Leusden: Walking Trails, Country Estates and History

Concrete casemates, a war memorial, a reconstructed trench and a preserved anti-tank obstacle line the walk along the Asschatterkeerkade. The historic line dates back to 1745 and is 2,500 metres long. You can also explore Leusden along walking trails through agricultural landscapes, country estates and woodland. Options range from a philosophical walk to longer walking and cycling routes.

Military history and remembrance

The Asschatterkeerkade brings together visible traces of military history and the development of a natural area: after the war, an ecological area was created there, home to bats, mammals and up to 40 different bird species. Leesbaar Landschap Leusden, among others, organises excursions along the Kade. You can get to know the site through both its preserved structures and its wildlife today.

The Museumbunker Leusden is a German bunker dating from 1944 to 1945 that was converted into a small museum at the end of 2014. It is part of a large open-air museum landscape featuring the Valleikanaal, reconstructed farmsteads, firing ranges, a demolished bridge and a recreated trench. In the area around Leusden, the underground museum and reconstructed courtyard at Kamp Amersfoort also tell the story of the site. The grounds preserve post-war memorials, traces in the landscape and original remains. The Nationaal Monument Kamp Amersfoort keeps alive the memory of around 47,000 prisoners. A remembrance ceremony has been held at the Sovjet Ereveld every year since 2012.

Country estates, nature and themed trails

Landgoed Den Treek-Henschoten lies where the Utrechtse Heuvelrug meets the Gelderse Vallei. Covering almost 2,200 hectares, it includes forests, natural areas, farmland and heathland. The estate is open to nature lovers, and themed walks can be explored independently. An audio tour, a GPS route and detailed route information help you find your way. Other trails cater to different activities: the horse-riding trail network is more than 60 kilometres long, while separate blue and red routes are available for mountain biking.

Leusden also offers walking trails of different lengths and with a variety of themes. The Termatenpad is 14 kilometres long and starts opposite Wachthuisje Post 43 at Leusbroekerweg 6. It can be reached via the Leusbroekerweg/De Mof bus stop. The 10-kilometre Grebbelinie walking route follows the Liniedijk from Leusden to Woudenberg. Its length and route give you two specific points of reference when planning your walk.

The Klompenpad circular walking trails around Leusden follow historic routes through the agricultural landscape, along unpaved paths, across farmland and through country estates. The Klompenpad Schutpad passes through the park woodland around the manor house on Landgoed De Boom. This estate covers more than 1,100 hectares and preserves a varied cultural landscape with hedgerows between Leusden, Woudenberg, Achterveld and De Glind. For a different perspective, take the 1.5-kilometre Filosofenpad ISVW, which crosses Landgoed ISVW and the woodland and heathland of Oud-Leusden. QR codes at ten stops introduce you to figures from the history of philosophy.

There are also various themed cycling routes. One 27-kilometre route passes eleven Attention Stones commemorating prominent historic buildings that have disappeared from the municipality of Leusden. The Stormpad Breeveen cycling route starts at cycle junction 5 in Leusden and later passes through Landgoed Den Treek-Henschoten.

Stoutenburg and its surroundings

Three different castles stood on Landgoed Stoutenburg over the centuries; today’s Kasteel Klein Stoutenburg was built in 1888. Heerlijkheid Stoutenburg includes tree-lined meadows, wet grasslands alongside a stream and a park woodland rich in birdlife. The Koetshuis next to the Heerlijkheid serves as a visitor centre, and several routes start there. Regional products and coffee are available.

A walking route through Stoutenburg’s old castle woodland runs mainly through deciduous forest with some conifers; 66 bird species have been recorded in the area. Families with young children can enjoy the Stoute Schoenenpad at Heerlijkheid Stoutenburg, an interactive learning and walking trail. The Leusden Natuurlijk tourist information centre tells visitors about other things to do in and around Leusden.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Leusden, Achterveld, Nieuwegein, Stichtse Vecht, Wijk Bij Duurstede, Breukelen, Soest, Veenendaal.

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