The Netherlands is small, but the variety is big. Within an hour of most homes there is a place where you and your dog can walk for hours without a car in sight. These are five of our favourites.
Schoorlse Duinen, North Holland
Some of the highest dunes in the country, with pine forest in between. Wide sandy paths, plenty of shade in summer and a view over the sea from the top. Perfect for dogs who love to dig their paws in the sand.
Loonse en Drunense Duinen, North Brabant
A drift sand plain that feels like a desert, surrounded by quiet woods. Early in the morning it is almost empty. Bring water, because there is little shade out on the sand.
Veluwezoom, Gelderland
Heath that turns purple in late summer, beech forest and the view from the Posbank. Wild animals live here, so keep your dog close and follow the signs.
Drents-Friese Wold, Drenthe and Friesland
One of the largest forests in the country. Long, quiet trails through pine and heath, with sandy drifts in between. A good place for a full day out.
Kop van Schouwen, Zeeland
Dunes, forest and the beach within one walk. Outside the summer season many beaches here welcome dogs, which makes it a great autumn and winter trip.
"The best walk is not the longest one. It is the one where you both come home tired and happy."
What to bring, whichever route you choose
A collapsible bowl and some water make more difference than almost anything else, especially on the sandy routes where there is little natural shade. A leash you trust, even on stretches where dogs are usually allowed to walk free, means you are not caught out at the one part of the route where they are not. And a towel in the boot saves the car on the way home, particularly after the coastal walks.
Reading the terrain
Dune sand and forest floor ask different things of a dog's paws and pace. On hot days the open dune paths can heat up quickly, so we tend to walk those earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, and save the shaded forest routes for around midday. After rain, the Drents-Friese Wold trails tend to drain well, while the drift sand at Loonse en Drunense Duinen can stay soft for longer, which is part of why it stays quiet even at a weekend.
We have walked most of these routes with Nora and Mila at some point, and they don't agree on favourites. Nora, true to form, heads straight for anything she can dig her paws into, so the dune routes are hers. Mila prefers the forest paths, probably because there is more to sniff at nose height along the treeline. If you are walking with more than one dog, it is worth picking a route with a bit of both, so everyone comes home satisfied.
Planning around the season
Spring and early summer bring breeding season restrictions in many dune and heath areas (more on that below). Leash rules apply year-round on most of the heath, so bring a longer leash and let your dog sniff at their own pace. Coastal routes like Kop van Schouwen work well outside the school holidays, when the beaches are quieter and more of them allow dogs. A little planning around the calendar goes a long way toward a walk that suits your dog rather than the crowds.
Leash rules differ per area and season, especially during the breeding season from March to August. Always check the signs at the entrance. A calm dog on a loose leash makes every route more enjoyable, for you and for everyone you meet.
