kraaijenbergse Plassen, Kasteel Mookerheide, Klein Amerika and Reeksche Bergen Loop

This is a long, low-relief loop through the Maas–Waal river landscape and the sandy, heath-and-forest ridges just south of Nijmegen. At around 75 km (46.6 mi) with roughly 100 m (328 ft) of total ascent, it’s physically “easy” in terms of climbing, but it’s still a full-day endurance walk (or a relaxed 2-day outing) because of the distance, exposed sections, and the number of junctions where it’s easy to drift onto parallel paths.

Getting to the start (public transport + car)

Because your start point is listed only as “near,” the most practical, well-connected place to begin this loop is by the Kraaijenbergse Plassen recreation area on the Maas near Cuijk.

• Best “known landmark” start area: Kraaijenbergse Plassen / Cuijk waterfront (near the Cuijk–Katwijk aan de Maas side of the lakes). A common, easy-to-find anchor is the Cuijk railway station area and then walking/cycling a short distance toward the lakes.
• By public transport: Take the train to Cuijk Station (Station Cuijk). From there, you can walk to the lakes depending on the exact access point you choose (plan the final approach in HiiKER so you start on the correct shore/path).
• By car: Aim for parking at one of the signed recreation access points around Kraaijenbergse Plassen (day-use lots are common around Dutch plas/recreation areas). Use HiiKER to select a start waypoint at a marked trailhead/parking symbol so you’re not hunting for a legal place to leave a car.

What the terrain feels like over 75 km

• Surface: Mostly flat dike-top paths, compact gravel, farm lanes, and forest tracks, with some sandy stretches around heath/woodland edges.
• Exposure: The river/lake sections can be windy and sun-exposed; the forest/heath sections offer shelter but can feel cooler and damper.
• Navigation: Expect frequent junctions and parallel tracks (especially near lakes, dikes, and estate forests). Keep HiiKER open and confirm direction at every major split.

Kraaijenbergse Plassen: big water, birds, and open skies (approx. 0–18 km / 0–11.2 mi)

You’ll start with the defining feature of this route: a chain of long, narrow lakes formed by sand and gravel extraction along the Maas. The walking here is straightforward and fast—flat paths with wide views across water.

• Landmarks & nature: Reedy margins, small beaches, and open water attract waterfowl (ducks, geese, coots) and, depending on season, waders and gulls. Early and late in the day are best for bird activity.
• What to look out for:
  
  • Cyclists and local recreation traffic near popular access points.
    
  • Strong crosswinds on exposed dike-like sections—easy walking, but it can drain energy over hours.
    
  • Limited shade: in warm weather, sun protection matters more than the elevation profile suggests.

Historically, this whole corridor is shaped by the Maas river’s floodplain management and the Netherlands’ long relationship with water control. The “plassen” themselves are modern in origin (extraction pits), but they sit in a landscape that has been engineered for centuries with dikes, channels, and controlled flood storage.

Toward Mookerheide: estates, heathland, and subtle climbs (approx. 18–40 km / 11.2–24.9 mi)

As you leave the broad water landscape and angle toward Mook/Molenhoek and the Mookerheide area, the scenery shifts from open floodplain to wooded ridges and heath. This is where most of your modest elevation gain is concentrated—still gentle, but you’ll notice it after many flat kilometers.

• Kasteel Mookerheide (key landmark): The castle/estate setting is one of the route’s standout cultural points. Even if you only pass nearby, the surrounding estate woods and lanes feel distinctly different from the river plain—more enclosed, with mature trees and a “landed” landscape character.
• Nature & wildlife: Mixed woodland edges and heath can produce sightings of roe deer (often at dawn/dusk), and you’ll hear a lot of songbirds in spring. Heathland margins can be breezy and open, with sandy soils underfoot.
• Underfoot: Forest tracks can be soft or muddy after rain; sandy patches can slow pace slightly.

Historical significance: This region sits close to Nijmegen, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, and the wider area has seen repeated strategic importance due to river crossings and higher ground near the Maas/Waal system. Estates like Mookerheide reflect later periods of land ownership and landscape design, layered onto much older settlement patterns.

Klein Amerika and the Reeksche Bergen: quiet countryside and long, steady miles (approx. 40–65 km / 24.9–40.4 mi)

“Klein Amerika” and the Reeksche Bergen portion tends to feel more rural and subdued—farm fields, hedgerows, and wooded lumps of higher sandy ground (the “bergen” here are modest rises, not mountains). The walking is easy on paper, but this is where mental fatigue can creep in because the route is long and junctions can be repetitive.

• What to expect:
  
  • **Farm tracks and