The Trekvogelpad trail: the most beautiful hike in the Netherlands

The Trekvogelpad trail is the most beautiful long distance trail in the Netherlands. It starts at the coast of Bergen aan Zee and finishes at Enschede near the border with Germany. You will hike more than 400 kilometers to some of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands.

The Trekvogelpad trail crosses the Netherlands from West to East and is 414 kilometers long. It connects a number of nature reserves and landscapes that are very important for migratory bords passing through the Netherlands. Therefore this trail is great for birdwatchers.

Why hike the Trekvogelpad trail

When you think about the Netherlands you probably don’t think about hiking. It is true there are no real mountains, but the Netherlands has more than enough natural beauty to offer. Throughout the country is a network of trails and long distance paths. Hiking in the Netherlands can be a real pleasure for nature lovers.  

None of the hiking trails are as popular among the dutch as the Pieterpad trail. This was the first long distance hike in the Netherlands. The second long distance trail was the Trekvogelpad. The Trekvogelpad trail isn’t as famous, but is in my personal opinion more beautiful.

Trekvogelpad trail translates as Bird Migration Trail. The Netherlands is a vital stopover for many bird species during their migration. The Trekvogelpad trail is named after the migratory birds and connects the nature reserves that those birds travel through.

The Trekvogelpad is thus a great trail for birdwatchers and nature lovers. In 414 kilometers you go through a number of national parks and nature reserves with forests, heathlands, river dunes and even some hills.

The Trekvogelpad trail brings you to remote parts of the country where only a few tourists come. You will pass through small villages and historic towns. Expect to see traditional farms and wind mills as well. It is the Netherlands at its best.

How to hike the Trekvogelpad trail

The Trekvogelpad is divided into 23 official sections between 15 and 25 kilometers. How you hike the Trekvogelpad trail is a personal choice. Some hike with friends, but there are also plenty of people who walk alone. Some hike from West to East, but there are also some that do it the other way around. You can of course follow the official sections, but you can also adjust them to your own speed and capacity.

Some people walk the whole trail in one go, staying in bed and breakfasts or campings along the way. Other people walk a few sections during the weekends. I started my Trekvogelpad journey in January 2023 and went whenever I had a weekend off.

I will discuss more practicalities about hiking the Trekvogelpad trail further on. Let’s first discuss the Trekvogelpad itinerary 

Trekvogelpad trail itinerary

Below you will find my Trekvogelpad itinerary. They differ slightly from the Trekvogelpad itinerary as described on the website of Wandelnet. You can still download the gpx files for each section from Wandelnet. You can use 9292.nl or Google maps to find directions and public transportation information to the start and end points.

Trekvogelpad section 1: Bergen aan Zee – Alkmaar (21 km)

The Trekvogelpad trail starts in Bergen aan Zee. A popular seaside resort on the North Sea Coast of the Netherlands. You start on the beach, although the official starting point is the former childrens santorium ‘Het Zeehuis‘. Now also a hikers hostel.

Soon you enter the dunes that protect the land from the sea. It’s a varied landscape of forests and heather. Egmond is a great place for a small break as you leave the sea behind you and enter the farmlands and green polders of Northern Holland.

Sightseeing: the beach at Bergen aan Zee, Castle Slot van Egmond

Accomodation: Hikers hostel Het Zeehuis or King’s Inn City Hostel

Trekvogelpad section 2: Alkmaar – Graft De Rijp (24 km)

This section goes through lots of green meadows and farmlands with windmills and lots of birds. It’s a typical dutch landscape. Alkmaar has a beautiful historic center and if you are here on a friday you must check whether the cheese market is on.

Once you exit Alkmaar, it gets less nice. After passing through some industrial areas you reach Akersloot where you have to cross the river by a small ferry. Luckily, it gets much better from there, but there are long quiet stretches on paved roads through the polders.

This area used to have more than 14 windmills. The Trekvogelpad trail passes two windmills. One is from 1635. The small historic villages in the polder of Northern Holland are beautiful. De Graft developed in the 13th century and still has a stylish ancient town hall and the smallest candy store of the Netherlands.

Sightseeing: historic center of Alkmaar, Alkmaar cheese market, village of Graft with the smallest candystore in the Netherlands

Accomodation: De Rijper Eilanden

Trekvogelpad section 3: Graft De Rijp – Haaldersbroek (20 km)

Graft village now seems to have become one with ‘De Rijp’. De Rijp used to be an island surrounded by lakes and got its wealth from the herring industry. Vessels from de Rijp even went all the way to Spitsbergen to hunt for whales.

