NL
Walking from hut to hut offers a unique way to explore nature up close without having to carry a heavy rucksack every day. In the Netherlands and Belgium the network of hut routes has grown in recent years, with options ranging from off-grid cabins to comfortable hikers’ huts. The challenge lies in the preparation: booking, making reservations and choosing between the many alternatives calls for a well thought-out approach. That way you ensure your walking holiday runs smoothly.
The popularity of multi-day hut-to-hut treks is increasing, especially among travellers who consciously choose an active holiday without flying. Routes such as the Drenthepad, the Veluwe and Belgian walking networks offer a range of overnight options. Availability and booking systems differ per route and region. Good planning in advance prevents disappointment and ensures you don’t end up without a place to sleep.
What types of overnight stays are there on hut routes?
The Netherlands has various types of accommodation for multi-day walking routes. Your choice depends on how much comfort you want, your budget and how intensely you want to experience nature.
Off-grid cabins
Off-grid cabins are huts that can only be reached on foot and often have no electricity or running water. This form of overnight stay is offered by organisations such as Cabiner, which runs routes in De Drentsche Aa National Park, Hosterwold and other nature reserves. The huts are located in remote spots, far from inhabited areas, and are designed to give you an undisturbed nature experience. You sleep with views over forest, heath or grassland and experience sunrise and sunset in complete tranquillity.
These huts are suitable for people who are fine with minimal comfort and are looking for an authentic experience. The number of cabins per route is limited, which makes booking in advance essential.
Hikers’ huts
Hikers’ huts are simple wooden cabins with basic facilities such as fixed bunks or sleeping platforms, sometimes with a stove or picnic table. They are often located on campsites or nature sites and are slightly more accessible than off-grid cabins. The Vechtdal, for example, has a three-day route with hikers’ huts from Hardenberg to Dalfsen. These huts are strategically located along the route and are often also accessible by bike.
Hikers’ huts combine the outdoor experience with practical convenience. They are suitable for walkers who don’t want to go completely off the grid, but still want simple, no-frills accommodation.
Campsites and hostels
For those who want more comfort, campsites and youth hostels are good alternatives. Many multi-day routes, such as the Pilgrimspad or the Edelherttrail, pass places with standard accommodation. Campsites give you the option of walking with a lightweight tent or using fixed accommodation such as safari tents. Hostels and B&Bs along the route are suitable for walkers who arrange luggage transport and want to travel light.
These options require less advance planning because there are usually more beds available. You will, however, generally pay more than for a hikers’ hut or cabin.
‘ The cabins are popular and get fully booked quickly. ’
How do you book huts for a walking route in Drenthe?
For routes in Drenthe, particularly the Cabiner routes in De Drentsche Aa National Park, booking is done via the Cabiner website. You choose a route and select available dates. The eight-day trek through the Heart of Drenthe is the best-known option and includes eight off-grid cabins spread over 5,000 hectares of natural landscape. Each cabin is booked separately, and the system immediately shows what is available.
Book well in advance, especially for the high season between April and October. The cabins are popular and get fully booked quickly. When you book you receive detailed GPS coordinates and route descriptions, as the huts are not visible from the larger paths. You also receive information about what you need to bring yourself, such as a sleeping bag, cooking gear and food.
Bear in mind that you need to be self-sufficient. There are no shops in the immediate vicinity of the cabins, so plan your shopping beforehand.
What are the best overnight options on Belgian walking networks?
Belgium has an extensive network of long-distance walking paths, such as the Streek-GR routes. These routes are, however, less focused on hut-to-hut trekking and more on overnight stays in villages and small towns along the way. Hikers’ huts in the Dutch sense of the word are scarce.
Walkers doing multi-day treks in Belgium often sleep at campsites, youth hostels or B&Bs. Organisations such as Wandelnet België and local tourist information offices provide details on accommodation along the routes. Some campsites have hikers’ huts or bungalow tents that walkers can rent.
Booking ahead is recommended, especially in the summer months and at weekends. Belgian hostels and accommodation providers often use flexible booking systems via phone or email. Always check whether the accommodation welcomes walkers and not only guests arriving by car.
Do you need to book huts on the Veluwe in advance?
On the Veluwe there are various walking routes, including the Edelherttrail that passes through this nature reserve. There are fewer huts in the strict sense of the word, but there are campsites and small accommodations. For routes that cross Veluwezoom National Park, there are no off-grid cabins as there are in Drenthe. However, there are campsites with hikers’ huts near places such as Arnhem, Apeldoorn and Harderwijk.
Booking in advance is sensible, especially during popular periods such as the heather season in August and September. The Veluwe attracts many walkers and cyclists, which means that accommodation fills up quickly. Some campsites use a first-come-first-served policy for hikers’ huts, but that is risky if you have a tight schedule.
When booking, check whether the hikers’ hut is accessible on foot and whether there are facilities such as toilets, showers and running water. The Veluwe also has remote nature campsites where wild camping is permitted under certain conditions, but this requires a permit.
