5 beautiful hikes in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is known as a very flat country with wide meadows, picturesque polder landscapes and green forests - but the province of Limburg is an exception!

Here you will find vast wooded areas and an unusually large number of hills by Dutch standards. This fascinating nature and the IJzerenbos nature reserve are traversed by a 9-kilometre long hiking route that is suitable for hiking beginners.

Hike through green nature

You can start from the Hommelheide estate, the railway station in Susteren or from EuroParcs Limburg. From here, a dirt track leads you along the Middelsgraaf stream. The route then heads south past green meadows, small streams and over hills to the IJzerenbos nature reserve. There are deciduous forests and wide fields and you can enjoy picturesque views of nature in bloom.

After visiting the nature reserve, the route takes you back to EuroParcs Limburg. Here you can relax with a cool drink or go for a swim in the lake.

• Length: 9.4 km
• Difficulty level: Beginner
• Junctions: 5-30-26-47-46-33-44-31-12-10-9-7-5

This hiking trail in northern Limburg takes you right through the Maasduinen. This area between the Meuse and the German border was formed in the ice age when rivers like the Rhine and Meuse brought a lot of sand with them. This created a varied landscape full of drifting dunes, higher and lower sandy grounds and the Maas valley. Start and end point of this hiking trail is EuroParcs Maasduinen where you can walk straight into the Maasduinen.

• Length: 8.17 km
• Difficulty: beginners
• Hiking nodes: 4-5-6-87-88-19-23-20-17-3-4

The so-called Kraaijenbergse Plassen are located in the province of North Brabant and form an extensive lake area covering more than 475 hectares. The nature reserve is a popular recreation and water sports area that can be explored by boat, canoe or surfboard.

But a walk around the lake area is also a wonderful way to discover the unique nature.

Kraaijenbergse Plassen hiking route

The walk around the Kraaijenbergse Plassen starts just a few metres from EuroParcs De Kraaijenbergse Plassen. You can enjoy unique views along the approximately 7 kilometres long route.

The first stage of the tour takes you northwards, where you walk past the small village of Linden. The path continues westwards directly to the banks of the Kraaijenbergse Plassen. Here you can observe many different water birds and admire the picturesque view of the water.

The route then takes you around the Heeswijkse Plas and finally back to EuroParcs De Kraaijenbergse Plassen. Here you can relax or enjoy a delicious dinner in the restaurant.

• Length: 7 km
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Junctions: 72-96-70-72

Walk along the shores of the IJsselmeer, feel the fresh coastal wind and enjoy the view - that's what you can experience on a hike in the province of North Holland! The unique polder landscapes offer ideal conditions for an extensive hike. If you prefer cycling, you can of course also do our suggested route by bike!

Hike through picturesque Medemblik

The walking route starts directly at EuroParcs IJsselmeer and takes you along the shores of the IJsselmeer to the medieval town centre of Medemblik - the oldest town in West Friesland. The first part of the route offers you the best views of the IJsselmeer and leads directly along the water.

Here you can watch sailing boats pass by and enjoy the panorama. After a short swerve through the wide meadow landscapes, the route heads north.

The picturesque town of Medemblik awaits you there with its centuries-old churches, houses and beautiful alleyways. On the way back to EuroParcs IJsselmeer, you take the route past the shores again and can then enjoy the afternoon at the holiday park.

• Length: 9,2 km
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Junctions: 8-53-54-51-52

This route takes you through the green countryside of the province of Gelderland and along the banks of the IJssel. A highlight of this route is the Hof te Dieren vineyard, which has a long history. In 1218 the estate was owned by the Teutonic Order, in 1648 it was acquired by Willem II and was for a long time the favourite hunting lodge of the kings of the Netherlands.

Hiking tour along the IJssel

The best place to start the hiking tour is from EuroParcs Marina Strandbad. From here, the path leads you past meadows and fields where cows graze comfortably. Follow the country lanes until you reach the banks of the IJssel.

There you take the ferry and pass the edge of the small town of Dieren. After a while, you will reach the Hof te Dieren estate, where red, white and rosé wines are produced in the traditional way at the organic winery.

The rest of the route takes you past and through Dieren again, where you can take the ferry back to EuroParcs Marina Strandbad. Here you can relax in the swimming pool after an exciting day, enjoy the view of the marina or have a bite to eat in the restaurant.

• Length: 9.4 km
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Junctions: P16-22-92