Netherlands

Description

Trekvogelpad - by Henk

Is hiking possible in the Netherlands? After all, the country is flat as a pancake!

The answer is: Yes. In fact there are over 80 long distance hiking trails crisscrossing the country. The most important are labeled LAW, abbreviation for Lange Afstand Wandelpad (Dutch for Long Distance Hiking Trail). Walking them is a most enjoyable way of exploring Dutch countryside. Meadows grazing cows, sheep and horses, forests, sand dunes and wetlands, and many often centuries old towns along the way. Apart from the LAW's (red-white markings) there are (often) circular regional trails, the SP's (red-yellow markings).

The LAW's and SP's are maintained by Stichting Wandelnet, often in cooperation with the NIVON / Friends of Nature. But there are more organisations marking paths: two sport hiking organisations, the KNBLO (red-blue markings) and the NWB (orange-blue markings). Often, topoguides are issued of these paths. Lastly we must mention the provincial nature conservancy organisations, who set out interesting itineraries for nature lovers.

Recomended LAW's:

  • Zuiderzeepad, 400 km, Hollands Golden Age on display.
  • Trekvogelpad, 380 km, From West to East, varied trail, gives a good impression of the Netherlands as a whole.
  • Maarten van Rossumpad, 308 km, also very varied.
  • Wad- en Wierdenpad, 123 km, dykes, polders and vast views in the quiet north east of the country.
  • Pieterpad, 492 km, maybe not the most attractive, but by far the most popular trail of the Netherlands.

Best hiking in the Netherlands is in the busy west. The Dutch Green Lung is the big empty space between the main cities The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht. This space, barely known by the Dutch themselves (they rush along in cars), consists of polders, ingenuous waterways, dykes, lakes, and very old villages and farmsteads. The polder landscape can be found in the northern provinces too, or along the river delta. Some patches are very beautiful and you will experience real solitude, others can be boring.

All trails are waymarked, but not always very well. Luckily, there are excellent Dutch guidebooks, with an English section and with maps that show you the correct way. Several LAW's coincide with the European Long Distance Trails E2, E8, E9 and E11.

Enjoying the Netherlands is enjoying the odd encounter with people, villages, buildings, architecture, things happening, and the neat houses and gardens showing off one's high morale. There is also some remoteness in the North and North East. Dutch trails have no difficulties, except the occasional crossing of a busy road or sharing the path with horse-carts and bikers. Keep in mind you're walking on paved roads most of the time, and alternatively grassy, often wet dykes. Therefore, light waterproof shoes are best. Along most routes you will find camping sites, B&B's, shops and public transport in almost every village.

