In the footsteps of the Romans on the Roman Limes Trail
Hiking Collection by Marieke Duchatteau
17
days
2-5 h
/ day
164 mi
2,425 ft
2,200 ft
Divided into 17 stages, you walk no less than 260 kilometres (162 mi) along the Roman Limes path with this Collection. You start in Katwijk aan Zee in the west of the country and hike all the way across the Roman northern border to Berg en Dal on the other side.
The route follows the northern border of the Old Roman Empire in the Netherlands, otherwise known as the Limes. Strategically located along rivers, a hike along the Limes means that the path largely meanders through river landscapes. Cities and towns where the Romans settled regularly intersperse the landscape. Many still boast remains from Roman times.
During the walks you follow in the footsteps of the people of this ancient civilisation. Although many of the remains are hidden underground, during this journey you pass by the ruins and reconstructions of gates, towers and fortresses from the Roman Empire. This makes the Limes trail come to life with history!
To expand your knowledge along the way, there’s often the opportunity to visit a museum to further deepen your appreciation of the Romans.
Since you are never far away from a village or town, you can recover in a cafe after a day of hiking or find a place to stay overnight if you decide to walk several stages in a row. If you prefer to go for a day hike, all Tours are accessible by public transport and car.
So, lace up your hiking boots and off you go on a historic field trip with a difference.
Carpe diem!
On The Map
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Last updated: June 20, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- 03:459.18 mi2.4 mph125 ft125 ftFerryIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
Ave, hiker!
The first steps you take in the Roman past are in Katwijk aan Zee. From here you follow the banks of the Rhine for about 15 kilometers to your end point in Leidse Hout.
Right at the start of the route you will pass the bronze 'Brittenburg': a work of art that is reminiscent of the Roman fort…
- 03:027.42 mi2.4 mph100 ft100 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Ave, hiker!
It's time to continue your route on the Roman Limespad. This second stage takes you through the park in Leidse Hout to the beautiful city of Leiden. Along the way you will encounter historical highlights. That promises to be another informative route of 12 kilometers.
It does not date from…
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- 03:097.75 mi2.5 mph50 ft50 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Ave, hiker!
Today you walk 12.5 kilometers on the Roman Limespad, but you will encounter few Roman remains along the way. During your trip from Leiden Lammebrug to Hazerswoude, enjoy the landscapes you encounter along the way. Let yourself be surprised by typical Dutch nature during this tour.
This walk…
- 04:2310.8 mi2.5 mph75 ft50 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Ave, hiker!
Today's route is 17.5 kilometers and leads from Hazerswoude via Alphen aan den Rijn to Zwammerdam.
At the start of the tour you walk through Dutch polder landscapes with recognizable windmills. Just before halfway through the tour you salute Julius Albanianus: the Roman soldier who stands tall…
- 04:3611.4 mi2.5 mph50 ft50 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Good morning!
Today there is a tour of no less than 18 kilometers on the program. Of course you will largely walk again on the Roman Limespad. This time the part that connects starting point Zwammerdam with end point Driebruggen.
You start your walk at Visitor Center Zwammerdam, where you can view special…
- 04:0710.2 mi2.5 mph50 ft50 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Ave and good morning!
It's time to get out your toga, because today you'll be setting quite a few footsteps in the Roman Empire again. And during a route of 16 kilometers from Driebruggen to Woerden.
Today you start walking on a beautiful polder path. Towards Woerden you leave this typical landscape behind…
- 04:3711.4 mi2.5 mph75 ft75 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Good morning, hiking enthusiast!
Today you walk no less than 18 kilometers from Woerden to Leidsche Rijn over soil where Roman finds have been made in many different places.
The contrast between the new construction of Leidsche Rijn and all the historical excavations that have been done here could hardly…
- 04:029.89 mi2.5 mph125 ft125 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Greetings, hiker!
Are you ready for your next steps on the Roman Limespad? Today's route is 16 kilometers long. It first leads through the urban area of Leidsche Rijn and atmospheric Utrecht. You end in Roman style at Fort bij Vechten.
The first, literal, highlight you will pass today is the Dom Tower…
- 03:047.55 mi2.5 mph75 ft75 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Ave!
The campaign of more than 11 kilometers goes along the meandering Kromme Rijn. The rivers were important transport arteries for the Romans. Today you walk the path that the Romans and their goods often traveled by water.
At the start of your route you will pass the imposing Rhijnauwen Castle. Stroll…
- 03:579.72 mi2.5 mph100 ft75 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Good morning!
Get your best Roman outfit out of your closet, because you're going to walk again on the Roman Limes path. On this beautiful day you can enjoy the landscape on the banks of the Kromme Rijn between Werkhoven and Wijk bij Duurstede for no less than 15 kilometers. Need to relax on the way…
- 04:4011.5 mi2.5 mph75 ft75 ftFerryIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
Bye hiker!
Get ready to go; today you exchange the banks of the Kromme Rijn for those of the Nederrijn between Wijk bij Duurstede and Lienden. That's no less than 17 kilometers of relaxing in the open air!
Enjoy sweeping views of the water along the way and take in the surroundings. When peace itself…
- 04:009.84 mi2.5 mph100 ft100 ftFerryIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
Goodbye!
Get ready for another 10-mile walk through the traces of the Romans. Today's campaign leads from Lienden to Wageningen. You will pass Roman buildings, walk along beautiful waters and walk through wonderful nature reserves.
As the first Highlight you walk to a Roman fort today. This replica gives…
- 05:0512.0 mi2.4 mph500 ft500 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Good morning!
Stretch those legs well, because you're about to start a journey of no less than 19 kilometers across the Roman Limes. The walk starts in Wageningen and ends at the Valckeniersbossen and leads through beautiful flora and fauna, over impressive viewpoints and past castles that appeal to the…
- 03:549.38 mi2.4 mph275 ft275 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Ave, hiker!
I hope you got out of bed on the right foot, because that's what you need today for a new 15 kilometer walking route full of surprises. You follow the Roman Limespad between the Valckeniersbossen and Meinerswijk.
The path leads along the contours of the fourteenth-century castle Rosande. The…
- 04:5812.2 mi2.5 mph100 ft100 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Wake up, hiking enthusiast!
It is time to continue your route on the Roman Limespad. Make sure you leave well charged, because no less than 20 kilometers of Roman border awaits you. Leave Meinerswijk behind and head for Bemmel with new energy.
The first 10 kilometers of the tour you have time to think…
- 02:557.01 mi2.4 mph225 ft125 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Get ready for another hiking day!
And a very special one, because today the Roman Limes takes you over 11 kilometers to the city where the Roman Empire in the Netherlands began: Noviomagum, or Nijmegen. So don't forget to bring your toga and walking shoes from Bemmel, and get on your way.
A visit to 'the…
- 02:456.38 mi2.3 mph350 ft250 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
For the very last time: ave!
Pull out your very best toga and don't forget to pack your victory wreath, because today you are on your way to the finish. In this seventeenth stage you walk once more on the Roman Limespad. During a barely 11 kilometers from Nijmegen to Berg en Dal you will see various Highlights…
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Collection Stats
- Tours17
- Distance164 mi
- Duration66:59 h
- Elevation2,425 ft2,200 ft
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