In Renswoude, you can choose between a circular walk, a longer historical route with shorter options, and excursions to historic buildings and sites related to the Grebbelinie. The different themes make it easy to tailor your visit to your preferred walking distance and interests.
Walking Routes with Different Themes
The Verkennersroute Renswoude is 14 kilometres long in total. It can be shortened or divided into three smaller routes: the village route is marked in red and is five kilometres long, the countryside route is marked in blue and is also five kilometres long, and the castle route is marked in green and is four kilometres long. You can choose the full route or a shorter option. Along the way, 40 information posts with QR codes provide further information about the surrounding area. The route spans a period of history from the late Stone Age through the Golden Age and the transformation from an agricultural area to industrialisation in the 20th century, up to the present day.
The Breeschoterpad is a six-kilometre circular walking route that starts at De Dennen restaurant and passes through the countryside around Renswoude and Scherpenzeel. The Boswachterspad Grebbelinie also starts at the same restaurant. The two routes therefore share a starting point; their different names and themes can help you choose between them.
The Daatselaarsepad offers another landscape-focused route: it passes through estates and farms, as well as along the Grebbelinie, in the countryside around Renswoude and Scherpenzeel in the Gelderse Vallei.
Castle Park and Architectural History
The park around Kasteel Renswoude is open to everyone free of charge. As access arrangements may change, check them before your visit. The castle itself is open to the public on the first Tuesday of each month by prior appointment. Confirm your appointment before travelling. The main building and both flanking buildings date from 1654 and were built in the Dutch Classical style.
Koepelkerk Renswoude also has distinctive architectural features: it was built in the Renaissance style in the shape of a Greek cross, with a dome resting on pillars, or Ionic columns. Construction lasted until 1641. The dome’s ceiling features eight coats of arms painted in oval medallions.
Grebbelinie and Activities
The Grebbelinie Bezoekerscentrum is located in the Rijksmonument Fort aan de Buursteeg in Renswoude. It serves as a meeting and starting point for exploring the Grebbelinie and is connected to numerous walking and cycling routes. The Grebbelinie presents its more than two centuries of history interactively; features include a trench visitors can walk through and a life-size wooden tank decoy.
Werk aan de Daatselaar is part of the Grebbelinie route. The fortification was intended to block and defend the approaches to the Groeperkade and Slaperdijk, both of which are compartmentalised dikes in the Grebbelinie. If you’re looking for a group activity instead of a walk, you can play Boerengolf on the grounds of a farm at De Voskuilen in Renswoude. It’s suitable for families, friends or groups; booking in advance is recommended.
For the main travel overview: Renswoude.