Map

Hiking Trails Netherlands N

Hiking Trails Netherlands M

Hiking Trails Netherlands S

Trails

Regions

States

Books

Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Broken Road
  • The long-awaited final volume of the trilogy by Patrick Leigh Fermor. A Time of Gifts and Between the Woods and the Water were the first two volumes in a projected trilogy that would describe the walk that Patrick Leigh Fermor undertook at the age of eighteen from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople. 'When are you going to finish Vol. III?'... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Broken Road
  • The long-awaited final volume of the trilogy by Patrick Leigh Fermor. A Time of Gifts and Between the Woods and the Water were the first two volumes in a projected trilogy that would describe the walk that Patrick Leigh Fermor undertook at the age of eighteen from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople. 'When are you going to finish Vol. III?'... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2010
  • Plantenkijk-wandelgids van Nederland
  • Nederland telt meer dan 1600 wilde plantensoorten. Meestal is daarvan maar een fractie te zien: ze staan op onbereikbare plaatsen of in afgesloten natuurterreinen, of ze bloeien op tijden die je niet verwacht. Juist deze soorten vaak de parels van de Nederlandse flora worden in de Plantenkijk | wandelgids van Nederland beschreven.De beste... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2010
  • Plantenkijk-wandelgids van Nederland
  • Nederland telt meer dan 1600 wilde plantensoorten. Meestal is daarvan maar een fractie te zien: ze staan op onbereikbare plaatsen of in afgesloten natuurterreinen, of ze bloeien op tijden die je niet verwacht. Juist deze soorten vaak de parels van de Nederlandse flora worden in de Plantenkijk | wandelgids van Nederland beschreven.De beste... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2009
  • Wandelgids Vervoering in de Voerstreek | Uitgeverij Tic
  • De Voer is een kleine rivier die in Voeren (B) ontspringt en bij Eijsden (Nl) in de Maas stroomt. De Voerstreek is de enige Nederlandstalige gemeente geheel omsloten door de provincie Luik in België. Het gebied dat onmiddellijk grenst aan Zuid-Limburg is heel lang onontgonnen gebleven en is tot op heden gespaard van grootschalige... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
2014
  • Waar een wil is, is geen weg
  • 'Overal waar ik in Nederland wandel, ben ik in de greep van een organisatie,' heeft Koos van Zomeren eens gezegd. Hij heeft gelijk: het hele land is overdekt met een dicht netwerk van paaltjes en paddenstoelen met gemarkeerde, uitgezette, nauwgezet beschreven wandelroutes. GPS doet de rest: het is schier onmogelijk geworden te verdwalen in een... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2014
  • Waar een wil is, is geen weg
  • 'Overal waar ik in Nederland wandel, ben ik in de greep van een organisatie,' heeft Koos van Zomeren eens gezegd. Hij heeft gelijk: het hele land is overdekt met een dicht netwerk van paaltjes en paddenstoelen met gemarkeerde, uitgezette, nauwgezet beschreven wandelroutes. GPS doet de rest: het is schier onmogelijk geworden te verdwalen in een... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2010
  • Op Pad Met On Track Kastelen En Buitenplaatsen
  • Op pad met On Track- 14 wandel- en fietsroutes van 9 tot 48 km- gedetailleerde topografische kaarten bij elke route- duidelijke routebeschrijving, punt voor punt beschreven- talrijke natuurweetjes - praktische informatie over het start- en eindpunt, horeca onderweg, wandelen met de hond en bereikbaarheid- gratis inlogcode voor het bekijken en... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2010
  • Op Pad Met On Track Kastelen En Buitenplaatsen
  • Op pad met On Track- 14 wandel- en fietsroutes van 9 tot 48 km- gedetailleerde topografische kaarten bij elke route- duidelijke routebeschrijving, punt voor punt beschreven- talrijke natuurweetjes - praktische informatie over het start- en eindpunt, horeca onderweg, wandelen met de hond en bereikbaarheid- gratis inlogcode voor het bekijken en... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2014
  • Wandelgids Maaspad | Buijten & Schipperheijn
  • 'Het uur van de Maas', zo noemt auteur Nico Gerrits het Maaspad. Vanwege de elementen natuur, cultuur en avontuur. De maas biedt een gevarieerd landschap, decor van een boeiende geschiedenis, van culturele monumenten en een steeds veranderende natuur. Het Maaspad is een lange-afstands-wandelroute van 415 km en loopt van het Limburgse... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • On Wet Foundations
  • A disused barge bought in Holland, a cargo hold converted in Belgium and a live aboard lifestyle discovered in France. The amusingly told story of how and why a British couple escaped from noise, traffic and junk mail and built their home and their dream on water. An embarrassingly mouthy parrot, a cat that wants to walk on water and an antique... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • On Wet Foundations
  • A disused barge bought in Holland, a cargo hold converted in Belgium and a live aboard lifestyle discovered in France. The amusingly told story of how and why a British couple escaped from noise, traffic and junk mail and built their home and their dream on water. An embarrassingly mouthy parrot, a cat that wants to walk on water and an antique... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
2010
  • Gelderse Valley
  • Gelderse Valley on a waterproof, tear-resistant, GPS compatible walking map at 1:25,000 from Trage Paden, in a series of maps with extensive overprint for long-distance and local walking routes. GPS waypoints and route profiles are available for download from the publisher’s website.Contours used in this map series vary between 2,5 to 5m... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • C30 Harwich to Hoek van Holland and Dover Strait
