De Ronde Venen encompasses reclaimed peatland and the Vinkeveense Plassen. The Plassen are divided into three lakes. From here, you can explore the landscape by water, on foot or by bike; natural areas and historic buildings also add their own character. The experiences you combine depend entirely on your interests.
Lakes and routes through the polder landscape
A variety of water activities take center stage at the Vinkeveense Plassen: you can take a sloop out, explore submerged legakkers while snorkeling, sail a catamaran or go diving. For a break, you can picnic on one of the twelve sandy islands. Various boats and watercraft are available to rent, including canoes, SUP boards, sailboats and pedal boats. If you are planning a particular activity, check availability with the providers in advance.
You can also discover the area by bike in more than one way. The Fortenfietsroute De Ronde Venen starts in Vinkeveen, uses the cycling junction network and can be ridden in sections. It passes through peat-meadow polders and deep reclaimed areas, by the Vinkeveense Plassen, and along the Amstel, Waver, Winkel and Gein rivers. The Burgemeestersroute is another option: stretching for more than 50 kilometers, it takes you through De Ronde Venen, past picturesque villages and special places. Along the way, you’ll see distinctive buildings and learn interesting facts about former mayors.
Bird habitats and walks
Botshol is a protected bird habitat with peat lakes, narrow ditches, reeds and swamp woodland. Outside the breeding season, you can hike, cycle or canoe there. The approximately 14-kilometer Botsholroute runs along narrow dikes, through reed beds and areas where meadow birds live. As weather and seasonal access can affect route conditions, it is worth checking them before your visit.
Waverhoek borders Botshol and the Vinkeveense Plassen. The 60-hectare bird habitat is open year-round and free to visit; dogs and bicycles are not allowed. A 2.5-kilometer walking trail circles the nature area. When choosing a route, there is a clear difference in length: the loop around Waverhoek is considerably shorter than the approximately 14-kilometer Botsholroute, which is also subject to seasonal restrictions.
Other walking routes focus on different things. The 19-kilometer Bellopad runs between Mijdrecht and Abcoude and passes four former railway stations. Rondje Mijdrecht is also a six-kilometer running course; its main route starts at the town hall. The eighth stage of the Waterliniepad runs from Abcoude to Weesp and is 13.2 kilometers long.
Fort history and local heritage
The Stelling van Amsterdam is a defensive line of ramparts, forts, dikes and locks built between 1880 and 1914. Six of its 43 forts are in the municipality of De Ronde Venen. Fort bij Abcoude was the first fort built along the line; construction took place between 1884 and 1887. You can explore it on foot or take a guided tour to see its unique brick buildings. Check before your trip whether a tour is available.
The history of transport is also tangible at a named site: Spoorhuis Vinkeveen opened on December 1, 1915, as a railway station on the line between Nieuwersluis and Uithoorn. The Poldermuseum focuses on local history and has a large collection of documents and objects. It welcomes visitors by appointment and has no regular opening hours, so arrange your visit in advance.
Discover more destinations: Vinkeveen, Mijdrecht, Abcoude, Baambrugge, De Hoef, Bunnik, Stichtse Vecht, Baarn.
For the regional travel overview: Utrecht.
