From the 60-metre-long boardwalk in the De Scheg marsh forest, you can watch birds. De Scheg is part of De Balij and reveals a distinctive side of the landscape around Pijnacker-Nootdorp. Other discoveries take you to waterways, trails and historic sites, each with its own character.

De Groenzoom is a 450-hectare nature and recreation area between Lansingerland and Pijnacker-Nootdorp, bordering Zoetermeer-Rokkeveen. As a green buffer zone, it lies between the surrounding settlements and connects Midden-Delfland with the Groene Hart. Buytenhout is also an interconnected nature and recreation area. It includes green spaces belonging to the municipalities of Delft, Zoetermeer and Pijnacker-Nootdorp, as well as Staatsbosbeheer.

Nature trails, water and activities

De Groenzoom has walking trails as well as cycling, canoeing and horse-riding routes. Bieslandse Bos brings together woodland, marshland and pasture, with many kilometres of walking and cycling trails. Birdwatchers can watch birds in the Krekengebied and from the Virulypad. GPX files are available for some walking and cycling routes through Buytenhout, making it easier to follow the route.

Wandelbos Laakweg connects Bieslandse Bos with De Balij. It offers space for sport and exercise, including running; by the water and at several benches, you can take a moment to relax. De Balij has a play forest. The adventure trail Kabouterpad for younger children also starts at Stadsboerderij De Balijhoeve, while Bieslandse Bos is home to the Biesbusch play forest.

At Dobbeplas, activities on and by the water take centre stage: you can swim, surf and fish there. The area includes a sandy beach, a water playground and sunbathing lawns for picnics or sunbathing. As a Toeristisch Overstap Punt (TOP), Dobbeplas also offers places to eat, walking and cycling routes, and information boards with maps and details of sights along the routes.

Art and traces of history

There are 15 historic information boards about the history of the municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp. In Pijnacker, historic walks follow self-chosen routes through the streets; along the way, you can use your smartphone to access information about the relevant topics. Several historic walks are also available as PDF files. For public art, there is a walking route in the centre of Pijnacker and a corresponding treasure hunt for children.

Individual buildings also tell the story of the municipality's past. Bieslandse Bovenmolen is a municipal monument; the lower section of its octagonal polder mill's mill base dates originally from 1784. The mill keeps alive the memory of local water-management history in this part of the municipality. The farmhouse complex at Noordeindseweg 42 dates back in its layout to the late 16th century and is one of the oldest within the municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp.

Windlust in Nootdorp is a grain mill that was moved there from Delft in 1885. Built in 1781, the mill was originally an octagonal, thatched bark and snuff mill. Windlust is open to the public; visits are possible by appointment. Be sure to arrange your visit in advance.

Another local perspective can be found at Gravesteyn, an organic dairy farm in the municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp that offers farm-based educational activities. Together with the nature reserves, walking trails and historic sites, it makes for a trip where you can discover different sides of the municipality.

Discover more destinations: Delfgauw, Nootdorp, Pijnacker, Westland, Oostflakkee, Vlist, Ouderkerk, Wassenaar.

For the overview of the wider region: South Holland.