Kedichem, Gorinchem and Lieskampen Loop

This is a long, low-lying river-country loop of roughly 86 km (53.4 mi) with essentially 0 m (0 ft) of climbing, linking small dike villages, historic fortified towns, and wide-open polder landscapes. Expect a lot of exposed walking (wind can be the biggest “difficulty” factor), frequent waterways and canals, and long stretches on dike-top paths, farm lanes, and paved cycleways—easy on navigation, but potentially repetitive if you’re not prepared for the scale of the landscape.

Because the route name strings together Kedichem, Gorinchem, and Lieskampen, the most practical “hike head” is typically around Gorinchem (Gorcum)—a well-known, transit-friendly hub on the Merwede/Waal river system. A sensible start landmark to aim for is Gorinchem railway station (Station Gorinchem) or the nearby historic city center and ramparts (the old fortified core is compact and easy to reach on foot from the station). If your version of the loop begins closer to Kedichem, the most recognizable anchor there is the village of Kedichem along the dike roads by the river landscape between Gorinchem and Leerdam.

Getting to the start (public transport and car)

• Public transport: Gorinchem is straightforward by Dutch standards: take a train to Station Gorinchem, then walk a few minutes to the old town/ramparts or to the riverfront depending on where your HiiKER track begins. If your start point is in Kedichem, you’ll usually combine train to Gorinchem (or nearby stations such as Leerdam) with a regional bus toward the smaller dike villages; schedules can be less frequent outside peak times, so check connections before committing to an early/late start.
• By car: For Gorinchem, use city parking on the edge of the old center (signed municipal garages/lots) so you can step directly onto the dike and rampart paths. For Kedichem/Lieskampen-area starts, roadside parking exists in places but can be limited and sensitive near farms and narrow dike roads—park only where clearly permitted and keep access lanes clear for agricultural traffic and emergency vehicles.

What the terrain is like (and why it still feels “big”)

Even with negligible elevation gain, this loop is not “short-flat-easy”—it’s long-flat-easy. Underfoot you’ll likely rotate through: - Dike-top paths and dike roads: long, straight, and exposed; great visibility, little shade. - Polder tracks and farm lanes: often paved or hard-packed; can be slick with algae/mud near canals after rain. - Town sections (Gorinchem especially): cobbles/brickwork and short urban connectors.

Because the landscape is engineered and water-managed, you’ll cross or parallel sluices, pumping stations, canals, and drainage ditches constantly. The “climb” you do get is micro-undulation over dike crests, bridge ramps, and underpasses—not enough to register as elevation gain, but enough to notice after 8–12 hours on your feet.

Suggested breakdown (approximate distances)

At 86 km (53.4 mi), most hikers will plan this as 2 days, though strong fastpackers may do it in a very long single push.

• Day 1 option: ~40–46 km (24.9–28.6 mi)
  A good target is to link the more urban/historic sections (Gorinchem and nearby riverfront) with a long polder leg to set up a quieter overnight.
• Day 2 option: ~40–46 km (24.9–28.6 mi)
  Finish with the remaining dike villages and open-country stretches, returning to Gorinchem for easy transport.

If you’re attempting it in one day, plan for 14–18 hours depending on pace and breaks, and be realistic about winter daylight.

Navigation and wayfinding (keep it simple, keep it consistent)

This is the kind of route where it’s easy to drift onto the “wrong parallel dike” or take the wrong bridge over a canal and not realize for a few kilometers because everything looks similar. Use HiiKER to: - confirm you’re on the correct side of the canal/river branch, - catch small deviations early (especially around ferry points, locks, and town edges), - identify resupply points in villages before committing to long rural legs.

Landmarks and character: Kedichem, Gorinchem, and the river defenses

Gorinchem (Gorcum) is the standout historic anchor. It’s known for its well-preserved fortifications and ramparts, part of the Netherlands’ long tradition of defensive waterlines and fortified towns in the river delta region. Walking the edges of the old town, you’ll notice how the city’s shape and walls were designed to control approaches along waterways and roads—this is a landscape where trade, flood control, and defense have always overlapped.

Kedichem and the smaller dike settlements you pass feel quieter and more agricultural, with long views across fields and water. The “landmark” moments here are often subtle: - a lock/sluice complex where water levels change, - a pumping station (gemaal) quietly doing the work that keeps the polder dry, - a church tower that becomes your visual reference for an hour as you approach.

“Lieskampen” reads like a local area name rather than a major town