The Waal is the main distributary branch of river Rhine flowing to the central Netherlands for about 80 kilometres before joining river Meuse near Woudrichem to form river Boven Merwede.

The name Waal, in Roman times called Vacalis, Vahalis or Valis, later Vahal, is of Germanic origin and is named after the many meanders in the river (Germ. wôh = crooked).

Railroad bridges (with nearest train station on the left and right bank):

• between Nijmegen and Nijmegen Lent
• between Zaltbommel and Geldermalsen