hiking areas in the Netherlands
Sallandse Heuvelrug
7 Januari 2024
23 Januari 2026

12 beautiful hiking areas in the Netherlands, from heathland to forests

Although I often loudly proclaim that we "never leave the city," there's now a whole category on Your Little Black Book where I save tips for those just outside the city and exploring the countryside. By getting in the car every weekend and going for a walk outside the city, I create a kind of best of both worlds for us. It's always wonderful to start the day with a nice walk, but this year we're all walking perhaps more than ever.

what are the most beautiful hiking areas in the Netherlands?

There are plenty of beautiful hiking areas in the Netherlands, so I've created a list of my favorite nature reserves throughout the country. A list that, frankly, will never be complete. That's perhaps even more enjoyable, because every weekend getaway offers a new beautiful nature reserve to discover. Many of the Dutch hikes on this list are only an hour or so's drive from the Randstad, making them perfect for a day trip. Enjoy! 

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𝗔 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗳𝗲́ 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆? @eetcafe_de_reiger is the spot to remember. Cozy, casual, and a seasonal menu. This one was on my list to share for a year and finally it's (almost) asparagus season again! 🤤 Another plus? Prices are very reasonable here! 📍 Eetcafé de Reiger Jordaan, Amsterdam City Center Save this spot for when you're craving warm Dutch traditional dishes in the heart of Amsterdam. And did you hear the same team took over Eetcafé van Beeren? I can't wait to go there too! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
A grandma's cookbook. Three Michelin stars. And a beautiful 70s villa in a quiet neighborhood in Bangkok, where you are welcomed as if you were at the chefs' home. The Sühring brothers don't cook based on trends; they cook based on memories. Of their grandmother's farm, of the flavors of their youth in Germany, and of techniques passed down through generations. @relaischateaux invited me to experience Sühring during a solo lunch, and this is truly my ultimate definition of culinary self-care. This was a surprising afternoon in Bangkok, where I ate the best German food I have ever tasted. And that in a city where I normally avoid European restaurants. Well, for @restaurant_suhring, you really want to make that exception. Signature dishes that I still think back to regularly? 🍴 Labskaus with caviar 🍴 Enleta waffle with Pfalz vinegar 🍴 Game pâté 🍴 Dry-aged Duck TIP: When you go to Sühring, reserve seats at the kitchen bar so you have a view of the chefs at work! Follow @yourlbb for more tips you can trust. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #prinvited #bangkok #michelin #relaischateaux In this reels, I take you along for fine dining in Bangkok at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Sühring.
This is one of the best free outings in the spring! Did you know that you can gather (or pick, for the connoisseurs 😉) oysters yourself at various locations in the Netherlands? I’m in Zeeland for a bit this weekend, and if we can make it, we’ll go again. 📍In this video, I show you where you can fill your bucket. Comment *oester* for the comprehensive guide with all the details about all 8 locations + handy tips and rules. Important to know: – Max. 10 kilos per person (≈ 1 bucket) – For personal use only – Do not scoop or scrape the seabed – Go at low tide Handy things to bring: Bucket, screwdriver, boots, work gloves, tea towel, clean clothes, and garbage bags (for the oysters *and* dirty clothes). And of course: bring an oyster knife, lemon, and champagne too 🍋🥂 Because you’ll want to taste something right away, won’t you! The oyster season runs from September to about April / early May, so now that the water isn't so cold, this is the perfect outing. In the full guide, I share exactly where you can easily find them, without much effort. Comment oyster and I'll send it to you right away! Who do you want to go oyster gathering with soon? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 These are those few magical weeks each year when the city suddenly feels different. Everything is in bloom and all you want to do is be outside. Coffee to-go in hand, and just head out as soon as the sun shows up. 📍 Bloesempark – Amsterdamse Bos (the classic, yes it gets busy, but totally worth it) 📍 Rijksmuseum 📍 Fruit Garden of West 📍 Westerpark 📍 Jozef Israëlskade 📍 WG site 📍 Nelson Mandelapark 📍 Bos en Lommerplantsoen 📍Amstelpark By mid-April most of the sakura will already be gone, so if you want to catch it: this is your moment. I'll definitely be doing a few more rounds before it's over. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck _______________________________________________ 🌸 Discover the best places to spot cherry blossom in Amsterdam and enjoy the sakura in full bloom. 🌸
3 x home that has the ultimate green space. Not too big, everything within walking distance, but plenty of nice hotspots!! These services (and what clothing) are in the Netherlands 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲! I have massive spring fever, so it's time for a mini-escape: everything is within walking distance, there are lovely coffee shops, boutiques for shopping, and enough gems to discover in 48 hours ✨ Which city is at the top of your list for a spring getaway? Let me know in the comments & save for your next girls' trip. 🖤 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your sign to plan your next weekend brunch with friends in Amsterdam 👀 @ottolenghi_amsterdam is officially open and the new go-to hotspot for flavors of the Levant. Open from breakfast to dinner and I can't wait to go back for a lazy weekend brunch with a table full of dishes and good conversations. Save this one to your Amsterdam Little Black Book 📓! 🖊️ @anne_de_buck ____________________________ Ottolenghi Amsterdam is a new all-day restaurant near Museum Square by chef and entrepreneur @ottolenghi in @mo_hotels @conservatoriumhotel.
beautiful walks in the Netherlands

Walking near Almere

Train City Trips

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12 nature reserves in the Netherlands for walking

