5 magnificent hikes to do in the Netherlands
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Loading... - Diaz Mario
- 12 May 2023
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As the temperatures drop and the days become shorter, it doesn't mean you have to confine yourself to indoor activities. Hiking is an excellent outdoor activity to explore the Dutch countryside and get some exercise. Despite the cooler and wetter weather, the Dutch national parks showcase the stunning colors that are worth experiencing.
The Netherlands may be known for its flat terrain, but it does not lack beautiful hiking trails to explore. Here are five of our top picks for the most magnificent hikes.
Utrechtse Heuvelrug
Located on the outskirts of Utrecht, the Utrechtse Heuvelrug is a stunning national park with more than 50 walking trails that range from 2 to 21 kilometers in length. Some of the routes are wheelchair-accessible, and dogs are allowed on others. The most popular trail is the 8.9-kilometer route, starting from Pannenkoekenhuis Bergzicht in Woudenberg, which takes you on a scenic journey through the forest before ending back at the pancake house for a well-deserved treat.
Veluwe National Park
The Veluwe is often considered the most beautiful national park in the Netherlands, with plenty of well-established and signposted walking trails suitable for hikers of all levels. These trails range from 1.7 to 55 kilometers, and many are dog and child-friendly. One of the most popular trails is the 26-kilometer Rondje Barneveld, which takes you around the town of Barneveld in the heart of Veluwe. For a shorter hike, try the 6.7-kilometer Hendrik Mouwenveldroute, which takes you through different kinds of nature, and if you're lucky, you may spot some deer.
The Elfstedenpad
If you are familiar with the infamous elfstedentocht, which sees skaters cover 199 kilometers across frozen canals, lakes, and rivers through 11 towns in Friesland, you might be curious to know that you can walk the route all year round. The total distance is around 283 kilometers, but you can choose to walk or cycle just part of it. For example, the 15.7-kilometer route starting in Berlikum and finishing in Hallumerhoek offers a glimpse of the beauty of the Dutch polder. Alternatively, the 20.6-kilometer Bolsward - Waddenzeedijk route finishes right on the coast of Friesland.
The Nieuwe Waterliniepad
The Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, a recent addition to the Netherlands' list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offers an exciting option for avid walkers and cyclists. The 350-kilometer route stretches from Volendam, through Haarlem and across to Naarden, before heading south through Utrecht to the endpoint in Dordrecht. You can opt to follow part of the route and choose to walk one of the 21 legs of the walk, ranging from around 12 to over 23 kilometers in length, depending on what parts of the historic city defense lines you're most interested in seeing.
The Pieterpad
The Pieterpad is the most famous hiking trail in the Netherlands, spanning almost 500 kilometers from Pieterburen in northern Groningen to the top of Mount Saint Peter, south of Maastricht. The trail offers a stunning view of many different parts of the Netherlands, but completing the entire route would require 16 to 38 days.
