The Wedren - Nijmegen

The Wedren is the most important place during the Nijmegen Four Days Marches. On a normal day, this place is nothing more than an ordinary car park. However, that changes in the third week of July.

At the end of each day, walkers of all distances return to the Wedren. Here lies their finish of yet another day's toil in the summer sun. Every day the place brings redemption. Legs up, a beer or soda in hand. ‘Phew, finally, another day over!’

On the last day, the route also departs from the Wedren, to finish there again in the evening. After the fantastic welcome on the Via Gladiola, the four-day adventure of the participants who finish the event ends in the car park. They are honoured here with a royal decoration: the 4Daagse Cross, in recognition of ‘demonstrated marching skill’. The cross has been awarded since the first edition in 1909.

In the nearby park is a Monument to the friendships formed between Dutch and Japanese walkers. From the 1970s, many Japanese also walked in the Netherlands. In later years, the organisation of the Nijmegen Four Days Marches helped many foreign walking organisations to set up major events. The Monument shows how international the Four Days Marches have become throughout history.

During the entire Four Days Marches, the Wedren is the epicentre of the largest walking event in the world.

Credits for photo during the event: Maaike Vollebergh