NL
The best NS walks for train travellers in the Netherlands offer a perfect combination of comfortable travel and nature that is immediately accessible. You step off the train and start straight away on a well-waymarked route through some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. Read on to discover how to plan your ideal hike and which routes you really shouldn’t miss.
What are NS walks?
An NS walk is a walking route designed to go from one railway station to another. These routes, developed by Wandelnet in cooperation with NS, make it easy to plan a day out in nature without relying on a car. With clear waymarking and available route descriptions, maps and GPX files, these walks are accessible for both beginner and experienced hikers. The network includes more than 45 routes spread across the Netherlands, varying in length and landscape.
‘ A charged phone and a power bank are essential, especially if you use it for navigation. ’
How do I plan a day of walking by train?
A successful day hike starts with good preparation. Because you are travelling by train, you are flexible, but a well thought-out plan ensures a relaxed experience. Follow these steps for smooth planning:
- Choose your route. Decide what type of landscape you prefer. Do you want to walk through forests, over heathland or along the water? Also take into account the distance and difficulty of the walk. Many NS walks have shorter and longer variants.
- Download the route information. Go to the Wandelnet website and download the most up-to-date route description, a map and the GPX track for your navigation app or hiking GPS. Also check for any route changes here, for example due to works or the bird breeding season.
- Check the train times. Plan your journey with a journey planner. Look not only at the outward journey, but also at the options for travelling back from the end station. That way you won’t be in for any surprises.
- Pack smart. Make sure you have good walking shoes, clothing suitable for the weather forecast, enough water and something to eat on the way. A charged phone and a power bank are essential, especially if you use it for navigation.
Recommended NS walks
Although there are dozens of routes, a few stand out because of their popularity and varied nature. Below we highlight some of the most beautiful NS walks that start directly from the station.
Veluwezoom: hills and heathland
The walk through Veluwezoom National Park is one of the most popular routes, and with good reason. Here you walk through extensive forests and over the well-known hills of the Posbank, with sweeping views over the heathland. The route is hilly, which makes it good training.
- Starting station: Dieren
- End station: Rheden (11 km) or Velp (15 km)
- Highlights: De Onzalige Bossen, the heath on the Posbank and the Zijpenberg. In late spring you can enjoy the fresh green forests and in late summer the purple heathland
NS walk Veluwezoom for beginners
For anyone who finds the full 15 kilometres too long, the shorter variant of the Veluwezoom NS walk is an excellent choice. By choosing Rheden station as your end point, you shorten the route to 11 kilometres. This distance is manageable for most beginner hikers and you still experience the most beautiful parts of the national park, including the Posbank. The paths are well maintained by the managers and the waymarking is clear, so you can enjoy the surroundings without worries.
Kampina: pools and Brabant forests
Between Boxtel and Oisterwijk lies the beautiful Kampina nature reserve. This walk takes you along unpaved paths past heathland, countless pools and through dense forests. There is a good chance you will come across grazing cattle or sheep that help to maintain the landscape. The route is mostly flat and therefore suitable for a wide range of walkers.
- Starting station: Boxtel
- End station: Oisterwijk
- Distance: 18 km
- Highlights: The tranquillity of the Kampina heath, the mirror-like pools and the pleasant end point of Oisterwijk, where you can round off the day on a terrace
Utrechtse Heuvelrug: country estates and forests
The Utrechtse Heuvelrug is another favourite hiking area. This NS walk combines gently rolling woodland with the splendour of old country estates. In spring this area is at its very best, when the woodland flora emerges and the birds are in full song. The route offers a pleasant alternation between broad beech avenues and narrow forest paths.
- Starting station: Driebergen-Zeist
- End station: Maarn
- Distance: 8 or 15 km
- Highlights: The stately country estates, the variety in the forest landscape and the tangible tranquillity just a short distance from the Randstad conurbation
These NS walks are a starting point for your journey of discovery through the Netherlands. On the Traveler Tips website you will find more inspiration for travelling by train, practical guides for planning your routes and tips for the most beautiful destinations. Discover more and prepare for your next trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Utrechtse Heuvelrug NS walk offers rolling forests and magnificent country estates, while Kampina takes you along heathland, pools and welcoming cafés and restaurants in Oisterwijk. For a unique spring experience, the Blossom Route ‘Tussen Lek en Linge’ is an absolute must, with its enchanting apple blossom. In addition, routes such as the Floris V Path combine beautiful landscapes with interesting historical elements for an unforgettable experience.
NS walks are ideal in terms of accessibility, as starting and end points always connect to train services and many routes offer shorter and longer variants for different levels. The Utrechtse Heuvelrug and Veluwezoom are good examples of this, with various distances. Facilities can be found along the way; for example, the Kampina route ends in Oisterwijk, which is known for its many restaurants and cafés.
Plan an NS walk smartly by taking into account the length and availability of shorter variants, connections to public transport and seasonal recommendations, such as the blossom route in April. Avoid the crowds by skipping popular routes at peak times and look for walks that offer specific types of landscape, such as forest, town, beach or dunes. Overnight stays are generally not needed, as the walks are ideal for day trips and connect well to train services.
The Kampina, Warnsborn, Gein en Vecht and Kennemerduinen NS walks are lesser-known gems that offer a special adventure. Kampina is known for its unpaved forest paths, heathland and pools. Warnsborn offers beautiful nature in the southern Veluwe, while Gein en Vecht, a newcomer to the top 10, is becoming increasingly popular. Finally, the Kennemerduinen offer a dynamic coastal and dune landscape.
