Wijdemeren between lakes, marshland and cultural heritage

Wijdemeren reveals a changing landscape of woodland, reed beds, water and cultural heritage. Lakes and marshland shape this destination, alongside historic country houses, mills and gardens. Numerous walking and cycling trails offer different ways to experience the landscape. Your impressions may range from a quiet view across a wetland to a stroll through historic grounds.

Lakes, reeds and marshland

The Loosdrechtse Plassen include the lakes around Loosdrecht, among them Wijde Blik, Vuntus, Loenderveense Plas and Breukeleveense Plas. The herb-rich meadows around the Weersloot are also part of this landscape. There are opportunities here for water sports, walking, cycling and canoeing. The 4.8-kilometre Vuntus canoe route passes through lakes and ditches, past meadows and reed beds, and through swamp forests.

There are five public recreational islands on Wijde Blik. Jetties and landing areas on the recreational islands in the lake district provide moorings for boats; on Wijde Blik, boats may moor for up to three periods of 24 hours each. The Ankeveense Plassen reveal another side of the watery landscape: peat-cutting areas, narrow waterways, islands and open water form a labyrinth. The area is a refuge for numerous reed, water and marsh birds, whose presence varies seasonally. To protect the flora, fauna and water quality, recreational boating is not permitted there. The area can be explored with a Natuurmonumenten guide.

The Kortenhoefse Plassen also tell the story of how the water was used: peat extraction shaped the landscape, and legakkers (narrow strips of land) and peat-cutting areas are still visible. When the ice is thick enough, visitors can explore the lakes on skates.

Walking trails, cycling routes and waterways

The Ankeveense Plassen walking route is an approximately 11-kilometre circular trail through a water-rich Dutch landscape, where you can watch birds. Most of the route is unpaved and can become very muddy after wet weather. If you are looking for another route, the old church path Oppad and Kromme Rade form a nine-kilometre walking route between ’s-Graveland and Kortenhoef.

On the Kortenhoefse Plassen canoe route, blue arrows and yellow signs with black numbers mark the way; the trip takes about three hours. Another longer walk follows the ten ’s-Gravelandse Buitenplaatsen and is 17 kilometres long. Wijdemeren also has numerous other walking and cycling routes. When planning, it is worth considering both the length and the surface of each route.

A foot and bicycle ferry connects Nederhorst den Berg with Nigtevecht. The Fietsboot operates on the Loosdrechtse Plassen and may run seasonally. Walkers, wheelchair users and people using mobility scooters can also use the Fietsboot; check accessibility rules before travelling. For ferries and routes, it is advisable to check schedules and conditions before planning your trip.

Gardens, country houses and regional history

The ’s-Gravelandse Buitenplaatsen preserve 400 years of garden history: grand country houses, gardens and parkland woods shape this varied landscape. Trompenburgh is also part of this garden culture. The house and geometric garden were designed as a unified ensemble and are considered an exceptional example of 17th-century garden design. The country house belonged to Admiral Cornelis Tromp; its design was inspired by the shape of a ship. Trompenburgh is not generally open to the public, but it occasionally opens, for example on Heritage Days or for guided tours. You can view the grounds from the outside on foot or by bicycle along the estate; check possible opening dates in advance.

At Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn, you will find portraits of ancestors, Loosdrecht porcelain, furniture, glassware, sculptures, 18th-century clocks and an armoury. The historic garden reflects old Dutch garden design. In early spring, 35 species of stinzen plants bloom there. Fort Kijkuit, a fort belonging to the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, offers another aspect of the region’s cultural heritage: the powder house contains an information point, and there is also a viewpoint and accessible fort grounds. There are picnic tables on the grounds, and boats can moor at a landing stage. Before visiting, check which individual buildings are accessible.

Mills and historic buildings also tell the story of the region. Molen Gabriël, also known as Voorste Molen, is the only surviving mill in Kortenhoef. Together with two other mills, it once kept Kortenhoef dry. The polder mill near Nederhorst den Berg drained the approximately 473-hectare Stichts-Ankeveensepolder. The church of O.L. Vrouw Hemelvaart, consecrated in 1890, also stands there on Dammerweg. Dorpzicht was built around 1630 and is considered the oldest farmhouse in Nederhorst den Berg. The building originally served as a bakery for people from Hinderdam and passing boatmen.

More things to do

At Bezoekerscentrum Gooi en Vechtstreek in ’s-Graveland, Speelnatuur van OERRR offers children activities including building dens, playing at a water pump and a dedicated safe area for younger children. Outdoor Escapes are shared adventure trails through the natural parkland woods. In Nederhorst den Berg, Pluktuinderij Aardbei & Zo is a seasonal pick-your-own garden for unsprayed strawberries, herbs, vegetables and fruit; produce can be paid for at the farm shop. Check current availability for seasonal offerings before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Nieuw-Loosdrecht, Oud-Loosdrecht, Loosdrecht, ’S-Graveland, Nederhorst Den Berg, Kortenhoef, Ankeveen, Breukeleveen.

For the main travel overview: North Holland.