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Dutch IJsselpad

(37 km)
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This beautiful walking route along the Hollandse IJssel leads through the polders of the Green Heart, interspersed with the medieval towns of IJsselstein, Montfoort, Oudewater, Haastrecht and Gouda. You walk mostly on an old towpath along the Hollandse IJssel. Where the route deviates from the river, you walk through the bird-rich Willeskop nature reserve and through authentic farming landscapes.

Stages Hollandse IJselpad
With 37 kilometres, the Hollandse IJsselpad is quite a hike. For those who want to walk less, the route is divided into stages of about 11 kilometres. Mind you, it is a single route. Get picked up at the end of the stage, take public transport or walk back. Under the Directions tab you will find the different stages.

Own signposting
With its own signpost...

This beautiful walking route along the Hollandse IJssel leads through the polders of the Green Heart, interspersed with the medieval towns of IJsselstein, Montfoort, Oudewater, Haastrecht and Gouda. You walk mostly on an old towpath along the Hollandse IJssel. Where the route deviates from the river, you walk through the bird-rich Willeskop nature reserve and through authentic farming landscapes.

Stages Hollandse IJselpad
With 37 kilometres, the Hollandse IJsselpad is quite a hike. For those who want to walk less, the route is divided into stages of about 11 kilometres. Mind you, it is a single route. Get picked up at the end of the stage, take public transport or walk back. Under the Directions tab you will find the different stages.

Own signposting
With its own signposting and clear starting and finishing points in the cities, this walking route is easy to follow. And still haven't experienced enough? Then choose to extend the walking tour by walking further to Krimpen aan den IJssel. The route is signposted both ways.

Due to unpaved quays and stairs, this route is not suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Hollandse IJssel
Around the year 1,200, the Hollandse IJssel was a tributary of the Lek River that started at Het Klaphek, IJsselstein. The settlements of IJsselstein, Montfoort, Oudewater and Gouda were located on the Hollandse IJssel. The population lived from fishing, brick-making, basket-making, rope-making, brewing and trade. In the Middle Ages, rivers were the best way to transport goods and people, and barges were pulled along old towpaths. Thanks to their favourable location on the water, settlements grew into towns.

Vlog and Blog about walking the Hollandse IJsselpad
Want to know more about walking the Hollandse IJsselpad? Or maybe you just want to reminisce 'after work'? Then take a look and read about the experiences of'Wandelvlogger Lana Witte-de Wit' and'Wandelboswachter Ellen'.

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Description

Starting point:

Parking at the Lekboulevard carpool car park, Nieuwegein Zuid
The Klaphek
IJsselstein
Navigate to starting point

This route follows the walking junction network, recognisable by the orange shields with blue numbers and arrows. An overview of all nodes can be found under the Nodes tab.

The Hollandse IJsselpad is divided into 4 stages of 11 kilometres each. At the beginning and end of each stage, you will find a car park or public transport.

Het Klaphek - IJsselstein - 5 km
Parking: Carpool place Lekboulevard, Nieuwegein-Zuid. From the car park it is about 1 km to the starting point. Walk south via the lekdijk and turn right into Het Klaphek. The Hollandse IJsselpad starts here.
Public transport: Closest public transport to the starting point is bus stop Waterbies or tram stop Nieuwegein Zuid. From the end point in IJsselstein, several buses and trams run from the Binnenstad stop to Utrecht. For up-to-date arrival and departure times, check 9292.nl.
Follow the junctions: 97 - 47 - 98 - 29 - 23.
End point: you end up north of IJsselstein city centre. Walk through the IJsselpoort, towards Museum IJsselstein. Then follow the arrows to walking node 22 to end at the Old Town Hall in the city centre.

IJsselstein - Montfoort 10.5 km
Parking: Eiteren car park, Oranjelaantje IJsselstein (paid). Walk from the car park towards Museum IJsselstein (follow Utrechtsestraat and IJsselstraat), go through IJsselpoort to junction 23.
Public transport: Closest public transport to the starting point of this stage is tram stop De Hooghe Waerd or the stop Binnenstad in IJsselstein. From both stops it is about a 10-minute walk to the starting point. From the end point of this stage, the Kasteelplein in Montfoort, a bus runs in the direction of Utrecht or Gouda. For the most up-to-date arrival and departure times, check 9292.nl.
Follow the junctions: 23 - 24 - 25 - 88 - 55 - 57 - 62 - 12 - 63 - 82 - 83 - 79.
End point: Kasteelplein, Montfoort. Parking at Montfoort Castle. From here you can easily walk into the town centre.

Montfoort - Oudewater 11 km
Parking: Kasteelplein, Montfoort. Car park where you will find several info panels with information on walking routes. The car park is at walking junction 79.
Public transport: Closest public transport to the starting point of this stage is bus stop Kasteelplein in Montfoort. From the end point of this stage, Molenwal in Oudewater, a bus runs from bus stop Molenwal in the direction of Utrecht or Gouda. For the most up-to-date arrival and departure times, check 9292.nl.
Follow the junctions: 81 - 56 - 74 - 73 - 69 - 70 - 79 - 71 - 72.
End point: Molenwal, Oudewater. There is a car park at Statenland 1, Oudewater, near the swimming pool. From node 72, go south and follow Molenwal towards the swimming pool.

Oudewater - Gouda 10.5 km
Parking: At Statenland 1, Oudewater, near the swimming pool, there is a car park. Follow the Molenwal north towards junction 72. Pick up the route from there.
Public transport: Closest public transport to the starting point of this stage is bus stop Molenwal in Oudewater. For the nearest bus stops near the end point, Sporthal de Zebra in Gouda, and for the most up-to-date arrival and departure times, check 9292.nl.
Follow the junctions: 72 - 54 - 59 - 50 - 90 - 15 - 86 - 87 - follow the road over the Jaagpad Goverwellepad (cycle path)-until you reach the Goejanerwelledijk. Keep walking at the bottom of the dike (Uiterwaardseweg). At the end walk up the Goejanverwelle dike, across the dike down (via stairs or ramp), walk in line with the stairs to sports hall de Zebra (Zebraweg)-end point.
End point: car park sporthal De Zebra, Zebraweg, Gouda.

NOTE: Due to works, the Tiendweg and Heeswijkschekade between Montfoort and IJsselstein (junction 82 - 12) will be closed until at least early 2026. As a result, the route via the Tiendweg cannot be walked.
Temporary route from Montfoort:
Turn left at the beginning of the Tiendweg (Anne Franklaan). Turn right at roundabout over cycle path along provincial road until exit IJsselstein/Knollemanshoek. Turn right and pick up route again at junction 12.

Endpoint:

Onder de Zebra car park, Zebraweg, Gouda
Zebraweg
2807 DZ Gouda
Navigate to destination
  • 97
  • 47
  • 98
  • 29
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 88
  • 55
  • 57
  • 62
  • 12
  • 63
  • 82
  • 83
  • 79
  • 81
  • 56
  • 74
  • 73
  • 69
  • 70
  • 79
  • 71
  • 72
  • 54
  • 59
  • 50
  • 90
  • 15
  • 86
  • 87

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