Utrechtse Heuvelrug

The Utrecht Hills are a morainic ridge formed in the second-last ice age (the Saale/Riss glacial). From the Zeist area in the west the ridge runs southeast, gradually gaining height, to reach its highest point (69m/226ft) at Amerongen, and then comes to an abrupt end in the Grebbeberg to the east of Rhenen, on the edge of the Gelderse Vallei (Gelderland plain). Until just after the Second World War tobacco was grown on the south side of the hills. Mostly covered with forest, they are now a favorite holiday region.