Hiking in and around Wassenaar

Wassenaar derives much of its fame from its varied landscape with its many estates, villas and farms. Its forests and meadows, proximity to the extensive dune area and the beach make Wassenaar a unique walking community in the Randstad. Wassenaar is part of Duin, Horst & Weide, the outlying area of the municipalities of Wassenaar, Voorschoten and Leidschendam-Voorburg. The three municipalities work together in the Pact of Duivenvoorde and have the joint ambition to make the outlying area with its succession of landscapes vital, authentic and accessible. Accessible where it is possible and where nature and agricultural interests are not harmed. The following video gives a good picture of the landscapes of the Pact of Duivenvoorde.

You can enjoy on foot both the varied natural areas with their rich flora and fauna and the beautiful historic buildings. The walking route starts at Raadhuis de Paauw where ample parking is available.

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Royal Estate De Horsten gives this walk its distinguished touch. If you go in the second half of May, the purple of the famous Lilac Mountain flashes there among the greenery. It blooms for a week or two. The distinguished content of the route continues as you pass the magnificent villas. Everyone wants to live there. Dutch peat meadows provide the third sight. How beautiful it is there as the sun rises over a morning mist.

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In the Golden Age, the Republic of the United Netherlands flourished into a leading country. Regents and wealthy merchants had fine properties built and the very wealthy had estates built. The villages along the coast of South Holland proved to be the perfect locations for this. In a multi-day walking route (of 44 kilometers) you will discover these estates and country houses in the southern part of the Landgoederenzone Zuid-Holland. Start in The Hague and pass country estates in Wassenaar, Voorschoten, Leidschendam-Voorburg and Rijswijk. A number of estates are open to the public (sometimes for a fee). You can also shorten the walking route to 37 or 24 kilometers. 

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A walk along famous Wassenaar monuments. After all, our village has a long history. A walk for true culture lovers. This 1-hour walk will send you in and around the old village center of Wassenaar. Start your walk at the Dorpskerk on the Plein. During the walk, check out the brochure "Monuments in Wassenaar" (which is also on our own website) from time to time. You will walk past as many as 22 monuments, each with their own story. In addition, the route is outlined in this online brochure. And for enthusiasts, there is even a bicycle route that passes by the more spaced out monumental buildings and parks.

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Most of the estates and country houses are located in Wassenaar on both sides of the Rijksstraatweg. They originated from the end of the 16th century along an important thoroughfare from The Hague to Haarlem on a higher part of the beach ridge. 

From both Leiden and The Hague, Wassenaar was a convenient area for rural retreat from the stench and bustle of the city. Well-to-do city dwellers converted castles and farms into country houses with beautifully landscaped parks to relax in.

An almost contiguous coherent area with parks that were laid out according to the latest fashion was created. It is unique that in Wassenaar relatively many 18th-century parks in early landscape style have been recognizably preserved. Also extensive is the number of 19th-century landscape parks.
The walking route passes a beautiful series of country houses with parks such as De Paauw and Backershagen, which in the 19th century were part of the nearly 600 hectares of territory owned by Prince Frederick of the Netherlands. Along the way you will also encounter other country houses, some of which have new villas built in the parks. The total route is 12 km. You can also choose to shorten the route to 7.5 km if you start at De Paauw (no. 2). If you start at the Koffiehuisje (no. 13) you can shorten the route to 6.5 km. The shortened route is indicated on the Map (PDF) as well as in the field.

The booklet has no less than 32 pages. It can be checked out for free below but is also for sale for €2.50 at the VVV Wassenaar and at the Wassenaar library.

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Lentevreugd is a former piece of bulb land from the 1920s. It is located in Wassenaar on the west side of provincial road N441, between the Pan van Persijn and Rijksdorp. Over a period of about 10 years, the site was expanded by purchase from initially 42 ha to just under 100 ha and transformed into seepage grassland with ditches and pools. The path through the grounds is called the Meta Jochemspad, after one of the former landowners. You may encounter Scottish Highlanders and 15 Konik horses here, among others. Start your walking tour from the Katwijkseweg in Wassenaar. 

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Prince Frederik - the brother of King William ll - is no stranger to Wassenaarders. He left quite a mark on the appearance of the village. Not to mention that our own Town Hall - De Paauw - was his old country residence where he spent time with his family in the summer and autumn. His then study is now the room of our own Mayor Leendert de Lange.

