The Great Outdoors

Information on the facilities in Limburg, South Holland, North Brabant and Zeeland for outdoors activities: walks, hikes and activities in the area.

Nature Parks

The Netherlands has 20 national parks, they are areas with exceptional wildlife fauna and landscapes. All of the parks are over 10 Km² and have been developed for visitors to enjoy them, with walking routes and cycle paths. In some cases bikes can be rented free of charge.

For more information on the Dutch National Parks: Click here

Note: Smoking is prohibited in the woods and dune areas of Wassenaar from the 17 April to 15 September. The higher temperatures cause a risk of fire.

Delftse Hout

Delftse Hout (Delft woods) is a nature area within walking distance of the centre of Delft. There are marked routes, several cafés and the centre regularly organises guided walks. The Delftse Hout is also home to a five star campsite.

For more information: Click here

Dagstrand Oost-Maarland Recreation Park

This 27 hectare recreational park located just south of Maastricht has a bathing area and beaches, outdoor and indoor playgrounds, as well as cafés and bars.

For more information and directions: Click here

Stein Woods Recreational Centre

The Stein Woods Recreational Centre has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a 52m water chute, as well as go-karts, pony riding, rowing and fishing.

For more information: Click here (in Dutch)

Hiking & Walking

The Netherlands are well-suited to walking and rambling - costal walks along the dunes and mud flats, to trekking in the national parks - and there is a wealth of information on these activities. The official Dutch Walking Association is the Stichting Wandelplatform.

Stichting Wandelplatform
At: Postbus 846, 3800 AV Amersfoort
Tel: 033 465 36 60
Fax: 033 465 43 77
e-mail
Website

The country has a network of paths and walks mapped out by the LAW. The LAWs are longer routes but they can be joined and exited at various points.

The ANWB also has a comprehensive guide for walking in Holland. They publish guide books and route maps and in association with Pedigree dog food there are a series of dog friendly walking routes.

For more information: Click here (in Dutch)

For combined city/sightseeing routes local Tourist Offices are the best source of information and can supply maps and details of guided tours in the area.

Dutch tourist information website has a selection of walks: Click here (follow "Discover Holland" and then "Active")

The Vierdaagse

The Netherlands host the largest marching event in the world, for four days every summer, beginning on the third Tuesday in July, tens of thousands of people walk for four days. The event follows different routes each day and there are different circuits depending on age and fitness, either 30, 40 or 50 Km a day.

The walk began in 1909 as a military event and although it is now dominated by the public many countries still send troops to complete the walk.

Participants must register well in advance as there are now around 40,000 people taking part.

For the Story of the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen from Wikipedia: Click here
The official website of the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen: Click here

Canoeing and Kayaking

There are plenty of inland waterways in the Netherlands suited to canoeing and kayaking, as well as the sea which provides a different challenge.

The Nederlandse kanobond (NKB) is the national association for canoeing in Holland. It organises competitions and events throughout the year. To compete in events paddlers must be members and have a licence, which is issued by the NKB.

To become a member, either apply directly to the NKB or join an affiliated canoe club and that will ensure automatic membership. The NKB organises flat water and white water races as well as slalom competitions and canoe polo.

NKB Bondsbureau
At: Postbus 2656, 3430 GB Nieuwegein
Tel: 030 751 3750
e-mail
Website
For a list of Dutch Kayak clubs from Wikipedia: Click here