After the Schermer and Beemster polders were pumped dry, de Rijp remained an important town for the herring industry, even though the ships had to travel further to reach open waters. Nowadays, de Rijp is still one of the best places in North Holland to see traditional wooden homes.

It’s a great start of the third Trekvogelpad trail section that, like the previous section, crosses lots of green polders and lots of beautiful waterlandscapes rich with birds.

Insider tip: You are very close to the windmills of the Zaanse Schans that is very well worth a detour.

Sightseeing: village de Rijp, Fort Spijkerboor, Wormerveld, Jisperveld

Accomodation: Cafe Brasserie het Heerenhuis

Trekvogelpad section 4: Haaldersbroek – Landsmeer (18 km)

This section is full of water, reeds and birds as you get into the wetlands of “Het Oostzanerveld” and nature reserve “Het Twiske”. Het Twiske is an extremely rich bird area with birds like the Roerdomp, Wateral, Nonnetje, Rietzanger and Blauwborst

On this stretch it becomes clear why this trail is called the trekvogelpad. Trekvogel in dutch means a migratory bird and in winter, the waterrich areas above Amsterdam are home to many migratory birds from Scandinavia.

Sightseeing: Twiske

Accomodation: Het Zwanennest

Trekvogelpad section 5: Landsmeer – Broek in waterland (13 km)

The Trekvogelpad gets closer to Amsterdam and this section has mostly paved roads. Nevertheless, you will hike through scenic wetlands full of birds before you reach the traditional village of “Broek in Waterland”.

During the Dutch Golden Age, wealthy people from Amsterdam, that made their money in the maritime industry, built large wooden homes in Broek in waterland. Some say, it is the most beautiful village in the Netherlands and it is certainly worth your time to explore.

Sightseeing: village of Broek in waterland

Trekvogelpad section 6: Broek in Waterland – Amsterdam (18 km)

The scenery gets increasingly more urban as you enter Amsterdam. But before you enter the city, there is the sleepy and beautiful village of Durgerdam with its traditional 17th century wooden homes built on a dyke along the Ijmeer.

The Ijmeer is where historically, the people of Durgerdam cast their nets for fishing. As a poor fishing village, the wooden homes here are smaller than the ones in “Broek in Waterland”. But, Durgerdam, was also an important stop in the East India Trade Route, hosting sailors from around the world.

Durgerdam remains a very scenic place close to Amsterdam, that surprisingly still sees few tourists.

Sightseeing: Durgerdam

Trekvogelpad section 7: Amsterdam – Weesp (23 km)

It takes some time before you leave Amsterdam and find yourself on a nice and quiet path next to the “Gein” river. To be honest, this is not the most beautiful part of the Trekvogelpad. There are a lot of paved roads and maybe, by now, you are too spoiled by the natural beauty of the wetlands above Amsterdam.

But you will get your reward for today’s walking as you enter the ancient village of Weesp with its narrow streets, canals and historical center. Weesp was a fortified town to protect the waterways of northern Holland. Like Durgerdam, Weesp was part of the East India Trade Route. Weesp was famous for their local breweries and distilleries, supplying beer and jenever to the rest of the world.

Sightseeing: Weesp

Accomodation: Het Hart van Weesp

Trekvogelpad section 8: Weesp – Hilversumse Meent (15 km)

As you leave the beautiful historic center of Weesp into more green farmlands, it is hard to believe that this place used to be nothing more than a swampy peat bog. But you will soon enter the wetlands of the beautiful Naardermeer, that gives you a better idea of what Weesp once was like before the dutch created land out of water.

Naardermeer is a natural lake and several attempts in history to drain the water and reclaim land in this area has failed. Then in the early 1900’s Amsterdam wanted to use this area as a landfill for their waste, but locals protested. Two nature lovers founded a society to protect the nature of the Naardermeer and as a result it became one of the first protected nature reserves in the Netherlands.

Insider tip: don’t miss Annie that lives at the Naardermeer for more than 80 years and still serves coffee and tea to hikers passing by.

Sightseeing: Naardermeer

Accomodation: Bastion hotel

Pieterpad section 9: Hilversumse Meent – Baarn (20 km)

The scenery of the Trekvogelpad now really changes from green polders to forests and heathlands making this is an incredibly varied and beautiful stretch of the trail.

