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

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Trails

Regions

States

Books

De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
  • Wandelgids Wandelen in het hart van Brabant | Gegarandeerd Onregelmatig
  • Goede wandelgids met veel informatie, goede beschrijvingen en uitstekende topografische kaarten met de route keurig ingetekend. Wat is het precies waarover de Havenzangers hun loftrompet staken toen ze het goede leven in het Brabantse land bezongen? Wandelauteur Charles Aerssens leidt ons aan de hand van 13 wandelingen door het hart van... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2015
  • Wandelgids Een' kloeken dagmarsch | Gegarandeerd Onregelmatig
  • Jacobus Craandijk (1834-1912) was de eerste wandelaar die vrijwel heel Nederland te voet doorkruiste en daar uitgebreid verslag van deed. De acht delen van zijn Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood vormen een standaardwerk waar wandelauteurs tot op de dag van vandaag uit citeren. Craandijk preekte voor de doopsgezinde gemeenten van... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Reisgids 111 plekken in Rotterdam die je gezien moet hebben | Thoth
  • Het hernieuwde zelfvertrouwen van Rotterdan kan niemand ontgaan zijn. De stad bruist, prikkelt en zoemt, en trekt meer bezoekers en toeristen dan ooit tevoren. Maar Rotterdam is meer dan die stad van de ‘opgestroopte mouwen’; Feyenoord, het nieuwe Centraal Station, de Erasmusbrug of de Markthal. Flaneer maar eens over de West-Kruiskade en... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
  • Wandelgids De mooiste boswandelingen van Nederland | Fontaine Uitgevers
  • Een boswandeling is niet alleen gezond (wetenschappelijk bewezen!), het is ook in elk seizoen verrassend. In de lente ontluiken de beuken, eiken en berken en hoor je bosvogels zingen. ’s Zomers bieden bossen koelte en schaduw, en in de herfst zijn er volop paddenstoelen en herfstkleuren. En ’s winters kun je tussen de kale bomen eenvoudig... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2015
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2020
  • DK Eyewitness The Netherlands 7/5/20
  • Colourful canals and culture-filled cities - welcome to the Netherlands.Whether you want to immerse yourself in the exquisite art of Amsterdam`s galleries, cycle through fields of tulips or go cheese tasting in Gouda, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that the Netherlands has to offer. The Netherlands boasts... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Puur Wonen
  • In Puur wonen laten Julia Bird en Bridget Bodoano aan de hand van échte huizen in Amerika, Engeland en Nederland zien hoe elk interieur een ontspannen karakter kan krijgen, vaak al met bescheiden ingrepen. Woonstijlen van klassiek tot landelijk en modern komen aan bod, van buitenshuis tot stadsappartement. Hoe deel je een ruimte in? Hoe maak je... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Puur Wonen
  • In Puur wonen laten Julia Bird en Bridget Bodoano aan de hand van échte huizen in Amerika, Engeland en Nederland zien hoe elk interieur een ontspannen karakter kan krijgen, vaak al met bescheiden ingrepen. Woonstijlen van klassiek tot landelijk en modern komen aan bod, van buitenshuis tot stadsappartement. Hoe deel je een ruimte in? Hoe maak je... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Alpe d'Huez
  • It has been called the Tour de France' s ' Hollywood climb' , and there is no doubt that Alpe d' Huez has played a starring role in cycling' s history since its first encounter with the sport back in 1952 when the legendary Fausto Coppi triumphed on the summit. Re-introduced to the Tour in 1976, Alpe d' Huez has risen to mythical status, thanks... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Alpe d'Huez
  • It has been called the Tour de France' s ' Hollywood climb' , and there is no doubt that Alpe d' Huez has played a starring role in cycling' s history since its first encounter with the sport back in 1952 when the legendary Fausto Coppi triumphed on the summit. Re-introduced to the Tour in 1976, Alpe d' Huez has risen to mythical status, thanks... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2002
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • 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
  • Baronie van Breda
  • Baronie van Breda 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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