The best walks and hikes around Grave

views of the surroundings of the Henn Dunantsingel

The Hertogswetering is one of the oldest watercourses in the area around Grave and Velp. This long, straight watercourse was constructed in the Middle Ages as part of the drainage system for the Land van Cuijk region. The construction of this watercourse improved the drainage of the wetlands south of the Meuse River and made them suitable for agriculture. The watercourse flows through an open landscape of fields and grasslands and is fed by smaller ditches and springs in the surrounding area. Over the centuries, it has been straightened and deepened several times, but the original character of a classic Brabant watercourse has been preserved. Along the banks, you'll find reed beds, old pollard willows, and several historic farms that owe their location to the watercourse. On hiking trails in this region, the Hertogswetering often forms a tranquil and recognizable landscape element, offering wide views of the surrounding countryside.

A triangle of silence, history, and Brabant monastic culture In the heart of Velp, three striking sites lie almost as neighbors: the Emmaus Monastery, the Bronckhorst Castle Monastery, and the Vincentius Church. Together, they form a compact yet surprisingly rich concentration of religious heritage—a place where Brabant's monastic history is tangible in its stones, gardens, and ancient lanes. The Emmaus Monastery is the largest and most recognizable complex. Built in the early 20th century, the monastery exudes the subdued atmosphere of a time when religious communities still played a central role in village life. The long facades, the walled monastery garden, and the tranquility surrounding the building fit seamlessly into the landscape of Ons Kloosterpad (Our Monastery Path). For years, it was a place of reflection, study, and work rhythm, and that serenity still pervades. A short distance away stands the Bronckhorst Castle Monastery, a striking name that recalls its original purpose. The complex has its roots in an old estate and was later used by religious congregations. Therefore, it has a touch of both a country estate and a monastery. The combination of historic architecture and monastic simplicity makes it a unique transition between secular and religious heritage. In between stands the Vincentius Church, a village church that has been the religious center of Velp for generations. The tower is a familiar silhouette in the landscape, and inside, you'll find the style characteristic of Brabant village churches: modest, yet with attention to detail and tradition. The church forms, as it were, the connecting link between the monasteries and daily village life. Walking here, you move through a small area where three different layers of religious history intersect: the tranquility of monastic life, the allure of an old estate, and the familiarity of the village church. None of these three stands alone; together, they tell the story of Velp as a monastic village—a place where religion, culture, and history blend naturally.

St. Elisabeth's Church in Grave is a neo-Gothic brick church built in 1870–1872, designed by architect C. Weber, one of the most renowned church builders of the 19th century. The church replaced an older medieval parish church and is dedicated to St. Elisabeth of Thuringia. The building is notable for its slender tower, buttresses, and tall pointed-arch windows, typical of the neo-Gothic style. Inside, there are several 19th-century statues of saints and stained-glass windows. Together with the Emmaus Monastery and the area surrounding the market square, the church forms a historic religious ensemble in Grave.

From this vantage point, you have a panoramic view of the Meuse River, right where it bends past Grave. You can clearly see how wide the river is and how the floodplains on both sides provide space for the water at high tide. The constant interplay of currents, wind, and light creates a vibrant landscape: from slowly gliding barges to water swirling along the dike heads. In the distance, you can often see the outline of the bridge at Grave and parts of the town's fortifications. This view connects the current river landscape with Grave's long history as a strategic Meuse fortress.

The Van Sasse Pumping Station near Grave is a striking waterworks that plays a key role in controlling the waters of the Meuse River. Built at the end of the 19th century, it forms, together with the nearby locks and dikes, an ingenious system that protects the land behind it from high water levels. The pumping station is named after Cornelis van Sasse, a hydraulic engineer involved in the construction of various Meuse-Rhine projects. The robust brick casing with large round arches and iron details reflects the typical industrial architecture of that period. From the walking route, you have a good view of the water inlets, the discharge pipes, and the heavy metal gates. The entire structure demonstrates how important water management has always been here: without these types of installations, the low-lying areas around Grave would be much more vulnerable to flooding. The pumping station is no longer in use, but it remains a recognizable part of the landscape and a tangible reminder of the battle against the water.

The herd of Scottish Highland cattle in the area around Tongelaar is used for natural grazing. Their peaceful nature and varied diet help them keep the landscape semi-open, preserving herb-rich grasslands, young heathland, and natural transitions between forest and open terrain. Their management contributes to biodiversity and prevents the area from becoming completely overgrown with herbaceous plants.

This area, with no fewer than nine lakes, offers something for everyone. Surfers, birdwatchers, sun worshippers, and much more. All of this is possible at the Kraaijenbergse Plassen.