You start in the beautiful forests of “Spanderswoud”, but soon enter the heathlands around Hilversum. First the “Westerheide” and then the “Zuiderheide”. The scenery is wonderful. Finally you re-enter the forests around Baarn where you can visit Castle Groeneveld.

Insider Tips: Along the way are many great places to stop for a small break. Bluk theehouse at the “Zuiderheide” is recommended !!

Sightseeing: Spanderswoud, Westerheide, Zuiderheide, Castle Groeneveld

Trekvogelpad section 10: Baarn – Soesterberg (21 km)

This stretch of the Trekvogelpad goes through lots of beautiful forests as you enter de “Utrechtse Heuvelrug” or the Utrecht Hill ridge. This hill ridge was formed 150.000 years ago as a push moraine during the Ice Age. The area is now famous for its greenery and forests.

The small village of Lage Vuursche is home to castle Drakensteyn where princess Beatrix from the Dutch Royal family lives. Therefore, you can not see or visit the castle, but the village is still a great place to stop for lunch and eat pancakes.

Around Soesterberg the forest opens up into a landscape of heather and sand dunes. You will pass by the former military air base of Soesterberg that is now home to the military museum.

Insider tip: Lage Vuursche is famous for its pancakes.

Sightseeing: Lage Vuursche, Military Museum Soesterberg

Trekvogelpad section 11: Soesterberg – Doorn (23 km)

The Trekvogelpad continues through the forests of the “Utrechtse Heuvelrug”. At Austerlitz you can see a pyramid. Built in 1804 by one of the 20.000 Napoleon soldiers that were once stationed at this small forest village.

After Auserlitz you enter the “Kaapse bossen”. De Kaap lookout tower, over 25 meters high, offers a beautiful view of the area that is also a good place to see birds. Just before you enter Doorn I recommend stopping at restaurant Helenaheuvel. A great place to reward yourself with a cup of tea for today’s efforts.

Sightseeing: Austerlitz, Kaapse Bossen

Accomodation: Hotel Landgoed Zonheuvel

Trekvogelpad section 12: Doorn – Amerongen (22 km)

From Doorn to Amerongen you leave the beautiful forests behind you and enter a landscape with luxurious estates, country houses and castles. On this part of the Trekvogelpad there are long stretches on paved roads. After Castle Broekhuizen it does get a little bit boring untill you reach the “Amerongse Bovenpolder”

The floodplains of the Nederrijn river are full of flowers and birds like ducks, geese, herons and waders. From march migratory birds also enter here to enjoy the waterways and meadows. The trail finishes at the beautiful castle of Amerongen.

Sightseeing: Sandenborg estate, Castle Broekhuizen, Amerongse Bovenpolder, Castle Amerongen

Accomodation: Restaurant Hotel Buitenlust

Trekvogelpad section 13: Amerongen – Rhenen (19 km)

The Trekvogelpad trail between Amerongen and Rhenen brings you lots of beautiful landscapes including some of the highest points of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. First you hike on a small trail with the forests on your left hand side and the floodplains of the Nederrijn on your right hand side.

Then you enter the forests again, climbing up and down some hills. The highlight is the Grebbeberg where you have a beautiful view over the Nederrijn river and nature reserve the “Blauwe kamer”.

Sightseeing: Rhenen, Grebbeberg

Accomodation: Hotel het Paviljoen

Trekvogelpad section 14: Rhenen – Ede (13 km)

This was one of my least favourite parts on the Trekvogelpad trail. You have left the green forests of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug behind you and have not yet entered the Veluwe National Park that you will soon enter.

Before more natural beauty, you will first have to pass a lot of paved roads between Rhenen and Ede. There were some pleasant meadows and canals, but nothing spectacular. The downside of some long distance trails is that there are also some less nice parts in between.

Sightseeing: nothing

Trekvogelpad section 15: Ede – Otterlo (22 km)

Compared to the last section, today’s section was again very beautiful as you enter the Veluwe. The Veluwe is not only the largest push moraine area in the Netherlands formed by the last ice age, but also the largest interconnected nature reserve famous for its wildlife like deers, wild boar and nowadays even wolves.

In Ede the Trekvogelpad immediately rewards you with the beautiful estate of the 14th century Hoekelum castle. The Trekvogelpad trail then continues to the pleasant heather landscape of the “Ginkelse heide”, famous for WW2 operation market garden when allied soldiers landed here to free the Netherlands from German occupation.

