In Oegstgeest, a variety of discoveries sit side by side: walking trails through country estates, a woodland park, and historic churches and buildings. When planning a stay, practical differences such as trail surfaces, route formats and distances can help. This makes it easier to choose based on whether nature, walks or architectural history is the main focus.
Country Estates, Woodland Park and Trail Surfaces
The Oud-Poelgeest estate comprises five listed monuments. Walking trails pass through woods, past ponds and monumental buildings. The landscape and historic architecture can thus be experienced together along the trails.
Rhijngeest is an eight-hectare woodland park with a diverse range of plants, trees and birds. In autumn, there are more than a hundred species of mushrooms. The season adds another aspect of nature to consider when planning: as well as trees and birds, mushrooms can draw your attention to the park. The paths are unpaved and can become muddy after rain.
Many paths on the Endegeest estate are paved and easily accessible by wheelchair or stroller. This contrasts with Rhijngeest, where the paths are unpaved and can become muddy after rain, which is useful to bear in mind when choosing a route. The information highlights the different conditions at the two estates.
Walking and Cycling Routes
A free downloadable walk is two kilometres long and explores the Endegeest and Rhijngeest estates. It is a specific option if you are looking for a route with a stated distance. The route information does not indicate the surface of each individual section; the conditions at Endegeest and Rhijngeest therefore remain important when making your choice.
Oegstgeest also has several informative walking and cycling routes for residents and visitors. The Boerhaave cycling and walking route is available at Kasteel Oud-Poelgeest. This means that, alongside walking-only routes, you can also choose an option that combines cycling and walking.
The Oegstgeester Ommetjes comprise nine short circular walks in and around Oegstgeest. They are part of the Bollenstreek walking junction network; walking junctions can be used throughout the municipality. When comparing the options, you can choose between a route with a set distance, a cycling and walking route, or several short circular walks.
Discover Churches and Architecture
A small church stood on the site of today’s Groene Kerk in the 9th century. The present-day church is a single-aisled cruciform church based on a 15th-century Gothic design. Different historical periods thus come together at this church site. The Groene Kerk was one of the first churches in the County of Holland.
Architecture enthusiasts will also find points of interest in and around Oegstgeest: you can discover a selection of buildings designed by architect H.J. Jesse. The Groene Kerk and the Jesse buildings offer two different ways to explore architectural history—from an early church site and its later form to the designs of an architect.
For the main travel overview: Oegstgeest.
