Strolling at Reigerstad Vianen
When herons nested in the Viaanse Bos in the 17th century, Vianen got its nickname: heron city. Stroll through the green area around this city.
Start at car park P3 at Zomerdijk (Vianen northeast) if you come by car. We dive into the floodplains of the Lek, this one called the Pontwaard. Walk parallel to the gully with cliffs.
Pontwaard
In 2013-2015, the old Pontwaard channel was excavated (as part of 'Room for the Lek'). Immediately after construction, it was found that the banks of the channel are subject to erosion by shipping. You walk along hefty cliffs here. The Lek is a freshwater tidal river. The average tide difference between daily high and low water is about 1.25 metres at Vianen. In summer, when all or most of the weir at Hagestein is closed, the daily tide difference can exceed 1.50 metres.
Go na...
When herons nested in the Viaanse Bos in the 17th century, Vianen got its nickname: heron city. Stroll through the green area around this city.
Start at car park P3 at Zomerdijk (Vianen northeast) if you come by car. We dive into the floodplains of the Lek, this one called the Pontwaard. Walk parallel to the gully with cliffs.
Pontwaard
In 2013-2015, the old Pontwaard channel was excavated (as part of 'Room for the Lek'). Immediately after construction, it was found that the banks of the channel are subject to erosion by shipping. You walk along hefty cliffs here. The Lek is a freshwater tidal river. The average tide difference between daily high and low water is about 1.25 metres at Vianen. In summer, when all or most of the weir at Hagestein is closed, the daily tide difference can exceed 1.50 metres.
After the swing gate, turn left over the bridge. This is the 'Pont Napoleon', because this is where the emperor crossed the Lek to Vreeswijk in 1811. Immediately after the bridge, go through another swing gate via the camper site. Follow the bank of the Lek, passing under the motorway, then you come to the big pond in the Middelwaard: De Put.
Middelwaard
Where there is now a large body of water (Middelwaard), there were three closely spaced sandbanks in the Lek in the early 16th century. Centuries after the current channel became the main channel, some of the sand was excavated. This was used for the widening of the A2 motorway.
Walk counterclockwise around the lake. Along the Lek bank, you have beautiful cliffs again. Before the big gate by the forest, turn right through the swing gate up the dike. On the dike, turn right and take the first path (after 150 metres) down the dike. After the small bridge, take the first street on the left (Margaretha van Daunstraat), then you come to the place where Amaliastein castle used to stand.
Viaanse Bos
The Viaanse Bos was the country house of the van Brederode family, Lords of Vianen. This included the small castle Amaliastein, built around 1550 and demolished again in 1815, named after Hendrik van Brederode's wife. The country houses allowed the wealthy to escape the filth and bustle of the cities. The castle grounds now house a playground. Large parts of the Vian Forest were probably used centuries ago to extract clay, hence its low and often wetness. Until the 1950s, the forest was used as a coppicing field. The water level in the ditches is often lower than the level of the Lek, causing seepage water to rise in the forest.
Walk a little parallel to A2 before turning right under the tunnel. Across the Jufferslaantje, you enter Vianen through the Hofpoort. Via Hofplein, Kortendijk and Voorstraat, you reach your starting point again.
Source: Struingids
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Description
When herons nested in the Viaanse Bos in the 17th century, Vianen got its nickname: heron city. Stroll through the green area around this city.
Start at car park P3 at Zomerdijk (Vianen northeast) if you come by car. We dive into the floodplains of the Lek, this one called the Pontwaard. Walk parallel to the gully with cliffs.
Pontwaard
In 2013-2015, the old Pontwaard channel was excavated (as part of 'Room for the Lek'). Immediately after construction, it was found that the banks of the channel are subject to erosion by shipping. You walk along hefty cliffs here. The Lek is a freshwater tidal river. The average tide difference between daily high and low water is about 1.25 metres at Vianen. In summer, when all or most of the weir at Hagestein is closed, the daily tide difference can exceed 1.50 metres.
After the swing gate, turn left over the bridge. This is the 'Pont Napoleon', because this is where the emperor crossed the Lek to Vreeswijk in 1811. Immediately after the bridge, go through another swing gate via the camper site. Follow the bank of the Lek, passing under the motorway, then you come to the big pond in the Middelwaard: De Put.
Middelwaard
Where there is now a large body of water (Middelwaard), there were three closely spaced sandbanks in the Lek in the early 16th century. Centuries after the current channel became the main channel, some of the sand was excavated. This was used for the widening of the A2 motorway.
Walk counterclockwise around the lake. Along the Lek bank, you have beautiful cliffs again. Before the big gate by the forest, turn right through the swing gate up the dike. On the dike, turn right and take the first path (after 150 metres) down the dike. After the small bridge, take the first street on the left (Margaretha van Daunstraat), then you come to the place where Amaliastein castle used to stand.
Viaanse Bos
The Viaanse Bos was the country house of the van Brederode family, Lords of Vianen. This included the small castle Amaliastein, built around 1550 and demolished again in 1815, named after Hendrik van Brederode's wife. The country houses allowed the wealthy to escape the filth and bustle of the cities. The castle grounds now house a playground. Large parts of the Vian Forest were probably used centuries ago to extract clay, hence its low and often wetness. Until the 1950s, the forest was used as a coppicing field. The water level in the ditches is often lower than the level of the Lek, causing seepage water to rise in the forest.
Walk a little parallel to A2 before turning right under the tunnel. Across the Jufferslaantje, you enter Vianen through the Hofpoort. Via Hofplein, Kortendijk and Voorstraat, you reach your starting point again.
Source: Struingids
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