After the Ginkelse Heide you enter Planken Wambuis. A varied area with heathland, drifting sand, grasslands and forests where lots of sheep roam around.

Sightseeing: Hoekelum castle, Ginkelse Heide 

Accomodation: Kruller Hotel

Trekvogelpad section 16: Otterlo – Hoenderloo (18 km)

The Veluwe National Park is one of the biggest national parks in the Netherlands. With high expectations I buy the entrance ticket as today’s section goes straight through the heart of the park.

It’s a rolling terrain with moderate climbs and descents over sandy slopes with nice views as you walk through dense forests. About halfway is the Kröller Müller museum. A great place for a break as there are few other facilities inside the park.

Sightseeing: Veluwe National Park, Kröller Müller museum

Accomodation: Fletcher Hotel Hoenderloo

Trekvogelpad section 17: Hoenderloo – Loenen (19 km)

This is the last section through the Veluwe with still a lot of forest trails and even a little bit of climbing as you pass Schenkenshul, the highest point on the Trekvogelpad. At 80 meters it is very easy to miss. Nevertheless, the dutch call this area little Switzerland.

Loenen is also famous for having the highest waterfall in the Netherlands. Again something you would not immediately think about when you see it. The waterfall is a manmade structure called a Spreng. The landscape around Loenen is shaped by the historic paper‑industry and the streams such as the Loenense Molenbeek, Stroobroeksebeek, Zilvensebeek, and Silvoldsebeek were built in the 17th century to power mills.

Although this certainly is not Switzerland, it is a very pleasant area to hike making it one of the more beautiful days on the Trekvogelpad.

Sightseeing: Spreng (waterfall)

Accomodation: Den Eikenboom

Trekvogelpad section 18: Loenen – Brummen (16 km)

This section starts at the luxurious estate of ‘Huize Eerbeek’, with reflection ponds and stately oaks. Don’t miss the ancient oil mill that was once a community hub for farmer gatherings, but now a great place to stop for coffee and homemade apple pie.

As you walk out of Loenen, you will leave the Veluwe behind you. All of a sudden you find yourself on paved roads, farms and meadows as you hike towards Hall before reaching Brummen.

Sightseeing: Huis ter Eerbeek

Trekvogelpad section 19: Brummen – Vorden (20 km)

From Brummen the scenery along the trail improves. Although the paved roads remain, the rural landscapes are more varied as the open farmfields are interspersed with beautiful estates and gardens full of blooming flowers.

After crossing the Ijssel river the trail passes through Bronkhorst, the smallest village of the Netherlands. It is very cute and a great place for a small break.

The Trekvogelpad now goes through the Achterhoek, that literally translates as the back corner. The Achterhoek is a rural area with lots of open spaces, forests, and farms. Among the dutch it is a popular recreation area where people spend their holidays hiking and cycling.

Sightseeing: Bronkhorst

Accomodation: Hotel Bakker

Trekvogelpad section 20: Vorden – Ruurlo (13 km)

At Vorden the Trekvogelpad trail crosses with the more famous Pieterpad Trail at the castle of Vorden. So far, I think the Trekvogelpad trail is more beautiful if it comes to nature and it is also way less crowded than the Pieterpad.

At Vorden we meet lots of other hikers, most of them hiking the Pieterpad trail. But it doesn’t take long before I am on my own again as I take the direction of the Trekvogelpad. It’s a relatively short, but nice hike to castle Ruurlo. Nobody knows when it was built, but it must have been before 1326 when it was first mentioned.

Sightseeing: Castle Vorden, Pieterpad crossing, Castle Ruurlo

Accomodation: Hampshire Hotel

Trekvogelpad section 21: Ruurlo – Eibergen (20 km)

If I would have to summarize this section in one word it would be farms. Today is very typical of the open farmlands that the Achterhoek is famous for. Away from the urban areas, it is also very quiet and peaceful.

The Saxon farms you pass by are all quite old with traditional wooden facades that are unique to this area. The oldest is the Wolink farm from 1770.

Sightseeing: Wolink farm

Accomodation: Hotel De Kastanjefabriek

Trekvogelpad section 22: Eibergen – Haaksbergen (16 km)

Starting near Eibergen, you’ll soon pass the historic Mallumse Molen, a charming 15th‑century combined oil and corn mill beside the Buurser Beek. From there, the trail follows the Berkel River, offering quiet riverside walking through fields and small woods.