In the 19th century, a ring road was created connecting Prince Frederik's nine estates. This route takes you past beautiful locations and attractive views of the prince's estates. The route runs through Wassenaar as well as Voorschoten. So hop on your bike or go on foot along this unique circular route and don't forget the interactive Map . De Paauw and many service houses can be admired from the outside.
Please note: only follow the red line in the map, as this is the route over public and walkable land.

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A varied route through dunes and along the sea from the parking lot at the Wassenaarse Slag. You walk along shifting dunes, through wet dune valleys, pine forest and along fens. From high dune tops you have a beautiful view of the area. In the grazing areas you run the risk of encountering Galloway cattle or Konik horses. Dogs must therefore be leashed here. At walking junction 18 you can shorten the route, but then you miss Farm Meyendel. Back you walk along the beach. In strong winds from the north you can also choose to walk the route in the opposite direction.

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Panbos is a hiking and playing forest for young and old. The forest has duck ponds, play equipment for (small) children, a deer camp and beautiful lawns for relaxation.

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The Valkenburg Lake is a large pond, created by sand mining, located between Wassenaar, Valkenburg and Leiden. It is part of the Hollandse Plassen area. The lake is suitable for small water recreation, such as sailing, canoeing and surfing, and of course for swimming. The Valkenburg Lake is also an excellent place for a nice walk, with or without the dog. In fact, dogs are allowed to run loose there -- something that is no longer allowed in many places. During such a walk there is a lot to enjoy, especially in winter. The Valkenburg Lake is located on the A44, exit Leiden Zuid. From the direction of The Hague take exit 9, from Amsterdam take exit 8. Then follow the signs Valkenburgse Meer. There is ample parking space.

Recreation area Vlietland used to be a meadow where cows grazed. But starting in 1989, the first lake was created. Now Vlietland has several lakes and the experienced hiker can take a circular walk around these lakes. This walk is about 7 to 8 kilometers long. Start and end the walk at Waterfront hospitality pavilion near the inner harbor. This way you can end the long walk with a well-deserved hot cup of chocolate in winter, or an ice-cold drink in summer.

Start your walk on unpaved paths through the forest and dunes at Voorlinden, eventually arriving back at the museum as well.You will walk about three quarters of an hour. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed. 

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A route for poetry lovers. In fact, Wassenaar has a real poetry route. During this route you will encounter poems by poets who have or had ties with Wassenaar. It is about 21 poems that you will see on facades, in the streets and in public spaces. So keep your eyes peeled. On the website of the Poetry Route Wassenaar you can read more about the poems and the poets. Here you will find the route mapped out on a map.

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The Atlantic Wall is the German defense line along Western Europe's coast. Here and there you can still see a bunker standing between buildings, in the woods or under the sand. Walking through the Hollandse Duin nature reserve, you will see a tank wall winding through the landscape like a snake. This walk is for the real fanatics. It is a whopping 9 kilometers long and runs through loose sand with a rise here and there. A tip: bring a packed lunch, as the only catering establishment you will encounter along the way does not have fixed opening hours. 

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Mindful walking is really nothing more than walking with attention. You can do it anywhere, but a beautiful natural setting helps, like this dune landscape near Wassenaarseslag. An area with two faces: forest and dune. Not thinking about a route (we did), the wind through your hair, your gaze at infinity, that relaxes. A few simple mindfulness exercises make it even easier to put aside the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Breathe in, breathe out: let's go!

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A 10.5 km walk around Meijendel. During this walk you will walk through the dunes between The Hague and Wassenaar. You start and end the route at the oldest water tower in the Netherlands, the water tower of Scheveningen. 

During the hike, look around carefully as there is plenty to see. Keep the "Secrets of the Dunes" brochure (also available on our own website) handy during the walk. It contains the route and all sorts of interesting facts about the places you pass. And if you need a break along the way, no problem. During the hike you can warm up in the cold months at Pancake Farm Meijendel or finish the hike with a hot cup of chocolate at café-restaurant Onder de Watertoren. Keep in mind of course the current corona measures.

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A challenging route through the dune area managed by Dunea. This is the piece of peace and quiet in the Randstad. Just put on your walking shoes and make your way along the unpaved paths. Start the walk at Dunea's visitor center, De Tapuit. This 4.5-kilometer walk leads through the bird forest to the beach and via a lookout point back to De Tapuit. During your walk, be a little kind to nature and stay on the paths. Open your eyes and see special plants and animals along the route. This brochure has the entire route mapped out. 

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