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Sallandse Heuvelrug
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!
Walking near Almere
12 nature reserves in the Netherlands for walking
Oostkapelle (Zeeland): Put on your boots and take a walk in Zeeland near Oostkapelle through the forest by Westhove Castle towards the beach. Walk along the beach by the sea towards Domburg and grab a treat at a beachside cafe that is open all year round. View the walks that pass by Westhove Castle here >>
Amsterdamse Bos (North Holland): I regularly get asked if I know any nice walking areas that are easily accessible by public transport. Ultimately, everything is accessible, but you often spend a long time on public transport. Fortunately, to 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 past the Poel and the Blossom Garden. View all walks in the Amsterdamse Bos here >>
Schoorl (North Holland): We recently spent a weekend in Schoorl and WOW, the walking in the area is absolutely beautiful. There is a fun gnome trail for the kids, but of course, you can also walk straight through the dunes. On the way back, stop in Bergen for something to eat and drink. View all tips for Schoorl and the surrounding area here >>
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.
Vechtdal (Overijssel): Take a Sunday walk through the beautiful Vechtdal, with its varied landscape of heathland, lakes, fens, and sand drifts. Staatsbosbeheer has mapped out several beautiful walks here near Hardenberg. View the Staatsbosbeheer walks here >>
Rhijnauwen (Utrecht): You can enjoy a beautiful walk in the forest of the Rhijnauwen Estate, yet it is located just outside Utrecht. It is one of my favorite spots for a Sunday walk. Nice detail: you can also stay in an outbuilding of the estate, where a Stayokay hotel is located . For a drink, the Tea House in the forest is the place to be.
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.
Lage Vuursche (Utrecht): We recently went for a walk in the forest near Lage Vuursche and it was so beautiful. Not far from the Randstad, but with the feeling of getting away from it all for a while. After your walk, enjoy a drink or grab a tasty 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.
The Veluwe (Gelderland): Whether you go to the Veluwe for a whole weekend or just on Sunday for a walk (it's only an hour's drive from Amsterdam!), I consider it one of the most beautiful nature parks in the Netherlands. It's also nice to combine it with a visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum . Go for drinks at Planken Wambuis after your walk. A local institution! There are plenty of walks to map out in the Veluwe . Check the Staatsbosbeheer website here >>
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
Sallandse Heuvelrug
| MORE TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP IN THE NETHERLANDS: Also check out 11 tips for nice holiday homes in Drenthe , 11 tips for great hotels on the Wadden Islands , and 23 tips for places to stay right by the sea here.
More TRAVEL tips from Your Little Black Book:
⋙ Are you following me on Instagram yet? On @YOULRBB, I share personal tips about delicious food and new spots (almost) every day, and give a personal glimpse into my life as an entrepreneur and mom to 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 everyone with wanderlust. Dream away for a moment with my travel books: Staycation book (22 guides for the Netherlands and Belgium), Feed Your Wanderlust (with tips for round trips / faraway 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 Policy ? Here you will find my personal tips on how to travel and live greener, and I explain why and how I offset the CO2 emissions of all the trips #teamyourlbb takes.
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