Netherlands
Walks & Sights
Like all dogs I love to explore! Enjoying a long walk in the mountains, an interesting city trip with nice parks, the open sea together with some waves and a beach where I can’t get tired of a cool fresh breeze, a rocky river…. just name it!
This site is particular about walks suitable for dogs. For instance, walks without a lead, unrestricted beach areas and, agility parlours, parks, playgrounds, water taps and go so on.
Also festivals, sights, special events might be an option. I’ve enjoyed once an open-air concert based on music and sounds which I enjoyed a lot. By the way, I wasn’t the only dog back then.
YOU ALSO KNOW A GREAT PLACE TO GO TO? LET ME KNOW!
Mail: traveldogfriendly@yahoo.com www.travel-dogfriendly.com
To search quickly by destiny use the “SEARCH” button! (Example: Cantabria, Potes, Picos de Europa etc.)
Dogs Paradise “walhalla” – Rijk van Nijmegen
WALKS in THE NETHERLANDS
Dogs Paradise “walhalla” – Rijk van Nijmegen
INFO: Staatsbosbeheer Rijk van Nijmegen-Zuid
Donderbergweg 3
NL-6611 KL Overasselt, Gelderland
Phone: 024-6221767
Web: https://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/natuurgebieden/rijk-van-nijmegen/routes
Walks (off leash) / Water / Restaurant
Done: July 2016
De Hatertse Vennen (530 ha) are situated between Nijmegen, Wijchen and Heumen and are part of “Het Rijk van Nijmegen” a true paradise for dogs. My name is Nerone, and I love going there with my human Mum Karen. It’s a huge nature area with a beautiful fen and an off-the-lead walking area for us dogs. Great for a splash! Let’s have a party! It’s absolutely dog friendly and also accessible with a wheelchair. There’s free parking nearby, just in front of the Cheese farm “De Diervoort”.
I’m sometimes extra lucky, that’s when my classmates, Maxi, Balou and Noa from Dogs school join me for a swim or walk. As you can see on the photo’s we were having a ball at the Hatertse Vennen.
Our owners like to go for a treat at the restaurant St. Walrick, which specialty are the typical Dutch pancakes, nearby. They have a spacious garden, great for us, too. Ideal to relax after a walk or cycle tour. More info, see: http://www.walrick.nl
Besides the Hatertse Vennen you can also visit the off-the-leash area of “Recreatiegebied de Berendonck” between Nijmegen and Wijchen. De Berendonck is a big lake surrounded by grasslands, forest and beaches. We are allowed everywhere (run, walk & swim) from 1st October until 1st May. The rest of the year we’re not allowed at the (sun)bath area but we can enjoy the rest of the paths.
There is another interesting off-the-leash area to explore in Heumensoord (600 ha) just Southeast of Nijmegen between de Scheidingsweg, de road Nijmegen-Malden, de road Malden to Groesbeek along the railway Nijmegen-Cuijk. Heumensoord is a mixed forest, great for walks over comfortable paths, also accessible for wheelchairs. We can’t go off-the-lead everywhere, but it’s well signposted and there are plenty of possibilities. In case your humans fancy a snack or drink after a long walk, of course with you(!) there’s a restaurant with terrace closeby: The Paviljoen Zweef Inn.
Enjoy your walk!
High-Five and a paw from Nerone and my guardian Karen
**For more information about rules and off-the-lead areas, online: https://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/natuurgebieden/rijk-van-nijmegen/routes
Cycle tours throughout the Netherlands
WALKS & SIGHTS in HOLLAND
Cycle tours throughout the Netherlands
Post Box 1024/2340
NL-2340 BA Oegstgeest
Phone: +31 88 123 8999
Web: http://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl/
Mail: administratie@vriendenopdefiets.nl
Source: “vrienden op de fiets” 2015
Exploring the Netherlands by bicycle is a must for all those who love the combination of culture, views, good food, discovering hidden gems and meanwhile doing some exercise! In case your an active dog, like me, tell your humans all about the following possibilities.
