Wijdemeren alternates between water, reeds, woodland and cultural heritage. The Loosdrechtse Plassen are defined by lakes and waterways, while peat-cutting pits, narrow ditches and islands form a wetland in the Ankeveense Plassen. There are also country houses, historic gardens and traces of the work people did to control the water. Nature and history therefore lead through a wide variety of landscapes.
Lakes, reeds and waterways
The Loosdrechtse Plassen include the lakes around Loosdrecht, including Wijde Blik, Vuntus, Loenderveense Plas and Breukeleveense Plas. Herb-rich meadows lie along the Weersloot. The lakes and their shores are suitable for water sports, canoeing, walking and cycling. One specific canoe trip follows the 4.8-kilometre Vuntus route through lakes and ditches, meadows and reed beds, ending in swamp forests. The varied landscape gives the route its distinctive character.
The Fietsboot also operates on the Loosdrechtse Plassen. It is accessible not only to cyclists but also to walkers and people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Check the accessibility rules before travelling; services may vary by season. There are five public recreation islands on the Wijde Blik, where boats may moor for up to three periods of 24 hours. Jetties and landing harbours can also be found on the recreation islands elsewhere in the lake district. As mooring rules may change, it is worth checking the current regulations.
Explore wetlands on foot and by canoe
The Ankeveense Plassen form a labyrinth of peat-cutting pits, narrow waterways, islands and open water. The area is a refuge for many reed, water and marsh birds. To protect the flora, fauna and water quality, recreational boat traffic is prohibited there. A walking route of about 11 kilometres passes through this water-rich landscape and offers opportunities for birdwatching. Most of it is unpaved and can become very muddy after rain. Alternatively, you can explore the lakes with a guide from Natuurmonumenten; check the local events calendar for details.
The Kortenhoefse Plassen also tell the story of how people used the water: peat extraction shaped the landscape, and legakkers (narrow strips of land left between peat-cutting areas) and peat-cutting pits are still visible today. The canoe route there takes about three hours. Blue arrows and yellow signs with black numbers mark the way; before setting off, check that the route markers and access conditions are suitable. When the ice is thick enough, visitors can also explore the lakes on skates.
There are other specific options for walks: a nine-kilometre route follows the old Oppad church path and the Kromme Rade between ’s-Graveland and Kortenhoef. Wijdemeren also has numerous walking and cycling routes. In Nederhorst den Berg, a pedestrian and bicycle ferry connects the village with Nigtevecht; its service may vary by season or change, so it is advisable to check the timetable.
Gardens, country houses and water management
The country estates of ’s-Graveland preserve 400 years of garden history. Stately country houses, gardens and parkland sit within a varied landscape, and a 17-kilometre walking route passes through ten of the estates. Trompenburgh offers a distinctive combination of architecture and garden: the house and formal garden were designed as a unified ensemble and are considered an exceptional example of 17th-century garden culture. The country house was the residence of Admiral Cornelis Tromp; its design was inspired by the shape of a ship. Trompenburgh is one of the best-preserved 17th-century houses in the Netherlands. The estate is not freely accessible, but it occasionally opens, for example on Heritage Open Days or for guided tours. You can walk or cycle along the outside of the estate. Check in advance for possible opening dates.
At Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn, you will find portraits of ancestors, plenty of Loosdrecht porcelain, furniture, glassware, sculptures, 18th-century clocks and an armoury. The collections on display may change. The historic garden reflects old Dutch garden architecture; 35 species of stinzen plants bloom there in early spring. Fort Kijkuit, a fort in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, offers a different chapter in the history of construction. The powder house contains an information point, and there is also a viewpoint and an accessible fort site. Picnic tables and a landing place for boats round out the site; check access to individual buildings before visiting.
Windmills and local history
Molen Gabriël is the only surviving windmill in Kortenhoef and a landmark in the Vechtplassen landscape. Historically, it worked with two other windmills to keep Kortenhoef dry. Water-management history can also be traced near Nederhorst den Berg: the polder mill drained the Stichts-Ankeveensepolder, an area of about 473 hectares. Dorpzicht, built around 1630 and considered the oldest farmhouse in Nederhorst den Berg, originally served as a bakery for people from Hinderdam and passing boatmen. The O.L. Vrouw Hemelvaart church on Dammerweg was inaugurated in 1890.
A seasonal discovery is Pluktuinderij Aardbei & Zo in Nederhorst den Berg. There you can pick unsprayed strawberries, herbs, vegetables and fruit yourself; you can pay for the produce in the farm shop. Check what is currently available before travelling. Wijdemeren is revealed not only through its lakes and historic estates, but also through experiences shaped by the changing seasons.
Discover more destinations
Nieuw-Loosdrecht, Oud-Loosdrecht, Loosdrecht, ’S-Graveland, Nederhorst Den Berg, Kortenhoef, Ankeveen, Breukeleveen
For the main travel overview: North Holland.
