Take a walk in the woods in autumn!
A while ago, we took you to the beach for fine autumn beach walks. Now it’s the forests’ turn! Do you always enjoy those beautiful autumn colors so much? Then join us for a nice forest walk in autumn!
Hiking is hip!
A nice walk in the woods in autumn does everyone good. A twenty-minute walk in the woods has a calming effect, but it is also really healthy. It lowers your blood pressure and strengthens your immune system. This has been scientifically proven. In Japan, it is now a real trend to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the forest. They even have a name for it: Shinrin yoku, which literally means “bathing in the atmosphere of the forest.” In addition, hiking is totally hip! More and more young people prefer hiking to other sports. Hiking is good for your mood, you don’t need tremendous fitness, you have minimal risk of injury and you lose weight too! So put on your hiking boots and head for the woods!
Clingendael
Clingendael is a wooded park in the middle of The Hague. When you walk there you don’t notice at all that you are actually in a big city. Clingendael is actually beautiful all year round, but autumn is really wonderful because of all the beautiful colors and mushrooms! Unfortunately, the Japanese Garden is already closed until spring. This one is definitely worth checking out in both spring and autumn. But Clingendael is also an oasis of tranquility in the busy city. Sonja recently visited Clingendael and wrote a nice blog about it!
Kaapse Bossen
Utrecht is also a great place for hiking. On and around the Utrecht Ridge you will find the Kaapse Bossen. There are a number of walking routes you can take through the woods including a wheelchair route that is also very suitable for baby carriages and baby carriages. The highlight of a walk through the Kaapse Bossen is watchtower De Kaap. This 25 meter high watchtower gives you a great view over the forests. How many autumn colors do you recognize?
The boot path of the Naardermeer
A really fun and adventurous hike is the Naardermeer Boot Trail. This 6.5 kilometer hike is not suitable for ordinary footwear: boots really are a must-have here! This is because the decking path you walk on goes right through swampy swamps! The Naardermeer is a great nature reserve in the middle of an urban area anyway. Last summer we were allowed to go with forester Hanne Tersmette, author of the book #GAAN. We then saw the Naardermeer mainly from the water which is also super fun!
The Veluwezoom
National Park De Hoge Veluwe is of course always beautiful to visit. So is National Park Veluwezoom. Here, too, you can enjoy great diversity when it comes to landscape. Go wildlife spotting on the Elsbrug where red deer are regularly spotted or walk the Schaapskooi Walking Route. At lookout point De Posbank you can enjoy the view and immediately take a break on the stone bench. Last summer we also hiked in the Veluwe. You can read all about it here!
Children and the forest
Children also love the forest! In this day and age, screens dominate the world of children. Especially when it gets colder. But when the weather is dry and cool, it is great to go outside! Looking for pine cones and acorns to tinker with, but children also enjoy running through the fallen leaves. So get them out of their computer screens and into the forest!
Hondsrug in Drenthe
Maybe not quite next door, but definitely worth a visit. For example, during a weekend away in Drenthe! The Hondsrug is a nature reserve where there is plenty to do. The Hondsrug is the name of an area consisting of several nature reserves. For example, you can enjoy National Park the Drentse Aa. You can enjoy hiking here. The Drentse Aa is a special piece of pristine Holland because of the meandering lake that has broken up the area into pieces. The centuries-old Saxon farms that once originated here are still here. Therefore, this is a special experience.
Is a forest hike in autumn also fun for children? Of course, as long as there is something to wander and play with! Children can have fun on the Hondsrug at Speelbos Lorken in Drouwen. Building huts, playing in the mud, climbing trees. It’s all possible here! In addition, children can let their imagination run wild at the dolmens. To complete a day in the woods, there is also a tree-top walkway which allows you to view the area from a completely different perspective. In short, an experience for young and old!
Hansel and Gretel in the Harderbos
For the little ones there is a true adventure in the Harderbos, near the Veluwemeer. For there is the Wandering Forest where children must literally follow the yellow breadcrumbs of Hansel and Gretel. Along the way, look for the ingredients for a real magic potion or witch soup, but beware of the witch! The scavenger hunt ends at the fairytale pancake house Hans and Gretel in Zeewolde where you can eat delicious pancakes and the children can play some more. The pancake house itself is completely geared towards children: for example, the tables move, the doors clatter and secret staircases lead to exciting slides. This way everyone has an unforgettable day!
But the Harderbos also has a lot in store for older children. For example, they can participate in the Adventure Route of just over 5 kilometers. In this route, children follow the footsteps of the beaver. Yes, and beavers love to climb and swim! So do you dare to cross the wobble bridge and the ferry?
Oerrr
Natuurmonumenten wants to encourage everyone to appreciate nature more and enjoy being outdoors. You can’t start early enough! That is why Natuurmonumenten has a special program of fun Oerrr events for children, even in autumn and winter! There is the Oerrr Struinen met de Boswachter in het Herfstbos walk, but you can also do the Oerrr tawny owl and pellets tour. Super fun and educational for all children. Take a quick look at Natuurmonumenten’s agenda to see what’s on offer.
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