One of the highlights is Landgoed Lankheet, a unique water‑management project where the Buurser Beek is naturally filtered through reed basins before flowing downstream. Continuing on, you approach the expansive Haaksbergerveen, one of the largest remaining high‑peat bogs in the Netherlands.

Sightseeing: Mallumse Molen, Landgoed Lankheet, Haaksbergerveen

Pieterpad section 23: Haaksbergen – Enschede (22 km)

The last section of the Trekvogelpad starts at the Buurserzand. Another large high-peat bog where a long wooden boardwalk allows you to cross the wetlands without getting wet feet. The trail continues through beautiful heathlands with open moora and jeneverbes shrubs.

The path then gradually transitions into low heath, woodlands, and finally the recreational Rutbeek lake near Enschede.

Sightseeing: Buurserzand

Accomodation: Little Monkey

Trekvogelpad Trail Traveltips

Trekvogelpad accomodation

When you are going hiking in the Netherlands, accommodation can be a big part of your budget. You can always look on booking.com, but I will discuss some cheaper options below. 

Do note that in some places the choices are limited. I recommend booking things in advance when you can, especially on the weekends. 

Camping: In summer you can of course bring your tent and go camping. Wild camping is not allowed in the Netherlands, but most campings always have space for hikers with a tent. Costs will be around 15-25 euro per day. If you do not have a tent or want a little bit more comfort some campings also have hikers cabins for a reasonable price of 40 – 50 euro’s a night.

Vrienden op de fiets: Vrienden op de fiets is a network of local homes that offer a place to sleep to hikers and cyclists for only 25 euro per night. This is the best way to get to know more about dutch culture. In most cases these are families or couples that have an extra room in their homes. It is like a dutch homestay. You do need to be a member to get the list of homes available.   

Bed and breakfasts: Bed and Breakfast is more commercial than Vrienden op de fiets. They can range from one or two rooms in someone’s home to a more professional small scale hotel. Prices differ a lot. It can be as cheap as 40 euros per night up to 100 euros per night for the more luxurious bed and breakfasts.   

Natuurhuisje: The website natuurhuisje is not necessarily cheaper than booking.com. On the contrary, it can be a bit pricey. However, they have some truly unique accommodation options in the most spectacular nature locations in the Netherlands.

Trekvogelpad food

The cheapest way to eat on the Trekvogelpad trail is by buying groceries in the local supermarket. A typical dutch lunch is a sandwich with cheese, peanut butter or a slice of meat. In a dutch supermarket you will have plenty of choice in different types of breads and things to put on the bread.

Along the Trekvogelpad trail there are plenty of villages with a supermarket as well as cafes and restaurants. Some sections have few places to eat along the way so it is always a good idea to pack some sandwiches for lunch with you

Insider tip: bring some cash with you. On the way are also small tea houses where you can serve yourself some tea, coffee or snacks. They are way cheaper than a restaurant, but in most cases you can only pay with cash. 

Trekvogelpad transport

If you hike the Trekvogelpad sections during weekends it is good to know that most start and endpoints are near a bus stop or train station. In some of the smaller villages public transport is infrequent. Also check if buses go on the weekends. You can check this with google or on 9292 

Trekvogelpad guidebook

NIVON is the dutch organization that maintains the long distance hiking paths in the Netherlands, including the Trekvogelpad trail. They also publish the Trekvogelpad guidebook.

The book is in dutch, but the maps are still very useful even if you can not read dutch. There is lots of interesting background information as well as information about food and accommodation on the way. 

Do you really need the guidebook? If you download the gpx files from wandelnet you could also walk without the guidebook. Furthermore, the path is very well marked with red and white flags

When to hike the Trekvogelpad trail

You can hike the Trekvogelpad trail any time of the year. Even winter has its charms on a cold crispy clear morning. I started hiking the Trekvogelpad in November on a cold, but sunny day.

Another favorite time to go hiking in the Netherlands is springtime when the flowers are blooming. This is also the breeding time for a lot of birds.

Summer brings nice and sunny weather. August is when the heather blooms, turning the heathlands a beautiful purple. This is a great time for the sections through the Veluwe and the heathlands around Hilversum.

My personal favorite time to go hiking in the Netherlands is Autumn with its lovely colors in the trees. This is a great time for the sections through the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.

Disclaimer: This post with a travel guide about Hiking the Trekvogelpad trail in the Netherlands and the best places to go hiking in the Netherlands contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep