The Netherlands has beautiful natural areas with extensive hiking routes. Not everywhere you can walk your dog, but in this blog I share my four favourite walks where you can. I love going out here with my dog Flo. In these nature reserves you can relax, enjoy the surroundings and quality time with your four-legged friend.
1. Rambling route De Roestelberg - Hiking route National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen
One of the best-known nature reserves in North Brabant is National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen. This nature reserve is the largest shifting sands complex in Europe and is also known as the Brabant Sahara.
The nature reserve is also very dog-friendly because it has two dog-walking routes and one large area where dogs can run and play freely. Because of this, I find National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen one of the nicest places to walk with the dog.
The 4.5-km route starts from the car park at Café-Restaurant De Roestelberg. From here, follow the blue markings with the image of a dog on it.
While walking the off-leash route De Roestelberg, you explore different parts of this beautiful area. Here the dogs can run through the dunes as much as they want, collect branches while walking through the woods and swim in a large pond halfway the off-leash route.
2. Border posts route - Hiking route National Park De Hoge Veluwe
National Park De Hoge Veluwe is known as a beautiful park with endless hiking pleasure. My dog Flo can't get enough of it and I too find the Veluwe magnificent. The nature reserve has different types of landscapes, so as a hiker you experience a lot of space and tranquillity. Chances are you will encounter different animals on some of the walking routes. Perhaps red deer or mouflon. In order not to disturb the peace and quiet of these animals, it is important that you walk on the marked paths and keep your dog on a leash.
Fortunately, the Forestry Commission has thought of our four-legged friends. Especially for dogs, they have created a place where they can run loose: Losloopveldje Hoenderloo is located next to the porter's lodge at the park entrance.
My favourite walking route on the Hoge Veluwe is the Grenspalen route. A walking route of 4.8km along old border posts from 1757. These boundary posts mark the division between the municipalities of Arnhem and Ede. This walking route is known for its rich history and wide variety of tree species. A delightful and above all varied walk, you could say. If you want to walk this route, start at the green pole with 'Start Grenspalenroute' on the Kemperbergerweg (bend Stadsdennen/Roggekamp).
3. Wet noses route - Hiking route National Park Drents-Friese Wold
Looking for a nature reserve with unique flora and fauna? Then National Park Drents-Friese Wold is a must! This nature reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands. With different types of landscape such as woods, heathland, shifting sands and stream valley grasslands, the Drents-Friese Wold is a wonderful area for hiking.
To protect life in the nature reserve, dogs must remain on a leash for the most part. Except on the Wet-Noses Trail. This walking route starts at the visitors' centre Appelscha and is about 6.5 km long. From the starting point, it is important to follow the yellow posts with the dog's paw on them.
While walking, you and your dog walk along beautiful winding paths through a rich forest area. Especially for the dogs (and also horses), a pond has been dug where they can move around freely and play in the water. You will find this splash pond north of the Canada Lake on the Canada Road.
4. Mill Heath - Hiking route Leenderbos Heeze-Leende
The Leenderbos in Heeze-Leende is a beautiful walking area where dogs are allowed to run free in a certain part of the area. In this nature reserve you will find vast forests, spectacular fens but also sand drifts. The Leenderbos has its own character with the lovely smell of pine trees. A fantastic area for walking with your dog!
My four-legged friend loves nothing more than running and playing in nature. I am therefore pleased that a dog-walking area has been created in the Leenderbos. Dogs are allowed to run loose here on Molenheide, where they can run freely.
If you are still looking for another fun walking route with the dog on the Strabrechtse Heide, the Snuffelroute is also fun. This route is 4 km long where the dog is allowed off leash. The walking route is yellow with the starting point being the car park Heezerweg in Mierlo.
Tip: Looking for a pet-friendly holiday home? Honeyguide Simone tips Huis onder de Vuurtoren in Huisduinen, where your dog is more than welcome.
Will you let us know where you and your four-legged friend go? Share your adventures with us via @honeyguide.co.uk on Instagram.
Love,
Daphne