Cycling routes on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug

Cycling routes on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug

Cycling on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug is a fantastic way to discover this special landscape. Forests, heathlands, sand drifts, estates and castles all pass by on the bike. Below you will find five recommended routes, ranging from short to long, each with its own character and sights.

1. Beauforthuis Café & Theater – Treekerweg Climb circuit from Austerlitz (about 19.2 km)

This route is perfect for anyone who wants to combine nature, tranquility and a bit of challenge. It is an easy bike ride and suitable for every fitness level. You start in Austerlitz, a village in the middle of the Heuvelrug, and cycle through a varied landscape toward the Beauforthuis: an atmospheric café and small theater hidden in the forest. 

The route follows the Treekerweg, a beautiful long forest and heath path known for its peaceful atmosphere and gentle elevation changes. An ideal stretch for cyclists who want to experience the hilly feel of the Heuvelrug without too much effort.

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Highlights include the extensive forests, the open landscape of the Den Treek-Henschoten estate and, of course, the Beauforthuis itself, where you can take an excellent break.

2. Discover the traces on the Heuvelrug – Utrecht (about 60 km)

The cycling route Discover the traces on the Heuvelrug is a varied ride of about 59 kilometers that takes you past some of the most beautiful and most historic places on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. It is a route that perfectly combines nature, culture and history. 

You start on the edge of Utrecht and soon cycle into the National Park, where the bustle gives way to peace and greenery. The route lets you experience the transitions in the landscape: from the lower-lying land around Utrecht to the higher sandy soils of the Heuvelrug.

Along the way, you pass numerous special places, including Huis Doorn, a monumental country house best known as the residence of the German emperor Wilhelm II. Great fun to stop briefly for a short walk through the park or a look inside the museum.

After that, you cycle on to the center of Amerongen, a historic village with old streets, charming squares and views of the beautiful Amerongen Castle. This village breathes history and is one of the most atmospheric places on the entire route.

The route then takes you through the Amerongse Berg Forestry, one of the most beloved nature areas of the Heuvelrug. The gentle elevation changes, tall pines and wide paths make this a beautiful section for cycling. It is also an area where you can regularly encounter deer and birds of prey.

A special part of the route is the Let de Stigterpad, a long cycle path that runs through Woudenberg toward the Hoogstraat. This path is popular with cyclists because of its tranquility, long green sightlines and varied landscape of forest, heath and open fields.

Just before you continue back toward Utrecht, you pass the Bornia sand drift, a unique piece of the Heuvelrug where the landscape suddenly changes into open sand, gnarled pines and drifting dunes. This area perfectly shows how varied the Heuvelrug is and is an ideal place to get off for a moment and look around.

The route is not difficult, but because of its length and gentle undulation it is ideal for sporty cyclists. The constant alternation of landscape, from historic villages and old estates to quiet forests and open sand, makes this ride one of the most varied routes in the region.

Highlights of the route

• Historic site around Huis Doorn
• Atmospheric center of Amerongen
• Nature of the Amerongse Berg Forestry
• Quiet and green Let de Stigterpad route
• The special sand drift of Bornia
• Beautiful combination of nature, culture and history
• Perfect day route with lots of variety

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Tips for along the way

Bring enough drinks and snacks, because some parts of the route are wonderfully quiet and remote. Want to take a break? Amerongen and Doorn are perfect places for coffee or lunch. Binoculars are also a nice addition: the chance of seeing wildlife is high.

3. From Slot Zeist to Soesterberg Air Base (about 31 km)

This route is a wonderful combination of culture, history and calming nature. You start at the imposing Slot Zeist, a 17th-century country estate ensemble with beautiful gardens and a rich history. During this route, you pass various special places that are definitely worth stopping for. Among other things, you pass TOP ’t Jagershuys, a popular starting point in the middle of the forest, where you immediately notice how green the Utrechtse Heuvelrug is. Next, you cycle past the atmospheric Kasteel Kerckebosch, a beautiful historic castle with a rich history and a characteristic location in the greenery.

You also pass Hotel Theater Figi, an icon in Zeist where culture and hospitality come together. Not much later, you reach Slot Zeist, one of the most beautiful country estates in the Netherlands with a splendid driveway, symmetrical gardens and impressive architecture. Here you will also find TOP Slot Zeist, an official starting point for walking and cycling routes, where many cyclists begin or end their trip.

Further along the route, you cycle past restaurant HFSLG (De Hoefslag), a stylish and well-known hospitality venue beautifully hidden in the wooded area near Bosch en Duin. Ideal for a coffee break, lunch or something tasty along the way.

At the end of the route, you reach TOP Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg, the access point to the former air base where nature, tranquility and history come together. The combination of military history, open plains and rugged nature makes this place unique. At quiet moments, you can even spot deer or foxes here. From here, you can continue on foot or by bike to discover the special open landscape of the air base.

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Along the way, you cycle over quiet forest paths and avenues that lead you through the varied landscape. The route is not difficult, but offers plenty of variety thanks to gentle elevation changes and variation in the landscape.

Tip: Plan a break at an estate or café near Zeist. At the air base you can explore part of it on foot (outside the breeding season) for an extra special experience.

4. Children’s route Baarn (about 13.7 km)

This short, accessible route in the Baarn area is ideal for families with children. The paths are quiet, clear and largely low-traffic, allowing you to cycle in a relaxed way. You ride through wooded sections, open heath and occasionally along bodies of water.

Along the way, there are plenty of places where children can play, take a break or discover nature. You pass play areas, picnic fields and places where you can get off for a short walk or nature activity. The route is just long enough for a pleasant afternoon, without becoming too tiring for young cyclists.

This ride gives children the chance to experience the forest up close and is perfect to combine with a visit to a local ice cream shop, playground or hospitality venue in Baarn or Lage Vuursche.

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Highlights: Forest and heath, safe cycle paths, child-friendly stopping places
Tip: Bring a blanket and something tasty for a mini picnic along the way.

5. Soest: from high to low (about 24 km)

This route beautifully lets you experience how the Utrechtse Heuvelrug descends from high to low. You start at Soesterberg, on the higher part of the Heuvelrug. From here, you gradually descend toward Soest, while the landscape keeps changing.

You cycle through wooded areas, along broad avenues and over quiet paths. One of the highlights is the passage along the Soester Duinen: a unique drifting-sand area where open sand plains and rugged pines alternate. It is a stunning landscape that you will not encounter in many other places in the Netherlands.

The route is ideal for anyone looking for a varied bike ride with gentle elevation changes, beautiful nature and special views. The combination of forest and sand makes this ride especially appealing, particularly on sunny days.

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