The best winter walks in Holland
Nature in Holland is simply beautiful… and that’s no less the case in winter! The attractive landscapes and hills of the Veluwe, the stunning dunes and beaches, and the fantastic forests in the Green Heart of the country are as lovely to behold in winter as in any other season. We selected three wonderful winter walks for you.
- Discover the best winter walks in Holland.
- Go on a walking tour through the Veluwe, Utrechtse Heuvelrug or Waterleidingduinen.
- Enjoy forests, heathlands and coastal areas full of amazing animals, plants and trees.
1. Walking in the Veluwe (11 or 14 kilometres)
This wonderful tour through forest-rich land takes you through Veluwezoom National Park. You will cross the hills of the Onzalige Bossen (‘wretched woods’), which used to be part of the hunting grounds of the Princes of Orange, after which the landscape changes to impressive heathlands near the Posbank and Zijpenberg. From here, you can choose to walk towards either the railway station in Rheden or the station in Velp (11 km Rheden, 14 km Velp). The end of the route takes you back into dense forests, passing the lovely springs in the Beekhuizerbeek valley. Start point: Dieren, end point: Velp or Rheden.
2. Walking at the Utrechtse Heuvelrug (19 kilometres)
Explore the changing landscapes around the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, from dense pine forests and majestic beech and oak-lined lanes to agricultural fields and meadows. While the landscape is hilly, as the name suggests, it is never truly steep. You will pass beautiful properties, Henschotermeer lake and the famous Austerlitz Pyramid (erected in 1804 to honour Napoleon). Don’t forget to have a really good look at the Maarnse Raadhuisje, or Maarn town hall! Start and end points: Maarn
3. Walking through the Waterleidingduinen (16 kilometres)
Zandvoort, about 30 minutes from Amsterdam, is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of deciduous forests, dunes and beaches. You will start at the railway station and walk part of the way through the centre of Zandvoort, a pleasant seaside resort, before entering the northerly part of the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen (Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes). You may spot deer, foxes and cormorants and you will certainly enjoy the panoramic views from the dune ridges. Your way back to the starting point leads over a beautiful section of the Zandvoort beach. Start and end points: Zandvoort railway station
Winter weather
Of course, it is rather cool in Holland in winter. It might even snow and freeze but the walking routes are no less beautiful. December is the wettest month and February the coldest one but even then you can still go for a wonderful, bracing walk or bicycle ride. Make sure to bring warm clothes and a thermos of tea or coffee so you can warm up during a well-earned break.
