The Unbound

Trail through the Lange Bretten, a piece of rugged, wild nature on the edge of Amsterdam. The Lange Bretten used to be an estate, where Huis te Bretten stood. In the 20th century, people actually wanted to start a new industrial estate here, but nature took hold here so quickly that it was soon set up as a nature and recreation area. Now it is a beautiful wild city forest, full of waters. There are numerous bridges and even a ferry across the rivers. The Bretten are filled with reeds, birds,...

Short loop through the eastern part of the Houtrak nature and recreation area. The Houtrak is part of the larger Spaarnwoude area, located near Amsterdam. The forest park is a popular recreation area and is also a rich and valuable nature reserve. You can clearly see this during the walk, when you hike along various rivers, through the woods and past the large pond.

Unofficial cycle route from Castricum to Santpoort and through Kennemerland. You cycle through the landscape along rivers and lakes and through the beautiful Kennemerland. This route is not marked.

In 2007 Amsterdam decided to transform this area into an urban agriculture and recreation area. The Gardens of West are still under development in some areas, but this wonderful trail can already be cycled or hiked. Events and workshops are regularly organized in the Gardens of West. There is a city farm and food forest, a nature playground and an art route through the gardens. For more information: https://tuinenvanwest.info/

Between Zwanenburg and Amsterdam lies a strip of greenery, made up of various parks. The strip is part of Spaarnwoude. This round takes you from the train station past De Kluut to the fruit gardens of West and the gardens of Osdorp. The route continues along the canals towards De Bretten, where bushes, waters and fields alternate. Last, you walk around the ponds and through the woods of the Geuzenbos.