Which hiking areas are among the most beautiful in South Holland? In this article, we share our favorite places to hike. Zuid-Holland is one of the beautiful provinces that are The Netherlands rich and there is an incredible amount to discover and experience. From an enjoyable city trip to Rotterdam, Delft or Leiden to finding peace and quiet in one of the beautiful hiking areas.
1. National Park The Biesbosch
On the border with the province of North Brabant lies the National Park De Biesbosch. A beautiful vast and very watery area, which is also one of the few existing freshwater tides in Europe. And is even the largest freshwater marsh in the Netherlands. Needless to say, this national park is therefore the place in South Holland where you can spot many beavers, weasels, foxes and numerous special bird species.
The whole area consists of an area of about 9,000 hectares. Ideal for taking a beautiful walk. In addition, this area, which consists of a maze of rivers and creeks, is also great for a nice time on the water. After all, you can kayak and canoe for miles, rent a whisper boat or sail around in your own boat. Our favorite way to explore De Biesbosch is by whisper boat. This way you can fully enjoy the silence and sounds of nature around you.
Tips for visiting National Park De Biesbosch
2. Nature Island of Tiengemeten
Did you know that province of South Holland also has an island? How special and fun. Tiengemeten is a nature island where you can go by ferry from Zuid-Beijerland. The appearance of the island has changed tremendously over the years, but now it is the ideal place for those who want to get a breath of fresh air. Can you imagine that where you now walk through swampy reed beds, you used to find a dump of silt?
The nature island of Tiengemeten consists of three areas: Weemoed, Weelde and Wildernis. You can explore each area with one of the written out walking routes on Tiengemeten. For example, explore the Weemoed area on a walk along farmland. Or the Weelde area, which consists mainly of rough grasslands and marshes. The Wildernis area takes you along mud flats and marshlands. A place where you are bound to get dirty, but it is definitely worth it!
Tips for visiting Nature Island Tiengemeten
3. The Green Heart
The Green Heart includes several hiking areas in South Holland province. There are several hiking, biking and boating routes that take you through Het Groene Hart. One of our favorite places in this area is the Krimpenwaard. A peaceful area where you find yourself in the primeval Dutch polder area. It is a fantastically beautiful area. Should you consider another location in the Green Heart, consider the Reeuwijkse Plassen. Also a typical Dutch environment where you can walk between polders and rivers.
Tips for walking through the Green Heart
4. Kinderdijk: walking along old Dutch heritage
Even though we live so close to Alblasserwaard, it is rare that we made the effort to go to one of the most beautiful places in South Holland: the Kinderdijk. A crazy location where you can admire 19 beautiful windmills that together ensure that our province is not flooded. A place we as Dutch people should be proud of.
5. National Park Holland Dunes
A unique hiking area in South Holland province is undoubtedly the National Park Dutch Dunes. A place where refined nature, the Dutch North Sea and urban life meet, complement and alternate. So it is a real place for the beach and dune lover. If you want to take a walk through the entire national park, it is best to start in Hoek van Holland or Noordwijk. This is because between these two towns you will find the vast coastal landscape that is about 43 kilometers long in total. Hollandse Duinen National Park is like an oasis among the most populated area in the Netherlands.
6. Meijendel hiking area
The nature reserve Meijendel is part of the National Park Hollandse Duinen, but we still specifically name it. You walk here through a hilly landscape that stretches from North Scheveningen to Wassenaar. It is the largest contiguous dune area of South Holland which is characterized by the many hawthorns that grow in this area.
Tip: Want to spot konik horses? Then you should be in the parts Kijfhoek and Bierlap. This is where you have the best chance of spotting the wild animals!
7. The Westland: walking between greenhouses, polders and coast
Westland is known as the greenhouse region of the Netherlands, but it is also surprisingly versatile as a hiking area. You walk here through open polders, along canals and greenhouses, through nature reserves and towards the coast. It is precisely this variety that makes Westland such a great place for a walk in South Holland.
Popular hiking areas include the polders around Naaldwijk and Wateringen, the Staelduinse Bos and the dunes near Monster and ’s-Gravenzande. Along the way you'll pass beach cafes, farm stores and cozy village centers, perfect for a coffee stop or lunch. Want to know the best places to walk and what not to miss along the way? Then check out our tips and to do's in Westland for the best hiking trails and fun stops.
