15x the most beautiful forests for walking

1. The woods of Het Loo – Apeldoorn

You have forests and you have forests. Well, this is a very beautiful part of the Netherlands. Fun fact: you will find the tallest tree in the country here. This Douglas fir is almost 50 meters.
Where: Royal Park, Apeldoorn

2. Amsterdam Forest – Amstelveen

This area is 22 times larger than Vondelpark and three times the size of Central Park in New York. There are thousands of trees, you can admire 19 hectares of swamp (forest) and you can walk over 116 bridges. With two children’s pools and seven kiosks, it is a pleasant place to be.
Where: between the Ringvaart and Amstelveen

3. Westerwolde – Groningen

In Groningen you will find an intimate landscape of forests, fens and streams. According to Staatsbosbeheer, the most beautiful walking area can be found around the hamlet of Ter Wupping. ‘There are round fields, meadows and hedgerows there.’
Where: Dennenweg, Sellingen

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4. Speulder and Sprielderbos – Ermelo

One of the oldest forests in the Netherlands. It is not surprising that Staatsbosbeheer has declared this forest the most beautiful in the country. You can also encounter birds of prey, deer and wild boars.
Where: Sprielderweg, Drie

5. Cape Forest – Utrecht

A nature reserve with many species of animals and plants. This forest, which you will find in the middle of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park, is not only beautiful in summer and spring: there is also much to see in autumn and winter.
Where: Sint Helenalaan 2, Doorn

6. Maasduinen – Limburg

A varied forest where there is always something special to see. And very unique, because the longest river dune belt in the Netherlands is located here.
Where: De Maasduinen, Arcen

7. Loonse and Drunense Dunes – North Brabant

National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen is also known as the Brabant Sahara. And you understand that when you see those trees and large sand plains.
Where: De Loonse en Drunense Duinen, Drunen

8. De Boschplaat – Terschelling

‘None of the Wadden Islands is as varied as Terschelling’, according to Staatsbosbeheer. But why actually? Simple: 80 percent of the island consists of nature, from beach to forest.
Where: Oosterend, Terschelling

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9. The Twickelse Bos – Twente

Here too, you will be amazed by the fields, meadows, special oaks and dense forests. Nice: there are about one hundred and fifty farms on the estate.
Where: Twickelse Bos, Delden

10. Purmerbos – Purmerend

Winding trails here give you the real ‘forest feeling’. Children can enjoy themselves in the play forest with an island, rope bridge and loose branches to build huts. Feel free to bring your four-legged friend with you, because most of this forest is an off-leash area for dogs. There is even a pool for dogs.
Where: Purmerbos, Purmerend

11. The Hondsrug – Drenthe

With dozens of cycling, forest, sand and bridle paths, this is a wonderful place for a nice walk. In the middle of nature you will find burial mounds and dolmens and if you want to view the trees from above, you can walk along the Boomkroonpad: right through the treetops.
Where: The Hondsrug, Drenthe

12. Grebbeberg – Utrecht

If you want to train the leg muscles or give your child a fun challenge, climb the Grebbeberg in Rhenen (Utrecht) with its 200 steps. You will be rewarded with a beautiful view over the Blue Room nature reserve. The forest around the Grebbeberg consists of oaks, but a little further you will find the Laarsenberg nature reserve, with deciduous and coniferous forests.
Where: Rhenen, Utrecht

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13. Lower and Upper Forest, Limburg

Just the name of these forests is fun. During this walk in the extreme south of our country you will encounter several steep slopes. In the Bovenste Bos you can walk on the edge of the forest and see beautiful views – on a clear day you can even look over the national border. In the lower part you eventually end up in the beautiful village of Slenaken.
Where: South Limburg

14. The Wallebos, Friesland

Okay, it’s not big, but it is special. The Wallebos near Beetsterzwaag was once built because the rich nobility needed wood. Today it is a nice walk, where you encounter mushrooms and clattering storks. The boardwalk is highly recommended for children.

15. Sallandse Heuvelrug, Overijssel

Enjoy the forests and beautiful heaths in the Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park. The park is built on an old moraine of 150,000 years old and you will also find two mountains there. Well, say hills: the Holterberg (60m) and the Grote Koningsbelt (75 m). Both are worth a climb.

Haven’t walked out yet? Also go to these play forests or climbing forests – you will certainly lose your child all afternoon.

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