Since the outbreak of the Corona pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, the Dutch have started walking in droves. The number of downloaded walking apps and the sale of walking shoes increased enormously. After all, walking is fun, healthy and relaxing!
Dordrecht and its surroundings have a beautiful, varied and extensive landscape. The walking network around Dordrecht is no less than 190 kilometres long, so you can take endless walks through the city, through the greenery or along the water.
We have listed a number of ideas so that you can keep discovering new things in your own region. The walking guides and map are all for sale at VVV Dordrecht or in the VVV webshop.
1. Straight through Dordrecht
Author Frits Baarda is a journalist and Dordrecht expert. He carefully mapped out six walks in the city and bundled them in the walking guide 'Dwars door Dordrecht'. The book is about special places, but also about the people who gave them meaning. The guide leads through the glorious past, but also picks up on the less illustrious history. The clearly written histories bring the city to life.
Dwars door Dordrecht, € 7.50.
Frits Baarda, Publisher the Bengel.
2. Dordtse Waard Route
The Dordtse Waard Route is a walk of almost 50 kilometres along the most beautiful places that the island of Dordrecht has to offer. The walking guidebook describes the route in 9 stages. From a stroll over centuries-old cobblestones along the historic harbours to unpaved paths through the rugged ponds of the Eiland van Dordrecht. Tips on how to reach each stage, resting places and overnight accommodation are provided.
Dordtse Waard Route, € 4,-
Publication: Stichting Wandelsport Dordrecht e.o.
3. City Street Art Tour
In recent years, the public space of Dordrecht has been continuously enriched with artistic murals. Since the inception of Iconclash, at the end of 2016, they have been supporting the city with impressive works of art. Curator Simian Switch selects renowned artists whereby their artworks are in harmony with the immediate surroundings and respond to the historical character of the city.
The route description of the Street Art Tour can be collected free of charge from the VVV tourist office on the Spuiboulevard. Here you can also start your walk.
View or download the Street Art Tour.
4. Biesbosch path
A new 169-kilometre regional trail. About 600 years ago, the flood of St. Elisabeth with its fierce storms, dike breaches and floods put an end to the Groote Waard. In this polder, which stretched from Strijen in the Hoeksche Waard to the fortress town of Heusden in North Brabant, lie the towns of Dordrecht and Geertruidenberg. According to the legend of the Sint-Elisabethflood, 72 villages disappeared forever in the waves. The hiking guide of the Biesbosch path takes you through the former Groote Waard. The path goes over dykes that have held firm at the time, or were later raised around the newly reclaimed land. You will walk through real Biesbosch villages such as Werkendam and Drimmelen, but of course also through the largest freshwater tidal area in Europe; National Park de Biesbosch. Don't forget your binoculars, because you have the chance to spot the sea eagle and the osprey and to see snorkelling tracks of beavers. Starting and ending point is the beautiful fortified town of Geertruidenberg.
Biesboschpad, footprint of the Elisabethflood.
Publication: Wandelnet 2021, € 19.45
5. Drechtsteden walking route network
How much fun is it to map out your own route? The handy walking route network gives you all the freedom and flexibility you need. The Drechtsteden region guarantees no less than 190 kilometres of walking pleasure. This area stretches from the World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk to the southernmost tip of the island of Dordrecht. The junctions will take you past the most beautiful sights and wonderful nature and recreation areas in the region. With the handy map, you can map out your own route in no time, no matter in which direction. The map also gives you useful information about ferries, parking places and bus or train stations. You will find the distance between the different nodes, so that you can determine the exact length of your route in advance. Along the way, you can follow signs and stickers from junction to junction, so you can walk carefree and endlessly.
Walking map Walking in the Drechtsteden.
Published by VVV and Vereniging te Voet, €1.
