Kromme Rijn, Natural river channel in Utrecht province, Netherlands.
The Kromme Rijn is a river in the province of Utrecht that starts near Wijk bij Duurstede and passes through several small towns before reaching the city of Utrecht. Along the way it runs through farmland and orchards, and as it enters the city it splits into a network of canals and urban waterways.
A dam built at Wijk bij Duurstede in 1122 was meant to control flooding and make the river usable for trade. That single intervention changed the course of the water through the region and influenced how the towns along it developed over the following centuries.
Orchards and cherry farms line the banks and give this stretch of the river its character, visible to anyone passing through by foot or bike. The farming tradition here is still active and shapes how the surrounding villages look and feel.
Paths for walking and cycling follow both banks of the river and link the towns along the route. The terrain is generally flat, which makes the river easy to explore at a relaxed pace without needing any special equipment.
The name Kromme Rijn means "crooked Rhine" in Dutch, describing the winding path the river takes compared to the straight main branch of the Rhine. This shape is still easy to notice when looking at a map or following the route on foot.
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