Nijmegen 4 Day Marches - Day 1
Netherlands
Distance 44km Climb 50m
Tuesday 18 July 2017
Due to some changes I did not think I would get the opportunity to again take part in such an amazing event. So when I was given the chance to take part in this years 101st Nijmegen Marches, I jumped at the chance. You can follow the links 2013 and 2014 to see my Day 1 of previous events.
We lined up early in the morning at
the camp ready to move to our start.
From the camp we moved
down the forest road, Beukenlaan.
Leaving the wood under the Heumensoord sign we crossed straight over the road, traffic was being held back by the police. We walked the road straight ahead from the camp. At the top of the road we were directed left which led us beside some sports fields and beach volleyball courts. A right turn at the next corner took us onto one of the main roads into Nijmegen. Walking the road we passed the church below on our left. I have a photo of this church on both my previous Nijmegen Marches blog pages.
After a couple of km we crossed the main start line on Prins Bernhardstraat. This was where we merged with a mass of other people who were doing the March. A turn right between the shops brought us to an open area that turns left towards the Nijmegen Bridge over the Waal.
The bridge took us into the district of Lent. As we crossed the bridge I noticed the walking crowds ahead, were all heading in a different direction to my previous Marches. Today we turned left and headed west, following by the Waal. It appeared we were walking this March in a reverse direction to previous years.
Look at the big sky, along Oosterhoutsedijk the new bridge looked good.
Our route turned slightly north east as we walked round lake Waaiensteinkolk where we had a brief stop.
Starting again the path continued westerly around the lakes I caught sight of a grey heron, fishing down to my left. He was not phased by the thousands of walkers passing a short distance away.
Walking north westerly, crowds were gathering as we entered Oosterhout. Bands played, children handed out sweets, cucumber and other things to us as we walked the streets. With high fives and waves.
I caught sight of my first windmill.
Passing through Slijk-Ewijk more crowds, this was just the start. We were continuing north west almost following a parallel line with the Waal.
Along here we passed what looked like an albino kangaroo or is it a wallaby?
A sharp right turn north east, then left north west, before the path turns south west. Turning almost right round the route goes back north east up towards Valburg.
It would be difficult to get lost, as everyone was going the same way, however it could be so easy to lose my friends in the crowds. As with previous years and one of the reason's why I wanted to do this again was the atmosphere, there were thousands of people involved. Many walking and as many watching, in places like Elst.
We were now walking directly east.
The route turns south then east.
After a few km it turns south again through Bemmel.
A few twists west and south and we were heading back into Lent.
On the road heading towards the Nijmegen Bridge.
We crossed the Nijmegen Bridge and the route was the reverse of the route we had taken to the bridge earlier this morning, passing through the city.
Only now the walking crowds were tight and the pace was slow as we walked through the streets full of bars and bands, noise was everywhere. Through a large seating area and passed the main finish where we left the other walkers. We however still had a few km's to go.
On the way back to the campsite, we had a short rest, before continuing passed the church and turned left.
Passed the beach volleyball courts, a turn right down a road full of welcome shade. At the bottom of the road, traffic was stopped to allow us to cross under the Heumensoord sign. Into the grateful shelter of the wood and back to our own finishing point.
Day 1 completed, distance 44km with 50m climb.
After completing my admin, I was in bed early ready to do it all again tomorrow. Excellent.
More to follow
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Nijmegen 4 Day Marches or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to next Day - Day 2 Wednesday 19 July 2017
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