Driehuis can be explored from various starting points and along different types of trails: marked circular walks in the Midden-Kennemerland walking network start at the railway station, while the IJmondpad starts at Berkenbos. There is also a green-marked route via Beeckestijn, an entrance to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park in Driehuis, and historic buildings. This lets you distinguish between routes by starting point, type of trail and— in the case of the Velserpad—also by the stated distance.
Walks from the railway station and Berkenbos
Marked circular walks in the Midden-Kennemerland walking network start at Driehuis railway station. A green-marked walking route from this station passes through the Beeckestijn estate, with its beautiful manor house. The IJmondpad starts at Berkenbos in Driehuis; the 30 km-long Velserpad passes through Driehuis. These routes have different reference points: the railway station is the starting point for marked circular walks, Berkenbos is the starting point for the IJmondpad, and a named 30 km route passes through the town. These details give you different points of reference when choosing between a circular walk, a trail with its own starting point and a route with a stated distance.
Westerveld: Cemetery and Landscape
Westerveld Cemetery was founded in 1888 and is one of the oldest private cemeteries in the Netherlands still in use. Its oldest section opened in 1890, so the two dates refer to different stages in its development. The oldest section was laid out in the English landscape style. Zocher made use of the natural undulations of the dune area. The cemetery is set in a wooded dune area and has a hilly character.
A walk through the cemetery takes you past the final resting places of notable figures such as Anthony Fokker, Multatuli, Aletta Jacobs and Hendrik Petrus Berlage. The grounds’ design and the names of those buried here offer different ways to explore Westerveld’s history: through the layout itself and through the notable figures associated with the cemetery.
The History of Driehuis’s Buildings
The Roman Catholic Sint-Engelmunduskerk in Driehuis was built in 1893 to a design by architect A. Bruning. The Westerveld farmstead dates from a much earlier period: it originally dates back to the 16th century and still stands on Driehuizerkerkweg. The dates therefore span the farmstead’s origins and the church’s construction in 1893, representing two distinct historical periods.
Nature Destinations and Cycling Route
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park has an entrance in Driehuis. Midden-Herenduin in Driehuis is open to visitors in this part of the national park between sunrise and sunset; dogs are not allowed. As access rules may change seasonally, check the current information before visiting.
The 28 km-long Kennemerduinen cycling route passes through Driehuis to the entrance to Heerenduinen in IJmuiden. Along the route, cyclists can spot fallow deer, roe deer, Scottish Highland cattle and Konik horses. The Velserpad, by contrast, is a 30 km-long walking route through Driehuis. The distances therefore refer to different activities: 28 km for a cycling route and 30 km for a walking route. You can start choosing by deciding whether you want to explore a route by bike or on foot.
Coffee and Lunch
Petit Café Westerveld is next to the main entrance to Westerveld Cemetery. It welcomes bereaved families, walkers and cyclists for coffee or lunch and is open daily.
Discover more destinations: Velsen-Zuid, Ijmuiden, Velsen-Noord, Santpoort-Noord
Go to the main travel overview: Velsen.
