The Netherlands is surprisingly varied when it comes to outdoor scenery. If you’re looking for hiking trails in the Netherlands, you’ll find everything from coastal dunes and heathlands to forests, river valleys and even hilly terrain in the south.
In this article, we share our personal pick of the best hikes in the Netherlands. These are routes we’ve walked ourselves, many of them multiple times and often with our dogs. We’ve chosen a mix of locations across the country, so this list works whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend escape or just looking for new walking routes near where you are.
Most hikes here are suitable for casual walkers as well as more experienced hikers. Some are easy coastal or forest walks, while others include hills, longer distances or more challenging terrain. Wherever you are in the Netherlands, there’s usually a trail within easy reach.
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Posbank (The Veluwe)
The Dutch province of Gelderland is a paradise for hikers because this is where the Veluwe is located. The Veluwe is the largest continuous forest-rich nature area in the Netherlands. Today, this vast landscape offers a mix of forests, heathlands, sandy hills, cozy villages and estates that feel very different from the typical flat Dutch scenery.
The Veluwe is a huge area that consists of various sections. Some of the most popular places for hiking here are De Hoge Veluwe National Park and Veluwezoom National Park.Our personal favorite area for hiking in the Veluwe is Posbank, which is part of the Veluwezoom National Park (a section of the Veluwe).
Posbank is one of the highest viewpoints in the Veluwe region. At about 90 meters above sea level, it offers wide panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. On a clear day you can even see as far as Germany. In late summer and early autumn, the heathlands bloom and transform the hills into a beautiful purple carpet. The area around Posbank is perfect for a scenic hike. You’ll pass sandy hills, forest sections, small streams and viewpoints that open up again and again along the trail.
One of our favorite hikes here is the yellow trail, a 5 km route that leads through the rolling heathland hills. The trail is well signposted and easy to follow, and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Simply follow the yellow trail markers with a purple arrow and white dot along this marked route.
The official starting point of the trail is the Veluwezoom Visitor Center (Bezoekerscentrum Veluwezoom). We personally preferred starting at the Posbank monument instead, which is located at the highest point of the area and offers fantastic views right away. There is plenty of parking at the monument as well as at the visitors center. If you start at the visitor center, you’ll find additional routes that lead through the forest and some paths with firmer surfaces that are suitable for strollers.
Another well-known hiking destination in the Veluwe is De Hoge Veluwe National Park. Unlike Veluwezoom, this park requires paid entry. In return, you get access to a very diverse landscape that includes forests, moorlands, heath fields and even drifting sand dunes. The park also offers free white bicycles that visitors can use to explore the area. It’s also home to the famous Kröller-Müller Museum, which combines art with nature in a unique setting.
Soesterduinen (Utrechtse Heuvelrug)
Utrechtse Heuvelrug, located in the heart of the province of Utrecht, is the second-largest forest area in the Netherlands. The area offers a surprisingly varied landscape. You can choose between pine forests, heathlands, meadows, lakes and even drifting sand areas. The region is also home to diverse wildlife. Similar to Veluwe, Utrechtse Heuvelrug is a vast area that consists of various sections.
Our absolute favorite part of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug is Soesterduinen, located near the village of Soest. This is the largest drifting sand area in the province of Utrecht and consists of two main sections: the Lange Duinen (Long Dunes) and the Korte Duinen (Short Dunes). The landscape almost feels like a small desert, with wide sandy plains surrounded by forest. It’s a unique place for hiking and a popular destination for locals on sunny days.
There are two main signposted hiking routes in the area. The Blue Route is about 5.5 kilometers long and leads across the Lange Duinen, making a scenic loop through the sandy landscape, nearby forests and heath areas around Soest. The Yellow Route is shorter at around 3 kilometers and is particularly suitable for families with small children. The dunes themselves are also popular for casual walks and outdoor play, and many parts of the area are off-leash zones, which makes it a favorite spot for dog owners.
There are several free parking areas nearby. Two options that we frequently use are the car park Parking Langeduinen (Foekenlaan 25, Soest). This is a great option for a hike in the dunes and surrounding forests. Most parts are off-leash areas, but also popular with people and families without dogs. The area is so vast that there’s enough space for everyone to enjoy.
Another option is the car park at the restaurant De Korte Duinen (Soesterbergsestraat 132, Soest) as well as the Restaurant ’t Hoogt, which sits right at the edge of the sandy landscape.
If you’re in the area and would like to explore further sights, don’t miss out the pyramid of Austerlitz and its surrounding forests, which are also part of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug area.