Oostkapelle (Zeeland): Put on your boots and take a walk through the woods near Westhove Castle in Zeeland, heading towards the beach. Stroll along the beach along the coast towards Domburg and grab a snack at a beach bar open year-round. View the walks that pass Westhove Castle here >>

more Zeeland tips

Amsterdamse Bos (North Holland): I'm often asked if I know any nice hiking areas that are easily accessible by public transport. Ultimately, everything is accessible, but you often spend a lot of time on public transport. Fortunately, for a walk in nature, you often don't have to leave the city at all. Therefore, a tribute to the Amsterdamse Bos for all Amsterdammers. There are several beautiful walks you can take, such as a loop around the Poel (Poll) and the Bloesemtuin (Blossom Garden). View all walks in the Amsterdamse Bos here >> 

Schoorl (North Holland): We recently spent a weekend in Schoorl and WOW, the surrounding area offers some beautiful walks. There's a fun gnome trail for the kids, but you can also walk straight through the dunes. On the way back, we stopped in Bergen for a bite to eat and a drink. View all tips for Schoorl and the surrounding area here >> 

beautiful walks in the Netherlands

Schoorlse Duinen

More beautiful hiking areas in the Netherlands

Almere (Flevoland): One of the weekend getaways that surprised me most last year was to De Kemphaan in Almere. It's incredibly fun with (small) kids. You can go for walks, there's a petting zoo, and you can even spot monkeys on the islands of the AAP Foundation via a path over the water.

more Flevoland tips

Vechtdal (Overijssel): Take a Sunday stroll through the beautiful Vechtdal valley with its diverse landscape of heathland, lakes, fens, and drifting sand plains. The Forestry Commission has mapped out several lovely walks near Hardenberg. View the Staatsbosbeheer walks here >>

more Overijssel tips

Rhijnauwen (Utrecht): The Rhijnauwen Estate woods offer wonderful walks, yet it's just outside Utrecht. It's one of my favorite spots for a Sunday stroll. A nice detail: you can also stay in an outbuilding on the estate, which houses a Stayokay hotelFor a drink, you've come to the right place at the Tea House in the Woods.

more Utrecht tips

beautiful walks in the Netherlands

Rhijnauwen

More beautiful hiking areas in the Netherlands

Zandvoort / Bloemendaal (North Holland): Another lovely walk, but this time along the coast. Stroll from Zandvoort to Bloemendaal and back. Stop for a fish snack at one of the stalls along the boulevard or visit the beautifully renovated De Republiek (for takeaway). One of the beach pavilions is open year-round, even in winter!

Vogelenzang (North Holland): Are you familiar with the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes nature reserve? It's not far from Amsterdam, but closer to Zandvoort and Haarlem. What makes a walk here extra special is the (high) chance of seeing foxes. There are several restaurants near the nature reserve where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink afterward, such as Buitenplaats Plantage.

more North Holland tips

Lage Vuursche (Utrecht): We recently went for a walk in the woods near Lage Vuursche, and it was so beautiful. Not far from the Randstad, but it felt like you were completely away from it all. After our walk, enjoy a drink or a snack at the hotspot Buiten in de Kuil. View various walking routes here >>

Noordwijk (South Holland): Noordwijk beach is home to a wealth of great beach bars where you can relax after a walk or grab a takeaway. Tulum is my favorite! But all the hotspots on that list are actually great.

more South Holland tips

The Veluwe (Gelderland): Whether you're going to the Veluwe for a whole weekend or just on Sunday for a walk (it's an hour's drive from Amsterdam!), I think it's one of the most beautiful nature parks in the Netherlands. It's also a nice combination with a visit to Kröller Muller MuseumAfter your walk, have a drink at Planken Wambuis. A local institution! There are many walks for the Veluwe to map out. Look here on the Staatsbosbeheer website >>

more Gelderland tips

Sallandse Heuvelrug (Overijssel): During a recent weekend getaway in Deventer, we went for a walk near the Holterberg in the Sallandse Heuvelrug. So beautiful! And at this time of year, there are also plenty of mushrooms. There's a fun gnome trail for the kids, where even the gnomes' clothes hang on a clothesline. Choose the route that passes the Holterberg viewpoint for a nice mix of forest and heathland.

Walking
best hiking areas in the Netherlands

Sallandse Heuvelrug

 | MORE TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP IN THE NETHERLANDS: See also here 11 tips for nice holiday homes in Drenthe, 11 tips for nice hotels on the Wadden Islands en 23 tips for accommodations right by the sea.

Train City Trips

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⋙ Are you following me on Instagram yet? @YOULRBB I share (almost) every day personal tips about delicious food, new places to eat, and a personal glimpse into my life as an entrepreneur and mom of a two-year-old. Do you like kids' tips? Then also follow my dedicated @TRAVELKIDS.CO account about family travel and fun things to do with kids.

⋙ Tip for anyone with wanderlust. Daydream about my travel books: Staycation book (22 guides for the Netherlands and Belgium), Feed Your Wanderlust (with tips for tours / far-away destinations), Wanderlust – Your Urban Travel Style Guide (full of tips for planning the perfect city trip).

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With love,

Anne

| PS: Do you know Your Little Black Book's Green PolicyHere you'll find my personal tips on how to travel and live greener, and I'll explain why and how I offset the CO2 emissions from all the trips #teamyourlbb makes.

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