  • Plans included:Dunkerque (1:25 000)Nieuwpoort (1:30 000)Oostende (1:20 000)Blankenberge (1:10 000)Zeebrugge (1:35 000)Breskens (1:12 500)Vlissingen (1:20 000)On this edition the latest wind farm information is included as is the latest depth survey information. Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Holland Cycling Region Bikeline Map-Guide
  • A tour around the Ijsselmeer, plus 15 shorter day tours in the western part of the Netherlands, altogether offering over 1000km of cycle routes presented by the Verlag Esterbauer in guide with maps at 1:75,000 showing the routes and their variants. Extensive information is conveyed by symbols, indicating road surface, campsites and other... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Belgian Coast - Bruges Cycling Map 30
  • The coast of Belgium at 1:50,000 in a series from Falk B.V. showing the network of signposted cycling routes on large, double-sided indexed maps with prominent highlighting of long-distance LF routes, symbols indicating accommodation and other tourist services, plus in each title two or more panels with recommended local circuits and additional... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • De Peel
  • De Peel area of the Netherlands in a series of walking and cycling maps at 1:25,000 – 1:35,000, published by Falk BV in cooperation with Staatsbosbeheer – Dutch government’s organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves.Colouring indicates different types of vegetation or terrain: woodland, pastures, heath or sand dunes. Given... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2010
  • The IJssel
  • The Ijssel is the first of a series two recreational maps for the Flevoland region.These maps were created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the province of Flevoland. They are double-sided indexed maps at 1:50,000 scale, featuring a detailed topography with prominent highlighting of the cycle routes and packed with practical tourist... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • De Biesbosch
  • De Biesbosch area of the Netherlands in a series of walking and cycling maps at 1:25,000 – 1:35,000, published by Falk BV in cooperation with Staatsbosbeheer – Dutch government’s organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves.Colouring indicates different types of vegetation or terrain: woodland, pastures, heath or sand dunes.... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Kempenland - de Meijerij Falkplan Cycling Map 18
  • Kempenland region of the Netherlands at 1:50,000 in a series from Falk B.V. showing the network of signposted cycling routes on large, double-sided indexed maps with prominent highlighting of long-distance LF routes, symbols indicating accommodation and other tourist services, plus in each title two or more panels with recommended local... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • North Holland - with Kennemerland Falkplan Cycling Map 13
  • North Holland Province of the Netherlands at 1:50,000 in a series from Falk B.V. showing the network of signposted cycling routes on large, double-sided indexed maps with prominent highlighting of long-distance LF routes, symbols indicating accommodation and other tourist services, plus in each title two or more panels with recommended local... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Meinweg - Leudal
  • Meinweg - Leudal area of the Netherlands in a series of walking and cycling maps at 1:25,000 – 1:35,000, published by Falk BV in cooperation with Staatsbosbeheer – Dutch government’s organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves.Colouring indicates different types of vegetation or terrain: woodland, pastures, heath or sand... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Dunes of the Central Holland 22
  • The Dunes of the Central Holland Province of the Netherlands in a series of walking and cycling maps at 1:25,000 – 1:35,000, published by Falk BV in cooperation with Staatsbosbeheer – Dutch government’s organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves.Colouring indicates different types of vegetation or terrain: woodland,... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Het Groene Woud
  • “Het Groene Woud” map in 1:25,000 belong to a series of eleven walking from Falk, which cover the most beautiful hiking areas in four regions: North Brabant in the south, the tip of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen in the north of the country.“Het Groene Woud” (the green forest) map covers an area of approximately 26 x 16 km in North... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Gooi & Vechtstreek: Hilversum - Amersfoort - Utrecht
  • Gooi and Vechtstreek - a popular hiking area south-east of Amsterdam - on a light, double-sided, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS-compatible maps at 1:25,000 from ANWB, the country’s main motoring and touring organization. Coverage on the northern side extends southwards from the historic town of Naarden, and west/east between the... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Drentsche A
  • Drentsche A area of the Netherlands in a series of walking and cycling maps at 1:25,000 – 1:35,000, published by Falk BV in cooperation with Staatsbosbeheer – Dutch government’s organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves.Colouring indicates different types of vegetation or terrain: woodland, pastures, heath or sand dunes.... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Oostvaardersplassen
  • Oostvaardersplassen area of the Netherlands in a series of walking and cycling maps at 1:25,000 – 1:35,000, published by Falk BV in cooperation with Staatsbosbeheer – Dutch government’s organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves.Colouring indicates different types of vegetation or terrain: woodland, pastures, heath or sand... Read more
More maps…

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