As true local know-it-alls, we have of course already tested this route for you. This walk takes you from Maarn station to Driebergen station. And believe us: you will be surprised by something special along the way. Let's go!
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Practical information
- The route is approximately 15 kilometres long
- We start at Maarn station and end at Driebergen-Zeist station
- Almost the entire route is on unpaved forest and sand paths
- Also suitable for children
- There are a number of places to eat and drink along the way
- Coming by car? You can park at Q-park P+R at Driebergen-Zeist station
De Utrechtse
Heuvelrug
What to expect?
The Utrechtse Heuvelrug is a paradise for walkers. Forests, heathland, rivers, lakes, sand drifts and peat bogs alternate as if it were a nature documentary!
Why visit the Utrechtse Heuvelrug?
- The Utrechtse Heuvelrug is centrally located in the Netherlands and easily accessible by car and public transport. It is the perfect escape if you are ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- The park covers no less than 10,000 hectares and could even be four times larger in the future. There are ambitious plans to turn the entire Heuvelrug into one large contiguous National Park.
- The nature reserve is home to more than a hundred species of birds and many other large and small forest dwellers.
Walk with us!
We will take our walk in the southern part of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, which has had official status as a National Park since 2003. Highlights of the route:
Starting point: Maarn station
Five minutes ago we were still on the train, and now we're already surrounded by unspoilt nature. Along the Pyramid of Austerlitz, known among keen walkers as a beautiful walk where you're sure to discover some of the highlights of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Den Treek Henschoten estate
We cross a road and arrive at Huize 't Stort, a stately villa with an enviable garden. These types of country estates are typical of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Wealthy city dwellers once built their luxurious homes here to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
A little further on, you come to a crossroads of forest paths, after which we enter the Den Treek Henschoten estate.
The famous Pyramid
of Austerlitz
The highlight of your walk
After six kilometres, we reach the highlight of the route: the famous Pyramid of Austerlitz. A 40-metre-wide sand hill, covered with grass and crowned with a stone obelisk. 81 steps further and you have a breathtaking view. And let's be honest: a pyramid in the Netherlands, in the middle of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, is pretty special!
a monument in honour of Napoleon
Let's go back in history to the French period. In 1804, French general Auguste de Marmont was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to form an army of French and Batavian soldiers. He chose the heathland on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and trained an army of 18,000 men.
To give his troops something to do, he decided to have them build a pyramid of sand and turf in honour of Napoleon. In just 27 days, the job was done and the structure was completed: the Pyramid of Austerlitz.
Since then, the monument has been a tourist attraction, but it requires regular maintenance, so there is a risk that it will be closed. But don't worry, it remains an impressive and fascinating structure. You can appreciate that even from a bench!
Visitor centre and playground
A short distance from the Pyramid is a visitor centre, a restaurant with a terrace, a playground and a Luna Park with bumper cars, a merry-go-round and a miniature train. Outside, you can learn all kinds of interesting facts about the French period (for example, that the terms “kilogram”, “litre” and “metre” date from that time) and have your photo taken as a French soldier in a sentry box.
A break in the town of Austerlitz
Time for a well-earned break! Halfway along the route, we make a small detour to Austerlitz. The café is closed, but the village hall has a terrace. Perfect! With a drink in hand, we look out over the village square. A quick stop at the local supermarket for some last-minute supplies and we're ready to go again.
Heidestein
Bornia
Have you come across the Veluwe heath sheep?
At the end of a long forest path, we arrive at a large fenced-in area: the Heidestein Bornia grazing area, home to the Veluwe heath sheep, among other animals. Good to know: dogs are not allowed, but walkers are welcome. We can enter the area via a gate with a fence and steps. With woods, heathland, sand drifts, hills and ponds, this is a paradise for nature lovers!
The habitat of the wolf
The heath sheep are not the only animals that live in the forest. At the edge of the forest, we see a sign informing us that we are entering wolf territory. No matter how carefully we look around, we see no sign of them (and to be honest, we're fine with that!).
Time for a quiz!
What does the magpie do with its prey? How does a hare run? And what is the largest bird of prey here? Along the path are signs with nature quiz questions. The answers are provided at the last sign. So you learn something too!
Around the forest pond of the Heidestein estate
Driebergen can't be far now! But we get one last treat from nature: an idyllic path along a forest pond, with little bridges, hills and a tunnel. It's so beautiful that we momentarily forget the tiredness creeping into our legs...
Because even though the route isn't difficult, you find yourself climbing and descending more than you realise on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
End point: station Driebergen-Zeist
We made it! Tired but satisfied, we arrive at Driebergen-Zeist station. Our walking experience? It was definitely worth it! A route full of nature, history and playful discoveries.
Tip!
The complete walking route along the Pyramid of Austerlitz can be found at klikprintenwandel.nl. This website contains a complete route description, a detailed topographical map and a GPX file for navigation with your smartphone.
Turn it into a multi-day walking trip!
Want to spend the night surrounded by nature? You can, at Stayokay Utrecht-Bunnik: the perfect base for hikers and nature lovers. From Driebergen-Zeist station, it's only a 4-minute train ride to Bunnik station. From there, it's just a 2 km walk to our cosy hostel. You'll still have plenty of energy left in your legs...
Utrecht - Bunnik
- Surrounded by greenery
- Stay overnight in a characteristic country house
- Private or shared room with private bathroom
Are you coming by car?
Then it is convenient to park at Q-park P+R at Driebergen-Zeist station and then take the train to Maarn (travel time 5 minutes). An additional advantage is that you will receive a traveller's discount on the parking costs.
Catering on the route
Need to rest? Want something to eat or drink? You can do so after about 6 kilometres at the visitor centre of the Pyramid of Austerlitz, or 2 kilometres further on in the village of Austerlitz at eatery Ouwekamp or Dorpshuis Hart van Austerlitz. There are also plenty of places to eat and drink at the start and end of the route in Maarn and Driebergen.
The most beautiful walks in the Netherlands
Have you got the bug and want to discover even more beautiful routes through the Netherlands? You don't have to reinvent the walking wheel yourself, we have already listed the most beautiful routes for you!