N70 Hiking Route (Nijmegen Area)
The N70 hiking route near Nijmegen is another personal favorite of ours. We usually come here once a year, often in spring when the forests turn bright green again. The area is surprisingly hilly by Dutch standards and offers some of the most beautiful views in the region. Along the way you walk through forest paths, green fields at the edge of the woods and several charming villages before eventually returning to your starting point.
The full N70 route is about 14 kilometers long and most hikers complete it in roughly 4 to 5 hours, depending on your pace and how often you stop to enjoy the views. The trail is clearly signposted with the trail name N70, so it’s easy to follow along the entire route. Be prepared for some steep parts, though. The route includes several hills and staircases, which makes it more challenging than many other Dutch hikes.
While it’s considered an intermediate trail, the N70 is still popular with families because there are plenty of places to pause along the way. Scenic viewpoints, benches and small villages make it easy to take breaks. We often hike here with our dogs. It’s a wonderful hike to do with dogs, just note that they should be kept on leash in most sections of the route.
The official starting point of the trail is in the village center of Beek-Ubbergen. We personally like to start at Fletcher Parkhotel Val Monte instead and have a quick stop at Beek-Ubbergen toward the middle of the trail. The hotel sits on higher ground, so finishing the hike here comes with rewarding views over the surrounding hills and the river valley. Of course you can also join the trail at other points along the route if that suits your plans better.
Coastal Walk Domburg (Zeeland)
There are countless wonderful coastal areas in the Netherlands, across multiple provinces. One of our personal favorites is the area around Domburg in Zeeland. It’s a place where nature, history and the sea come together, making it a great destination for a relaxed but varied hike.
I first came here in 2017, when YouTube star Louie the Beagle organized a birthday walk for one of his dog friends. Together with another 20 beagle dogs and their owners, I was introduced to an area and a hiking trail that has become one of my favorites ever since. What makes this hike so special is the variety. You walk through dunes, forest areas, historic sites and of course along the wide beaches that Zeeland is known for.
The hiking trail is about 9.5 kilometers long and forms a scenic loop starting from Domburg. From here, the route winds through De Manteling, a unique coastal forest that stretches along the northern coast of Walcheren. This forest once attracted wealthy families in the 17th century, who built their country estates here, sheltered from the sea winds.
Along the way, you pass several highlights, including the Westhove Castle, a medieval castle that was later heavily modified and is now a youth hotel and a museum site. The museum (Terra Maris) is a small museum dedicated to the nature and landscape of Zeeland.
The trail continues through Domburg itself, known as an artists’ village, and past stately manor houses hidden in the greenery. One of the most striking features of De Manteling is the forest itself. The trees are shaped by strong coastal winds, giving the landscape a rugged and almost otherworldly feel.
This combination of beach, forest and cultural landmarks makes the Domburg coastal walk one of the most diverse and enjoyable hikes in the Netherlands.
De Biesbosch National Park (near Dordrecht)
In the south of the Netherlands, De Biesbosch National Park offers a completely different hiking experience. This vast nature reserve is known for its wetlands and winding waterways and is one of the last large freshwater tidal areas in northwestern Europe.
The landscape consists of willow forests, creeks, islands and wide rivers that are influenced by the tides. Water is present everywhere, which gives the area a distinct atmosphere. Because of this unique ecosystem, the park is also rich in wildlife. You may encounter beavers, many bird species and a wide range of aquatic life.
If you enjoy long-distance hiking, the Biesboschpad is an impressive option. This trail stretches about 165 kilometers and takes you through many parts of the park. It’s a serious multi-day hike that allows you to explore the wetlands in depth.
If that feels like too much, you can easily choose a shorter route. One great option is the “Het Jantjespad”. The first part of the walk leads you through old willow forests. In the second part, you look out over a wet bird-rich area that formed after flooding in the 1990s. The trail itself is about 4 kilometers long, but you can extend it with additional loops. You can start at the Jantjesplaats car park, or at Biesbosch MuseumEiland if you want to combine your hike with a visit.
Maasduinen (near Venlo)
Nationaal Park De Maasduinen is a beautiful nature reserve just north of Venlo, stretching along the Dutch-German border between Gennep and Bergen. The park is known for its impressive river dunes, which are one of the longest chains of river dunes in the Netherlands.
The landscape is surprisingly diverse. You’ll find heathlands, forests, drifting sand dunes and quiet lakes spread throughout the park. This variety makes the area popular for hiking, cycling and camping holidays. The Maasduinen consists of several sections, including Landgoed De Hamert, Eckeltse Bergen, Bergerbos and Bosserheide.
One of our personal highlights is Reindersmeer, a large lake in the northern part of the park. A walking trail circles the lake and offers beautiful views over the water and surrounding nature. Part of the route includes a small hand-operated ferry, which adds a fun and slightly unique element to the hike.