‘ This option is more expensive but offers more comfort and facilities. ’
Costs of overnight stays in huts
The price of a night in a hut varies widely. Off-grid cabins via Cabiner cost on average between 50 and 100 euros per night for the entire cabin, depending on the capacity and the season. That is attractive if you are travelling with two to four people.
Hikers’ huts on campsites are cheaper and usually cost between 20 and 50 euros per person per night. These huts are more basic and offer less privacy. Campsites sometimes charge extra for showers, tourist tax or the use of facilities.
Youth hostels and B&Bs along walking routes charge between 30 and 70 euros per person per night, breakfast included. This option is more expensive but offers more comfort and facilities.
Booking systems and practical tips
Every booking system works differently, depending on the provider. Cabiner uses an online platform where you can book directly. Hikers’ huts on campsites are often booked via the campsite’s own website or by phone. Hostels and B&Bs can be found via platforms such as Booking.com or local tourist websites.
Plan your route in advance and look at the distances between overnight stops. Many routes have stages of 15 to 25 kilometres, but this can vary. Take into account your own fitness and the time you need to walk comfortably.
Always check the cancellation policy. Off-grid cabins often have stricter cancellation terms than campsites or hostels. Take out travel cancellation insurance if you are unsure about your plans.
Some routes offer luggage transport, where your rucksack is taken from hut to hut. That makes walking lighter and more enjoyable, especially on longer treks. Specialist travel companies offer complete packages including route descriptions, accommodation and luggage transport.
Alternatives when hut routes are fully booked
If huts are not available or don’t fit within your budget, there are alternatives. Camping with a lightweight tent is an option on many nature campsites and regular campsites along walking routes. This gives you flexibility and is cheaper than fixed huts.
Hotels and guesthouses in villages along the route are suitable for those looking for more comfort. They are more expensive, but offer showers, Wi-Fi and often a generous breakfast. This suits walkers who want to be active during the day and relax in the evening.
Some walkers combine hut-to-hut trekking with camping nights. That way you can spend some nights in an off-grid cabin and other nights on a campsite, depending on availability and budget.
‘ “Whether you’re planning your first multi-day trek or want to build on your experience, there is useful information available for every level and preference.” ’
Discover more on Traveler Tips
Hut routes are just one aspect of a well-planned walking holiday. On the Traveler Tips website you will find extensive information about routes, preparation, gear and the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands and Belgium. Whether you’re planning your first multi-day trek or want to build on your experience, there is useful information available for every level and preference. Discover more and plan your next walking holiday with reliable, practical tips.
Frequently asked questions
Start by honestly assessing your fitness and experience: how many kilometres and metres of ascent can you comfortably walk in a day now, and can you keep that up for several days in a row? Compare that with the daily distances and the terrain on the hut route (flat, rolling, lots of sand, technical paths) and choose something slightly below your maximum ability rather than right on the limit. Then think about the kind of experience you want: basic and off-grid, or a bit more comfortable with extra facilities and social contact in larger huts or hikers’ huts. Finally, read recent experiences from other walkers and, if in doubt, start with a shorter or easier route so you can discover what suits you best.
Plan your trip so that both the starting and end point are easy to reach by public transport (train stations or bus stops), or arrange one car at the start and one at the end so you can shuttle each other. Ask the hut operator or walking holiday provider in advance about options for luggage transfer between huts, so that you only have to walk with a daypack. If luggage transport is not available, you can often store a suitcase or bag for a fee at the starting point (for example at a hotel, campsite or bike rental). Check the exact locations of the start and end point beforehand and coordinate your transport and luggage plan accordingly.
Book huts well in advance via official websites or reputable providers, pay attention to cancellation terms and what facilities are available (beds, cooking facilities, water, heating). Check for each hut whether you need to bring your own sleeping bag, sleeping liner, towel and cooking gear and make a packing list with basic items such as a first-aid kit, power bank and enough layers of clothing. Plan your daily stages realistically in terms of distance and ascent, so that you arrive well before dark and still have time to cook and recover. Always take extra food, water and a paper map or offline route with you in case of problems or detours.
Decide roughly how much you want to eat per day (breakfast, snacks, lunch, hot meal) and take enough lightweight, high-energy food such as nuts, dried fruit, energy bars and instant meals so you are not completely dependent on the limited stock in huts or cabins. Check in advance which facilities are available (drinking water, cooking options, meals for sale) so you know exactly what you need to add. Drink small amounts of water regularly throughout the day and refill your supply wherever possible; consider taking a water filter if sources are not always reliable. Adjust your intake to your effort and personal needs (for example more salt if you sweat a lot, extra carbohydrates on long stages) and, ideally, test all this during training walks.
Yes, there are alternatives such as off-grid cabins (for example Cabiner) and modern hikers’ huts, which often provide more comfort and privacy than traditional huts. First choose your preferred region and type of route (for example Drenthe or the Vechtdal) and check which accommodations lie on or close to the route. Book your cabins or modern huts well in advance and adjust your daily distances to the locations of these overnight stops. Use guidebooks or apps from providers or tour operators to tailor your walking stages precisely to your booked accommodation.