In 2015, my humans decided to take me, Tibor, on a trip to the Netherlands homeland of my human “mum”. Before we went they got a membership by an organisation called “vrienden op de fiets” (friends on a bike). You pay 8€ for a membership (or 10€ if you life outside the Netherlands – online booking no problem). Soon you’ll receive a card with personal number, a map with connected trails all through the Netherlands and most important of all an address guide book. The foundation offers a network of overnight addresses for sporty types going on multiple-day trips. These addresses are often situated along splendid cycling and hiking routes in the Netherlands. You can set off anywhere in the country – and stay overnight and have breakfast in people’s homes for a bargain price (Only 19€ a day per person including breakfast. Kids special prices, dogs on request in lots of accommodations possible).
The addresses aren’t on the internet and you’ll only have access to make a reservation by giving your membership code at booking. It’s a fabulous way to get to know the Dutchies and it’s much cheaper than staying in official places such as B&B, pensions or hotels. What to expect?
Well, a warm welcome, a made-up bed and a hardy breakfast!
You can do a cycle trip around the country in less than or month, or special sightseeing trails along the typical mills, cities, the hills in the south or dikes in the north. All trails are connected as so called “knooppunten” which are knots connecting one trail by another. Always well-signposted with numbers, the distance in kilometres, names of cities and villages, where you are and where to go next.
Have a look yourself on their website and see for yourself. I tell you, I had the time of my life! I couldn’t believe that my humans were able to move that fast!
Walks Off the Lead Areas, Holland
WALKS & SIGHTS in HOLLAND
Off the lead areas (DOLA-areas)/ the Netherlands
NL
Source: “te voet” wandelkrant van Nederland 2015
Walking with your Dog off Lead in one of the Netherlands nature parks isn’t that easy. Mainly you’ve got to have your dog on the lead or it’s completely forbidden to enter in a natural park, especially when we’re talking about areas with animals such as deer, rabbits or simply cows or horses around. Anyone not respecting those rules must count with warnings or even ….. .
Who legally likes to walk with a dog off lead can go to several special, so called DOLA (Dog off Lead Areas or in Dutch “Honden Loploop Gebied”), areas. Here dogs are allowed to walk off the lead, so no restrictions. Please have your dog within visual distance and under voice control when doing so. A lead and a waste bag should be carried anyway.
Here an overview of over more than 80 different DOLA areas in the Netherlands principally public areas owned by the government. At each place you’ll find indicated with signs, where exactly your dog is allowed to walk freely. Be aware of changes, so always mind the signs!
| AREA (by Province) | Where off Lead? | OWNED BY | LOCATION/TOWN |
| GRONINGEN | |||
| Ter Apeler Bossen | Kloosterbos | SBB | Ter Apel |
| Vledderbos | -a limited part- | SBB | Stadskanaal |
| Lauwersmeer | Northern area Ballastplaatbos, SW Kollumeroord, 3rd beach from Lauwersoog | SBB | Lauwersoog |
| Trimunt | Area until Postdijk | SBB | Marum, t.n. A7 |
| FRIESLAND | |||
| Fochteloërveen | Compagnonsbossen, Westside Mr. Lokstraat | NM | Appelscha |
| Ameland | Camping Koudenburg and area North of camping Roosduinen in Ballum | SBB | Ameland |
