Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park (known in English as “Utrecht Hill Ridge National Park”) is one of the most spectacular and appealing national parks in the Netherlands. Located in the centre of the country, Utrechtse Heuvelrug is an incredible mixture of beautiful landscapes, attractive nature, and intriguing culture. It’s one of the largest forested areas in the Netherlands and is peppered with gorgeous manor homes and houses. So, let’s dive in and have a closer look!
TRIVIA:
❒ Official name: Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park (Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug)
❒ Established: 2003/2013
❒ Size: 10000 ha
❒ Location: Utrecht
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About Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park
Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is quite large for a Dutch national park, at around 100 square kilometres (10,000 hectares). As the name suggests, it’s located in the province of Utrecht, and is just a few kilometres outside the city of the same name. It’s also conveniently located near the cities of Amersfoort and Veenendaal, while smaller towns like Zeist, Woudenberg, Houten, and Wijk bij Duurstede surround the park’s borders.
The key feature of this Utrecht national park is the long hilly ridge (the Heuvelrug) that runs directly through the centre of the park, towering over the nearby terrain on their long march south-east towards the Rhine. It’s a beautiful landscape, with lots of spectacular vistas and a variety of plants and animals. In addition to the range of hills, Utrechtse Heuvelrug is also the second-largest forested area of the Netherlands (behind the nearby Veluwe and its two national parks). You’ll also find floodplains, marshes, sand drifts, and of course, the ubiquitous heathland that covers so many Dutch national parks.
Humans have lived in the national park area for millennia; flint tools were discovered near Rhenen dating back over 150,0000 years, while burial mounds from 2500-2000 years BP can still be found near Soest. There are also medieval farming communities (known as “engdorpen”) that can be found in various spots around the park. And unusually for a national park, there’s a range of defence installations too – the Heuvelrug was part of the Roman Empire’s northern border (known as the Limes), while in the modern era the New Dutch Waterline was constructed to prevent Amsterdam from land assault. So, there’s a huge number of fascinating things to see and do, let’s have a closer look.
How to get to Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park
Getting to Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is easy from Amsterdam. If you’re driving, the park stretches between Utrecht and Rhenen and is accessible via the A12 and A28, with convenient entry points near Doorn, Leersum, and Amerongen.
By public transport, take a train to Driebergen-Zeist Station, Maarn Station, or Veenendaal-West Station. From there, continue by bike or bus into the park. Driebergen-Zeist is the main gateway, with the shortest distance to the forest, while Maarn also provides direct access to trails.
Pro tip: Buy your train tickets online with the Dutch Railways (NS) for hassle-free travel. On the website of NS you can also check for any discounts.
Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!
Facilities in Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park
The main visitor’s centre at Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is De Boswerf Visitor’s Centre (Bezoekerscentrum De Boswerf), located in the middle of the Zeisterbos forest garden in the park’s northwest. There’s lots of information to be found here, along with a café, children’s play area, and shops. It’s the starting point for many of the guided tours and excursions into the national park, and a lot of walking and riding trails depart from this point as well.
Although it’s largely unfenced, there are three main access points into the park: one at Driebergen-Zeist railway station, another at the Henschotermeer, and the third at Kwintelooijen near Veenendaal.
Things to do at Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park
With such a beautiful area, it’s not surprising that Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park has a great selection of fascinating things to see and do.
1. Visit the National Military Museum
Possibly the most unexpected highlight of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is the National Military Museum, located at the park’s northern boundary in Soesterberg. This large museum covers all aspects of the Dutch armed forces, with everything from ancient flint arrowheads to modern jet fighters. There’s a comprehensive permanent collection here, along with a constantly changing cast of temporary exhibitions, so every visit is a little bit different! Tickets are required, so be sure to book in advance.
And if you’re in the mood for further military experiences, be sure to visit the Grebbeberg Military Cemetery in Rhenen, at the park’s southern edge. It commemorates the Dutch army’s largest battle of World War 2, desperately holding their ground against a superior German force in May 1940.
2. See the 18th century estate homes
Starting in the 18th century, the Heuvelrug area was used by wealthy merchants as a base for summer homes, sprawling country estates, and even a few castles! Many of these large homes are still here in the area, and are open for visits or guided tours, while others contain cafes and restaurants, fancy B&Bs, even wedding venues.
Be sure to check out Groeneveld Castle in Baarn (a spectacular Rococo-styled 18th century manor house), with its superb, manicured gardens and water features. Another not to miss is Sterkenberg Castle at Driebergen-Rijsenburg, with its gorgeous looming stone tower. Other highlights include Slot Zeist, a 17th century French baroque chateau, Geerestein Estate at Woudenberg, Kerckebosch Castle in Zeist, and stunning Prattenberg Estate in Rhenen. Opening hours and entry prices can vary, so to avoid disappointment be sure to double-check local information or the website before turning up!
3. Hiking and cycling
With over 100 square kilometres of pristine nature to explore, it’s no surprise that there’s some fantastic hiking and cycling trails across Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park. For a great family-friendly walk that’s accessible for all mobility levels, check out the 2.4-kilometre route around the Broekhuizen Estate.
Other great short walks include the 2.2-kilometre Drakenstein Castle Garden walk, the 2.5-kilometre Groeneveld route, and the 3.5-kilometre Stone of Mariken walk. Or for something a bit longer, the 10-kilometre Prehistoric Route winds through ancient burial mounds and dense forests in the De Vuursche area.
There’s a great range of cycling paths across the Heuvelrug as well, including the colossal 220-kilometre Heel de Heuvelrug (All of the Heuvelrug) which runs almost from Amsterdam to the Rhine and back, across most of the national park. But for something a bit more realistic, head for any of the park’s main access points, or the De Boswerf Visitor’s Centre, and choose from one of the many options available.
4. Go mountain biking
There’s an excellent selection of mountain biking trails across the Heuvelrug too, thanks to hilly terrain and dense forest. Some of the best-regarded trails include the 15-kilometre MTB Route Austerlitz, or the 18-kilometre trails MTB Routes Amerongse Berg and Hoge Vuursche, while the 11-kilometre Lage-Vuursche MTB Route is an excellent warmup trail.
Note that an MTB Vignette pass is required to use the trails on the Heuvelrug. Vignettes are currently €7,50 and are valid for the entire calendar year. They can be purchased either online or from various outlets in nearby villages. Note that this vignette is specific to the Heuvelrug, and other MTB Vignettes (such as the Naaturmonumenten vignette) aren’t valid here.
Final words
Overall, Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is one of the most interesting and unusual national parks in all the Netherlands. With so much to see and do, it’s well worth a visit for anyone visiting or spending time in Utrecht province.
