Five (still) undiscovered walking routes

It's summer. Say goodbye to the dark days, grey weather and rain, and hello to the sun, terraces and the beautiful flora and fauna the Netherlands has to offer. Reason enough to dust off your walking shoes and head into nature. Want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and clear your head? These lesser-known nature reserves will help you find complete peace.

It's summer! Say goodbye to the dark days, the gray weather and the rain and hello to the sun, terraces and beautiful flora and fauna that the Netherlands has. Reason enough to take out your walking shoes and take a trip to nature. Want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and clear your head? These lesser-known nature reserves will make you completely zen.

Loonse and Drunense Dunes

The 35 square kilometer nature reserve in North Brabant is a combination of forest, heath and sand. Lots of sand. Hence the nickname the Brabant Sahara. Various routes can be walked here and in between you can visit the various catering points.

Forester's path Kootwijk

The 18,6 kilometer long walking route is located in the middle of the Veluwe, where you end up in an oasis of peace. Face to face with red deer and wild boars? Likely. Especially in spring and summer. Forest ranger Laurens Jansen: “During the Kootwijk walk you will encounter everything that makes the Veluwe so fascinating. Discover the Kootwijkerzand, the beautiful juniper berries, the heath, the drifting sand and the rugged old oak forests and gigantic Douglas firs. You can experience the Veluwe by walking along small, narrow winding paths and wide dirt roads.

Gerendal

Tuscany, but in the Netherlands. That is how the area characterizes itself. The hilly Limburg landscape is untouched and a place where sheep dig between the hills and paths wind between hedges full of birds and lush forest edges. There are plenty of options in between to catch your breath at a culinary spot. An occasional house in between completes the picturesque picture.

National Park Zuid-Kennemerland

Located between the North Sea coast and bustling Haarlem you will find a special dune area. According to experts, a true gem among the 21 National Parks of the Netherlands. The park extends over approximately 3800 hectares. This area, like the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes, once served as a water extraction area. The landscape revived since the stop and special plant species such as the parnassia and the wild orchid returned. Seen enough nature? A short break at the iconic inn Kraantje Lek, located at the foot of the dune 'De Blinkert', cannot be missed during your walk. 

The Round Hoep 

A popular piece of polder just below Amsterdam. Here you walk along picturesque, winding dikes and enjoy the view over the vast polder. Near Nes aan de Amstel you can admire the 65 meter high tower of the Sint Urbanus Church and a little further Fort Waver. This fort is part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, a defense line that was constructed about twenty kilometers from the city.