| Vlieland | Forest around the village Vlieland | SBB | Vlieland |
| Koningsdiep | Demersken at Ureterp and Hemrikkerscharren at Hemrik | SBB | Wijnjewouden |
| Oranjewoud | Tuimelaarsbos: part at Heerenveen-South, North of Woutsterberg and a couple of small fields/areas | SBB | Heerenveen |
| Gaasterland | Balksterbos at Balk and a part of Elfbergen at Oudemirdum | SBB | Balk |
| DRENTHE | |||
| Drents Friese Wold | Everywhere, except fields with herds. During summertime dogs are completely forbidden around the pond | SBB | Diever |
| Nationaal Park Dwingelderveld | Everywhere, except fields with herds | SBB | Ruinen, Dwingelo |
| Boswachterij Exloo-Odoorn | Everywhere, except prohibition at the sheep-park, on the leash at the Odoorner dennen and Molenveld | SBB | Exloo, Odoorn |
| Boswachterij Gees | Everywhere, except at the Hoge Stoep during herding season | SBB | Nieuw Balinge, Gees |
| Boswachterij Sleenerzand | Everywhere, except around the Keijl and the Galgenberg | SBB | Weezup |
| OVERIJSSEL | |||
| Boswachterij Staphorst | Northern part of Natte Neuzenpad at N-E of Punthorst | SBB | Staphorst |
| Boswachterij Hardenberg | South of N34
East of N36 |
SBB | Hardenberg |
| Sallandse Heuvelrug | Hellendoornse Berg, Northside of Almeloseweg; between Klinkenbeltweg and Hellendoornseweg; Kattebos and Teesselinkveld at the eastside of Holterweg | SBB | Nijverdal, Hellendoorn |
| FLEVOLAND | |||
| Voorsterbos | At dagrecreatiecentrum De Voorst | SBB | Kraggenburg |
| Kuinderbos | Around parking Hopweg in Kuinre, Natte Neuzenroute starts from parking Schansweg | SBB | Kuinre |
| Wisentbos | Everywhere | SBB | Swifterbant |
| Roggebotszand | Everywhere, except forest K. Wilhelminabos | SBB | Northeast of Dronten |
| Reve-Abbertbos | Everywhere | SBB | East of Dronten |
| Spijk/Bremerberg | Everywhere, except Spijkvijver/strand (pond/beach) | SBB | near Elburg |
| Hollandse Hout | On the right of the Buizerdweg, behind Camping ‘t Oppertje | SBB | Lelystad |
| Almeerderhout | A part near Langewetering, Vongerspad and Oude Waterlandseweg and a part between Meentweg and Stanleypad | SBB | Almere-Haven |
| Horsterwold | Triangle Spiekweg, Groenewoudseweg and waterloop; small narrow area between Zeewolde and Camping De Dasselaar; part beach-area Nuldernauw | SBB | Zeewolde |
| Hulkesteinse bos | Triangle Nijkerkerweg, Slingerweg and Wielse Tocht | SBB | Near Spakenburg and Nijkerk |
| GELDERLAND | |||
| Veluwezoom | Rozendaalse veld, Landgoederen Beekhuizen, Heuven, Rhederoord, bossen Hadenou en Schaddevelden | NM | Arnhem |
| Wolfheze | Northern area A50 | NM | Wolfheze, Doorwerth |
| Zwolse Bos | Everywhere | SBB | Heerde, Wapenveld |
| Boswachterij Nunspeet | Zandenbos, area near Vierhouten, Belvedèrebos | SBB | S-E Nunspeet |
| Speulderbos | Around (outskirt ring) Speulderbos | SBB | Putten |
| Boswachterij Garderen | Area between Hoge Boeschoterweg, Harderwijkerkarweg and Apeldoornsestraat | SBB | Garderen |
| Boswachterij Kootwijk | “Recreatieterrein” area Caiwickerzand | SBB | Kootwijk |
| Terrein bij Ugchelen/Hoenderloo | “Recreatiegebied” area ’t Leesten | SBB | Ugchelen, Hoenderloo |
| Slangenburg | From Doetinchem area on the right of Varsseveldseweg | SBB | Doetichem |
| Boswachterij Ruurlo | Forest area De Meene | SBB | Ruurlo |
| Rijk van Nijmegen | Part of Groesbeekse bos (forest) | SBB | Groesbeek |
| Landgoed Mariënborn | Parts of Hoog Erf and Landgoed Mariëndaal | GL | Arnhem |
