Historic country estates and clearly specified walking distances give ’S-Graveland two different ways to explore: you can get to know the area through its country estates and gardens, or choose a route based on its stated distance. There is also an autumn theme in Spanderswoud and contrasting landscapes at Hilverbeek.
Country estates and their history
The history of the ’s-Graveland country estates began in 1625, when a group of wealthy Amsterdam merchants decided to reclaim the area. Ten grand country estates served as summer residences for wealthy merchants in the 17th century. Another specific date concerns Landhuis Boekesteyn: it was built around 1720 for Nicolaes Sautyn. These dates provide a historical framework—1625 marks the decision to reclaim the land, while around 1720 marks the construction of Boekesteyn.
The individual estates also have distinct architectural features. The grand manor house at Schaep en Burgh has an orangery and a coach house; behind the house are a pond and an island. Impressive avenues of beech and oak trees run through the estate. At Hilverbeek, a walking route passes the Stofbergen farmhouse, which dates from 1636. This makes it possible to combine a walk there with a specific historic building, while Schaep en Burgh offers a different insight into country-estate architecture, with its manor house, outbuildings and gardens.
Walking routes by distance
In Spanderswoud, you can choose between two yellow-marked walking routes. The Wandelroute ’s-Gravelandse Buitenplaatsen is listed as 5, 10 or 17 kilometres; the Wandelroute Hilverbeek en Spanderswoud is 3 kilometres long. This gives you a choice between a shorter route and several longer options. If you are looking for specific sights rather than choosing by distance, Jagtlust has the short walking route “Het rondje van Six,” which passes the manor house, the “twelve apostles,” a dolmen, a grotto and a walled kitchen garden.
The TOP ’s-Gravelandse Buitenplaatsen offers numerous marked walking routes. There is a clear time restriction for walking in the park forest around Buitenplaats Boekesteyn: it is permitted from sunrise to sunset. The Bezoekerscentrum Gooi en Vechtstreek runs excursions, workshops and activities for children at Boekesteyn and the other ’s-Graveland country estates.
Gardens, forest and meadows
The “Hoogtepunten van Siertuin Gooilust” walk takes you through a walled garden dating from 1823. More than 900 species of exotic trees, shrubs and plants grow there. Gooilust is also a nature area with exotic trees and plants. Spanderswoud estate features a mix of different garden styles; its forest is especially rich in mushrooms in autumn. At Hilverbeek, open meadows meet dense woodland. Each of these differences gives the landscape a distinct focus: gardens at Gooilust and Spanderswoud, and meadows and woodland at Hilverbeek.
A longer tour in the region
In the wider travel area, the Vechtplassen form a water-rich lowland peatland area of more than 3,000 hectares, made up of several natural areas. A 35-kilometre cycling route from ’S-Graveland runs through this area. It offers a broader regional perspective than the walking routes described above and is another way to explore the area by bike.
To choose, you can first weigh up the activity and distance you want: a short loop, a marked walking route with several distance options, or a longer bike ride through the wider area. The historic sights, walled garden and seasonal feature in Spanderswoud each offer a different focus.
Discover more destinations: Nieuw-Loosdrecht, Oud-Loosdrecht, Breukeleveen, Nederhorst Den Berg, Loosdrecht, Ankeveen, Kortenhoef.
Go to the main travel overview: Wijdemeren.
