The Geldersche IJssel (also written Gelderse IJssel) is a northward-flowing distributary of the Rhine, beginning at Westervoort on the eastern edge of Arnhem and running approximately 125 kilometres through the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel before discharging into the Ketelmeer near Kampen. The river passes through or near several towns including Doesburg, Zutphen, Deventer, and Zwolle, offering a route through a varied and historically rich Dutch landscape.

The defining characteristic of paddling the IJssel is the presence of heavy commercial barge traffic throughout its length. Currents can be significant, particularly near bends and under bridges, and the combination of strong flow and large vessel wash demands constant attention. A dedicated channel for recreational craft, marked by buoys along the right-hand side of the river, provides some separation from commercial traffic, though paddlers should remain alert at all times. In certain stretches, professional skippers on commercial vessels have been known to communicate directly with recreational users to help navigate potentially dangerous situations.

The river has many bends, which both limits sightlines and creates areas of stronger current on the outside of each curve. Paddlers are advised to use the inside of bends where the current is weaker. Given the volume of commercial traffic, some form of vessel detection or awareness system is strongly recommended.

Access points include the marina at Giesbeek and the port at Zutphen, located in the Vispoortgracht in the town centre. The stretch between Giesbeek and Zutphen covers approximately 30 kilometres. Despite the navigational demands, the river passes through attractive countryside, and the towns along its banks offer practical stopping points for multi-day trips.