| Duno | Between Oosterbeekseweg and Dunolaan | GL | Oosterbeek |
| Zwaluwenburg | -see signs at location- | GL | Oldenbroek |
| Landgoed Bonenburg | -see signs at location- | GL | Heerde |
| Petrea | -see signs at location- | GL | Wapenveld |
| Sysselt | -see signs at location- | GL | Ede |
| Landgoed Schaffelaar | -see signs at location- | GL | Barneveld |
| ‘t Velde | -see signs at location- | GL | Warnsveld |
| Landgoed Hagen | Lane behind the hospital | GL | Doetinchem |
| Orderbos | -see signs at location- | GL | Apeldoorn |
| UTRECHT | |||
| Kaapse bossen | At theeschenkerij Helenaheuvel (teahouse) | NM | Doorn, Maarn |
| Tienhovense Plassen | Kanaaldijk | NM | Nieuw-Loosdrecht |
| Boswachterij Austerlitz | Leftside of Woudenbergseweg, coming from Zeist | SBB | Woudenberg, Austerlitz |
| De Vuursche | Everywhere, except Heideterrein De Stulp | SBB | Baarn |
| NOORD-HOLLAND | |||
| Grafelijkheidsduinen | Parts, see signs at location | NHL | Den Helder |
| Naaldenveld | Parts, see signs at location | NHL | Aerdenhout |
| Corversbos | N-E side | NM | Hilversum |
| Nijenburg | Middle of the forest | NM | Alkmaar, Heilo |
| Pettermerduinen | Southern area, Sint Maartenszeeweg | SBB | Petten |
| ZUID-HOLLAND | |||
| Hollands Duin | Everywhere, except during breed season from 1-3 en 1-8 | SBB | Noordwijk |
| Duingebied Wassenaar | Everywhere, except during breed season from 1-3 en 1-8 | SBB | Wassenaar |
| Bosgebied Gazenhoek | Everywhere, except during breed season from 1-3 en 1-8 | SBB | Wassenaar |
| Haagse bos | Everywhere | SBB | Den Haag |
| Alblasserbos | Everywhere, except dog prohibition in the forest of Papendrecht and Heemtuin in the forest Wijngaarden | SBB | Alblasserdam |
| NOORD-BRABANT | |||
| Regterheide | Northern part | BL | Goirle |
| Loonse en Drunense Heide | DOLA-route from parking Ijsbaan Kaatsheuvel, DOLA area at Restaurant Bosch en Duin in Udenhout | NM | Loon op Zand |
| Vresselsbos | From parking Vogelsven follow Blauwe (blue) paaltjesroute | SBB | Nijnsel, Sint-Oedenrode |
| Liesbos | Western area between Moerdijkse Postbaan and Huisdreef | SBB | Breda |
| Mastbos | Area north of Bouvignedreef | SBB | Breda |
| Boswachterij Dorst | Dongense Heining, Frederiksbossen en De Seterse Bergen | SBB | Breda, Rijen |
| Boswachterij Chaam en Ulvenhoutsbos | Voorbos Ulvenhoutsbos between gemeentehuis en fazanterie, Chaamse side of Chaams forest until Huisdreef | SBB | Chaam, Ulvenhout |
| Boswachterij Leende | Area, left at entrance Leenderbos | SBB | Valkenswaard, Leende |
| LIMBURG | |||
| Bij Grote Heide | Around info centre Limburgs Landschap | LL | Venlo |
| Bergerbos | Area, about 1,5 km away from the village | SBB | Afferden |
| ZEELAND | |||
| Bosje naast Neckermann | Everywhere | SBB | Hulst |
| Braakmanbossen | Southern part, Isabellakanaal | SBB | Filippine |
| Kunstbos | Everywhere | SBB | Axel |
| Bos bij Nummer Een | Everywhere | SBB | Nummer Een |
| De Schotsman | South of Campensweg, over paved and unpaved trails | SBB | Kamperland |
| Krekengebied Ouwerkerk | Oostkreekroute | SBB | Ouwerkerk |
| Boswachterij Westerschouwen | Western of the Weijdeweg | SBB | Westenschouwen |
| Grevelingen | Some small fields | SBB | Schouwen-Duiveland |
| **Owned by:
NM = Nature Monument; SBB = state forest; NHL = Noord-Hollands Land state; GL = Geldersch Land state; BL = Brabants Land state; LL = Limburgs Land state |
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