The full loop around Reindersmeer is about 7 kilometers and takes roughly 2 hours. Much of the trail runs over sandy ground. Along the way, you’ll find small bays where people swim or relax during summer. There is free parking nearby and a café overlooking the lake, which makes it a great place to end your walk.
Wandelroute 14 Vennen (Oisterwijk)
The 14 Vennen hiking route near Oisterwijk offers a beautiful combination of forest, heathland and small lakes. The Dutch word “vennen” refers to shallow natural lakes, and this area is filled with them. As the name suggests, this route takes you past 14 different lakes.
The trail starts at the visitor center in Oisterwijk and is a little over 9 kilometers long. Most people complete it in around 2.5 to 3 hours. You can follow the route by looking for the blue arrows on the signposts. The terrain is mostly flat, which makes it accessible for most hikers.
The scenery changes constantly. One moment you walk through dense forest, the next you reach open heathland with views over quiet lakes. Many of the lakes attract birds and other wildlife, so it’s also a nice route if you enjoy nature photography.
The walk starts and ends at the same location, which makes planning easy. The official starting point (or all trails) is the Visitor Center Oisterwijk (Bezoekerscentrum Oisterwijk) (address: Van Tienhovenlaan 4, Oisterwijk). There is plenty of free parking available, and you’ll also find information on the trails, a restaurant and a small shop on site.
St. Pietersberg Trail (Maastricht)
Sint-Pietersberg is one of the most unique hiking areas in the Netherlands. Located just outside Maastricht, this area offers rolling hills, limestone slopes and wide views over the Maas valley.
Several signposted trails start near Fort Sint Pieter, making it easy to combine a visit to the historic fort and its underground caves with a hike. The combination of history, geology and scenery makes this a very rewarding destination.
There are three main routes. The green route is about 5.4 km and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The yellow route is 7 km and takes about 2 hours. The red route is 11 km and takes just under 3 hours.
The green route is perfect if you want a first glimpse to the area. It follows the edge of the nature reserve and offers great views over the Maas valley. Although it doesn’t pass through the famous ENCI quarry, you can easily make a small detour to see it. This route works well if you’re hiking with young children or dogs.
The yellow route is the most unique. It takes you directly into the ENCI quarry and feels almost like traveling through geological time. As you descend the staircase toward the quarry, every step takes you further back in time. Each centimeter down represents roughly a thousand years of geological history. The upper concrete steps pass through layers formed during the ice ages between about 400,000 and 100,000 years ago, when the Maas river deposited large amounts of gravel. Further down, the metal staircase leads into limestone layers from the Cretaceous period, around 145 to 66 million years ago, when a tropical sea once covered this region. In our opinion, the yellow route is both the most unique and the most fascinating hike in the area.
The red route continues deeper into the nature reserve and is the longest option. While it does not pass through the ENCI quarry, it leads further south through the hilly landscapes around Sint Pietersberg. Along the way you’ll encounter scenic viewpoints, historic estates and natural highlights such as the Duivelsgrot (Devil’s Cave) and the viewpoint “De Ster van d’n Observant”, which offers impressive panoramic views.
Drielandenpunt (near Vaals / Maastricht)
If you’d like to embark on a hike in one of the country’s most hilly regions, you should visit the Drielandenpunt. Located at the most south-eastern point of the Netherlands, this is where the Netherlands borders Germany and Belgium. It’s also the highest point in the Netherlands (around 322 meters above sea level).
After enjoying panoramic views from the viewing tower (Wilhelminatoren) and exploring the border stone at the three-country point, be sure to explore the surrounding area on a hike. Depending on the trail, you can hike in not just one, but two or even three countries within just a couple of hours!
On our recent visit, we parked our car at the car park at the Vaalserberg, at the Drielandenpunt. That saved us some time and effort compared to hiking from the village of Vaals all the way uphill. The most scenic parts of the area are found beyond the Vaalserberg, so we highly recommend parking here (free and paid options are available), instead of in the village of Vaals.
From the Drielandenpunt, you can choose whether you’d like to hike towards Germany, Belgium, or combine both. We opted for a hiking trail that led us to Moresnet-Chapelle, which includes a wonderful mix of forest, countryside and idyllic Belgian villages. Along the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the hilly landscape, including the impressive railway bridge of Moresnet (Moresnet Viaduct), the Göhltal valley and the village of Gemmenich. Note that many of the trails around the Drielandenpunt aren’t fully signposted.
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland (North Holland)
Our next hiking destination is located between Haarlem and Amsterdam, in the province of North Holland. Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is a vast nature reserve with more than 20 signposted hiking trails for every level and preference.
