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
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
2015
  • Wandelgids Te gek om los te lopen | Gegarandeerd Onregelmatig
  • In vroeger tijden werd de psychiatrie verstopt in afgelegen gebieden van Nederland om de gekte te verbergen en de maatschappij te beschermen. De tijden zijn veranderd, de psychiatrie is naar de maatschappij gehaald. Maar de oude inrichtingen liggen nog op die verstopte plekken. Eenieder uit de streek kent de namen wel van bijvoorbeeld Wolfheze,... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
Bol.com
Netherlands
2017
  • ANWB Ontdek reisgids - Caribisch Nederland
  • ANWB Ontdek reisgids Caribisch NederlandVerken het Caribisch gebied op een andere manier met de uitgebreide ANWB Ontdek reisgids Caribisch Nederland! Natuurlijk mag je bezienswaardigheden zoals de bewegende brug op Curaçao en de goudmijnruïnes op Aruba nietmissen, maar ga ook eens van de gebaande paden en geniet van de spectaculaire... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2017
  • ANWB Ontdek reisgids - Caribisch Nederland
  • ANWB Ontdek reisgids Caribisch NederlandVerken het Caribisch gebied op een andere manier met de uitgebreide ANWB Ontdek reisgids Caribisch Nederland! Natuurlijk mag je bezienswaardigheden zoals de bewegende brug op Curaçao en de goudmijnruïnes op Aruba nietmissen, maar ga ook eens van de gebaande paden en geniet van de spectaculaire... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
  • Wandelgids De loop van Langs de hunebedden | Het Drentse Landschap
  • De Loop langs de Hunebedden is een nieuwe uitgave van Het Drentse Landschap. Deze handzame en overzichtelijke wandelgids brengt u in meerdere dag etappe's langs de Drentse hunebedden. Hans Dekker maakte de foto’s van natuur en landschap onderweg. De gids bevat ook informatie over de geschiedenis van de hunebedden. De Loop langs de Hunebedden is... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Op stap in lente en zomer
  • In de lente en zomer moet je zo veel mogelijk naar buiten. Krokusjes schieten uit de grond, vogels vliegen af en aan met takjes voor hun nesten, je kunt kikkerdril zien drijven en dan die schattige lammetjes! En oh ja, uit onderzoek blijkt dat al dat groen goed is voor jou en vooral voor je kinderen. Nu alleen jezelf en die kinderen nog van de... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Op stap in lente en zomer
  • In de lente en zomer moet je zo veel mogelijk naar buiten. Krokusjes schieten uit de grond, vogels vliegen af en aan met takjes voor hun nesten, je kunt kikkerdril zien drijven en dan die schattige lammetjes! En oh ja, uit onderzoek blijkt dat al dat groen goed is voor jou en vooral voor je kinderen. Nu alleen jezelf en die kinderen nog van de... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2011
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The 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
  • The 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
2016
  • time to momo - Maastricht
  • Dit is de vernieuwde versie van de 100% Maastricht-gids! Jij gaat Maastricht ontdekken! Een stukje buitenland in Nederland, zo wordt Maastricht maar al te vaak omschreven, daar waar Noord en Zuid samenkomen. Met haar leuke wijken met charmante kleine straatjes, historische panden en pleinen, chique boetieks en toch ook volop trendy hotspots en... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2016
  • time to momo - Maastricht
  • Dit is de vernieuwde versie van de 100% Maastricht-gids! Jij gaat Maastricht ontdekken! Een stukje buitenland in Nederland, zo wordt Maastricht maar al te vaak omschreven, daar waar Noord en Zuid samenkomen. Met haar leuke wijken met charmante kleine straatjes, historische panden en pleinen, chique boetieks en toch ook volop trendy hotspots en... Read more
» Click to close
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
  • 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
  • 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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • De Weerribben
  • De Weerribben 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
  • 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
  • Rijk van Nijmegen
  • Rijk van Nijmegen 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
  • Brabant West and Central Cycling Map
  • The central and western part of the North Brabant 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... 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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Schouwen Duiveland
  • Schouwen Duiveland 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
  • Lauwersmeer
  • Lauwersmeer area Friesland in 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... 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
  • Dwingelderveld - Ruinen
  • Dwingelderveld - Ruinen 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... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Netherlands Falkplan Cycling Atlas
  • Cycling atlas of the Netherlands at 1:75,000 from Falk BV, presenting in one A5 spiral-bound volume the country’s extensive network of signposted cycling routes and junctions, including the long-distance LF trails and smaller local cycle paths. The network consists of numbered junctions joined by sign-posted connecting routes in either... Read more
More maps…

Forum

  1. Cancel