Outings and activities in the Green Heart

The Green Heart covers a huge area and there is plenty to do and experience. On land and on water. We went looking for fun outings and activities in the Green Heart – both in the urban area and in the green polders – and this blog is the result. Get inspired and go out in this beautiful and versatile area!

The Green Heart, how big is it anyway?

From Zoetermeer to Montfoort, from Woerden to the Molenlanden and from Vijfheerenlanden to the Ronde Venen. That’s how big the area of the Green Heart is. History, culture, good food and drink, recreation on the water and the Old Dutch water lines – it all belongs to this area. It all doesn’t fit into one blog, but we’re going to do our best!

Outdoor activities

The Green Heart lends itself perfectly to a day spent outdoors. Walking, cycling, horseback riding and boating: it’s all possible. A nice walk to do is the Ooievaarspad. This hike is up to 16 km long, so some hiking experience is recommended. This route starts and ends in the fortified town of Nieuwpoort. Along the way you will pass by Theetuin de Winde in Groot-Ammers where you can take a breather. Do you prefer cycling? Then the Molenroute Alblasserwaard is great fun! This route of 50 km passes many windmills including those of Kinderdijk. Along the way there are plenty of nice places to stop and have a drink.

Horseback riding and boating

You can also explore the Green Heart on horseback. There are several stables to be found but one we certainly didn’t want to withhold from you. At IJslanderij de Sijphoeve in Loosdrecht you can experience a heath ride on an Icelandic horse on request. Some experience is required and riders must be older than 12 years to participate. You can choose a 2 or 4 hour ride. In terms of boating there are many options in the Green Heart. From canoeing in Mijdrecht at Blik op de Wei to one-day or multi-day sailing routes. On the website of Het Groene Hart you will find many options. But a boat trip on the Vinkeveense Plassen is also wonderful on a warm day.

Local products and markets

The Green Heart is known for its cheese, which is why this is a recurring product in this region. In Gouda and Woerden you can do a real Cheese Experience! Besides cheese, other dairy products are also real regional products of the Green Heart. Goat cheese is also an important product from this region. Mooimekkerland in Stolwijk produces goat cheese for export but they also have their own farm store. Smaller scale, but just as tasty, is the goat cheese from Farm ‘t Geertje in Zoeterwoude. Also nice for a day out. You’ll find weekly regional markets in Woerden, Bodegraven and IJsselstein. Woerden and Gouda also have a real cheese market every week (from April to the end of August) and that is also fun to visit!

Activity farms

Many farms in the Green Heart have much more to offer young and old in addition to the regular farm activities. And some farms have made it their business: they are now an activity farm! Super fun for a company outing, team building day or children’s party. Examples of activity farms in the Green Heart are Jeu de Boer, de Boerinn, Poldersport de Kwakel and Avonturenboerderij Molenwaard. In this blog you will find more activity farms, also in other parts of the country.

Nice shopping!

Shopping is certainly also possible in the Green Heart! In Alphen aan den Rijn, Zoetermeer, IJsselstein, Woerden and Gouda you will find wonderful stores where you can shop for hours. And what about Utrecht? Ester found out for you that there is a lot more to do there besides shopping. You can find all her tips in this blog.

Sniffing up culture in the Golden Heart

Discover the history of the Netherlands in Archeon, from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. Super fun and educational for the whole family without being boring for a single moment. The dikes, mills and pumping stations of World Heritage Site Kinderdijk have been keeping our feet dry for 700 years. Go on an exploration by water bus or see the mills from land by car, on foot or by bike. If you are with a group, a guide will be happy to tell you all about the mills and what they do for our country. You can order tickets and packages on their website.

Even more history and culture

Kasteel de Haar is the most beautifully preserved castle in the Netherlands. Look around the impressive halls or take a relaxing walk through the beautiful gardens. Museum de Heksenwaag in Oudewater tells how the scales saved the lives of many “witches” in the old days, and in Leerdam you can completely relax in the Hofje van mevrouw van Aerden. Not to mention the beautiful forts, fortified towns and castles along the Oud-Hollandse Waterlinies. Here you can cycle, walk and sail to your heart’s content.

Photos: www.canva.com