Groenekan between nature and history

Groenekan lies near the city of Utrecht, on the boundary between the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the peat meadow area. Hiking trails, waterscapes and historic buildings give the village its varied character. If you are looking for a hotel in Groenekan, these destinations offer some clues about the themes that could shape your stay.

Hiking trails and polder landscape

The Beukenburgerpad is a 14.5-kilometre Klompenpad hiking trail through the rural areas of Groenekan and De Bilt. It passes through a landscape of strip fields, historic country estates and grand avenues, and goes by Fort Voordorp. The trail starts at the car park on Groenekanseweg near the A27 viaduct. This makes it possible to assess the route’s length, starting point and landscape character when planning.

There is a special point to bear in mind when finding your way around Beukenburg: the area lies on Beukenburgerlaan in Groenekan and has several walking paths, but no marked routes. One marked route is “Utrecht te Voet, Groenekan en verder”. It leads to Groenekan through the Bos van Voordaan; in spring, daffodils bring colour to the forest. The Groenekanroute also passes a 19th-century fort that is part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie.

Cycle paths also provide access to the polder landscape: routes in Groenekan and Westbroek pass features of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. These include Fort Ruigenhoek in the Noorderpark Ruigenhoek nature area. When considering the various options, it is worth checking the specific route: the routes mentioned differ in their course and signage, and not every walking trail is marked.

Water, nature and seasonal swimming

The bird-rich Hooge Kampse Plas, which is part of the Natuur Netwerk Nederland (NNN), lies between Groenekan, De Bilt and Utrecht. A paved path runs along sections of the lake for pedestrians and cyclists. A permanently installed binocular viewer and several benches offer views of the water. Facilities may change; if you plan to use them, check their current status before your visit.

Zwembad De Kikker is an outdoor natural swimming pool in Groenekan. Swimming is possible there throughout the season. As opening dates and access rules may change, it is best to check them before your visit.

Mills, parks and local history

The Molen Geesina corn mill was built in 1843 as a Dutch-style windmill on a gallery structure and was then named “De Groene Kan”. Utrechts Landschap restored the mill in 2011 and 2012 and fitted it with sails. It was then able to turn and grind again. The history of the Copijn family is also part of the local story: the family ran a tree nursery in Groenekan from the 18th century and later became landscape architects.

The historic park of the Voordaan estate was laid out around 1850 in the landscape style, based on a design by Jan Copijn. Its features include a curved pond and planting consisting mainly of oaks, beeches and groups of smaller shrubs. The Voordaan building at Groenekanseweg 85 has been a Rijksmonument, or Dutch national monument, since 17 September 2001.

Other listed buildings point to different periods in the village’s history. The Nederlands-hervormde kerk van Groenekan is a municipal monument. It was built in 1952 on behalf of the church council of the Nederlands-hervormde kerk, taken into use in 1953 and constructed in the traditionalist style. Veldhoeve at Groenekanseweg 62 is also a municipal monument. It was built in 1898 on behalf of W. Grothe van Schellach, the owner of the Voordaan estate.

The B-17 memorial stands at the corner of Versteeglaan and Groenekanseweg in Groenekan, in the municipality of De Bilt. It commemorates the emergency landing of an American B-17 bomber on 28 May 1944 in the meadows south of Groenekan. Three crew members lost their lives. The location of the memorial and the memory of the event are connected, but the story also points to the landscape beyond the village.

Discover more destinations: De Bilt, Bilthoven, Westbroek

Return to the main travel overview: De Bilt.