The most popular trail in National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is the “Blauwe Tienbergenroute”. This signposted trail connects the inland dune edge with the coastal dunes. Wide paths lead you through diverse landscapes and across multiple dune ridges. During this long hike, you’ll experience a great variety of nature. You pass the dune lake ’t Wed and the Vogelmeer, and walk past viewpoints such as Konijnenberg, Lichtbakkeet and Hazenberg. During your hike, you may encounter large grazing animals such as wild horses and Scottish Highland cattle. Note that dogs are not allowed in this part of the national park.
Parts of the park are a protected conservation area where dogs are unfortunately not allowed. If you want to explore the area with a dog, the Wandelroute Buitenplaats Elswout is a good option. This circular walk takes you through an historic landscape designed in the English landscape style. It’s a walk where old avenues, water features, historic buildings and meadows alternate. This trail is one of the most popular routes in the national park, especially during spring and summer. From early spring through summer, large parts of the estate transform into a sea of spring flowers. From crocus and daffodil to wild hyacinth, Italian arum and Haarlem bellflower.
Schiermonnikoog (Friesland)
If island hiking appeals to you, head to Schiermonnikoog in the province of Friesland. This narrow island in the Wadden Sea is about 20 kilometers long and is unique because it’s simultaneously an island, a municipality and a national park.
The island landscape was shaped by powerful winds, strong sea currents and constantly shifting sand. Rather than controlling nature, the philosophy here is to let natural processes continue as much as possible. As a result, the island offers a very dynamic environment where dunes, salt marshes, beaches and forests constantly change over time.
For hikers, this means a surprisingly wild landscape by Dutch standards. You may encounter large bird colonies, grazing cattle, seals along the coast and a wide variety of plant species. Many trails cross the island from dunes to beach, allowing you to experience very different landscapes in a single walk.
November is known locally as “Hiking Month” on Schiermonnikoog. During this period, the island organizes various walking events and guided hikes. If you enjoy a lively atmosphere with fellow hikers, it’s a particularly interesting time to visit.
During warmer months, we love going for long walks along the beach. During colder or windy days, we prefer to explore areas further inland. During one of our recent visits, we explored the “Bunkerroute”, which was a unique and memorable experience. This trail combines hiking with sightseeing and is based on local stories, monuments and narratives preserved in the Bunkermuseum Schiermonnikoog. It gives a vivid impression of life on the island during wartime and its remaining traces.
The Pieterpad (Multi-Day Hike)
The Netherlands is a relatively small country. People often say you can drive from one end to the other in about four hours. But what if you decided to walk instead? That question led Toos Goorhuis-Tjalsma from Tilburg and Bertje Jens from Groningen to create one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in the Netherlands.
Their project eventually became the Pieterpad, the country’s best-known multi-day hiking route. The trail runs from the northern city of Groningen all the way to Maastricht in the far south. In total, it covers about 500 kilometers, crossing a wide variety of landscapes along the way.
The route is divided into multiple stages, which means you don’t have to walk the entire trail in one go. Many hikers simply choose a few sections that interest them most. This makes the Pieterpad accessible whether you’re planning a weekend hike or a longer walking holiday. We haven’t covered the entire trail either, but have walked a couple of individual sections, which was a great experience.
Depending on the area, you’ll hike through forests, farmland, river valleys, small villages and national parks. It’s one of the best ways to experience how diverse the Dutch landscape becomes when you travel slowly on foot.
Where to Find Hiking Trails in the Netherlands?
It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, there is always a hiking trail nearby to enjoy, no matter the season. That being said, the list above is by no means exhaustive. It’s meant to give you inspiration across different regions of the Netherlands. Many of these destinations are large natural areas with multiple hiking routes, ranging from short loops to full-day or even long-distance hikes.
Hiking apps such as Komoot, ANWB Eropuit and Natuurmonumenten’s Natuurroutes are great tools to find a hiking route near you. The latter two are in Dutch, but most route information is fairly self-explanatory once you start using them. In addition, once you download a GPX file (map), it’s usually easy to follow the route on your phone or GPS device.
NS Wandelingen is another interesting resource. The Netherlands’ main railway operator is NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). To encourage train travel, they have created a series of hiking routes that go from station to station. And these aren’t just simple city walks. Depending on the route, you can hike through forests, dunes, beaches or historic city centers.
And of course, there is Staatsbosbeheer, the official Dutch organisation that manages many of the country’s nature reserves. Their “Ontdek de natuur” routes are a great way to explore protected landscapes and often lead you through some of the most scenic parts of the Netherlands.
