Lower Rhine Heights

Lower Rhine Heights is a glacial ridge system that curves from Krefeld to Nijmegen through the lowland plain in a distinct arc. The formation lies between the Rhine and Niers valleys with peaks reaching around 106 meters (350 feet) above the surrounding terrain.

The ridge system formed during the Saale glaciation when glaciers advanced from the northeast, depositing terminal moraine ridges. These ancient glacial movements shaped the terrain that exists today and created the area's distinctive topography.

The ridges have shaped settlement patterns and shaped how communities developed along their slopes for centuries. Local villages took advantage of the elevated terrain for orchards and small vineyards that still dot the landscape today.

The area is crossed by marked hiking trails that give access to the peaks and surrounding landscape in all directions. The slopes are gentle and the terrain works well for both casual walks and longer hikes depending on your preference.

The glacial movements left behind a distinctive W-shaped pattern of ridges and basins between Nijmegen and Kleve, particularly visible at Groesbeek and Kranenburg. This unusual arrangement shows how the advancing ice shaped the terrain in ways that are still recognizable when you walk the landscape.