The Waal is the main distributary branch of the Rhine, flowing approximately 80 km through the Netherlands from Millingen aan de Rijn in Gelderland to Gorinchem, where it joins the Afgedamde Maas to form the Boven Merwede. It carries roughly 65% of the total Rhine flow, with an average discharge of around 1,500 m³/s, making it one of the most powerful and heavily trafficked waterways in the country.

The river's primary function is commercial navigation — it is the major waterway connecting the port of Rotterdam to Germany — and paddlers should treat it accordingly. Large cargo vessels, tankers, and passenger ships use the Waal continuously, and the shipping traffic is dense enough that crossing the river requires careful timing and attention. The current is strong and consistent, running downstream toward Rotterdam, which makes west-to-east paddling significantly more demanding than traveling with the flow.

Towns with direct river access include Nijmegen, Tiel, Zaltbommel, and Gorinchem. Several marinas along the route offer stopping points for paddlers. In Zaltbommel, the Lindenberghaven accommodates pleasure boats up to 15 meters for up to two consecutive 24-hour periods. In Nijmegen, boats wishing to moor must notify the Port Authority. The marina of Tielse Watersportvereniging De Waal in Tiel sits roughly midway between Nijmegen and Gorinchem on the starboard side when traveling downstream.

East of Nijmegen, the river bends sharply and narrows, historically creating a bottleneck with swirling currents. A flood-relief channel has since been excavated on the north side of the river at Nijmegen to improve flow capacity, altering the local hydraulics in that stretch.

Long-distance paddlers sometimes use the Waal as part of cross-country routes through the Netherlands, though the combination of strong current and heavy commercial traffic demands experience with open, fast-moving water and an understanding of inland shipping rules. Wild camping along the banks is generally not a viable option in this densely populated corridor, and campsites in the Netherlands typically cost between 10 and 40 euros per night.