There are few places where you can hike in such a variety of ways as in Zandvoort. Over the beach, through the forest, over the dunes, through the village and even over the ‘sacred’ tarmac. We are happy to give you the best tips and most beautiful routes.
In Zandvoort, you can go on wonderful walks. Whether you wander through the wooded surroundings in search of wildlife, get some fresh air on a walk along the beach or immerse yourself in history in the old neighbourhoods of Zandvoort. You can explore them on your own or with a guide.
In Zandvoort, everything is close by. The following walks (up to 5 kilometres) will give you a brief introduction to the various facets of Zandvoort.
The Waterleidingduinen is home to the largest population of fallow deer in the Netherlands. With this route you walk off the paths through the forests in search of these beautiful animals. Not that you have to look far: in the area you are guaranteed deer. So enjoy the deer and the surroundings during the walk.
In the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes there are many bunkers, about 400. This route runs along several bunkers. They were built by Germany during the Second World War and are part of the Atlantic Wall.
Circuit Zandvoort has an almost magical attraction. The walking route along all the bends of the circuit tells the history of the track and the heroic races that have been held here.
During the Sloppies walk we take you into the history of Zandvoort. The walk goes past various locations that take you back to the time when Zandvoort was still a fishing village.
You can take wonderful walks in and around the dunes of the Amsterdam water supply. You’ll come across all sorts of things: Bison, deer, foxes, bunkers: and all within walking distance of the station. The following routes, all between 5 and 10 kilometres long, give you a first introduction to the nature around Zandvoort.
Note that for walks in the Amsterdam water supply dunes you need an entrance ticket for anyone over the age of 18. These are available at the entrance or online.
The Zuiderduin loop takes you through the southern dunes of Zandvoort and a part through the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen. Enjoy the fresh sea air, the animals in the AWD and the beautiful views.
The Kraansvlak is one of the few areas in the Netherlands where the Wisent lives. These European Bisons can have a back height of up to 2 meters high and are therefore incredibly impressive to see. They are wild animals so keep your distance.
In the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes there are many bunkers, about 400. This route runs along several bunkers. They were built by Germany during the Second World War and are part of the Atlantic Wall.
The Waterleidingduinen is home to the largest population of fallow deer in the Netherlands. With this route you walk off the paths through the forests in search of these beautiful animals. Not that you have to look far: in the area you are guaranteed deer. So enjoy the deer and the surroundings during the walk.
Circuit Zandvoort has an almost magical attraction. The walking route along all the bends of the circuit tells the history of the track and the heroic races that have been held here.
Zandvoort and its surroundings are full of stories and history. The following routes, all between 10 and 15 kilometres long, each tell their own story or take you into a piece of the area’s history. From the walk of the fish walkers to the large grazing animals in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. All walks can be downloaded as PDF and GPX files.
Note that for walks in the Amsterdam water supply dunes you need an entrance ticket for anyone over 18. These are available at the entrance or online.
The winter guest walk goes along canals and ditches, with various opportunities to walk closer to a bank. With a visit to the beautiful Zwanenplas, where many winter birds come to spend the winter. So bring binoculars!
The Wester house is a historic building. It was originally a service house for the water pump operator. When the pumps were powered electrically, an operator was no longer needed and the house became empty. It has been renovated and opened as a landscape viewing hut.
The Zuiderduin loop takes you through the southern dunes of Zandvoort and a part through the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen. Enjoy the fresh sea air, the animals in the AWD and the beautiful views.
With this route you walk from the NS station into the peace of nature. Spot seals at the Noordvoort nature reserve from the sea strip and come face to face with foxes and deer in the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen. A unique walk.
Zandvoort is originally a fishing village. Where the men got the fish from the sea, the women (mostly) walked to Haarlem with a heavy basket full of fish. Here they traded them in the fish halls. With the Stinkende Emmer route you follow in the footsteps of these fishmongers.
The Kraansvlak is one of the few areas in the Netherlands where the Wisent lives. These European Bisons can have a back height of up to 2 meters high and are therefore incredibly impressive to see. They are wild animals so keep your distance.
With the Amsterdam water dunes, the South Kennemerland National Park and Haarlem around the corner, Zandvoort is a great starting point for long-distance hikers. The following walks are between 17 and 30 kilometres long and take you through the entire Zandvoort area. Good for hours of walking pleasure. All walks are downloadable as PDF and GPX files.
Please note that for walks in the Amsterdam water supply dunes you need an entrance ticket for anyone over the age of 18. These are available at the entrance or online.
From Zandvoort to IJmuiden is a beautiful route between the two seaside resorts. You walk over the Zandvoort beach via Bloemendaal aan zee to the pier of IJmuiden and back through the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
This walk has almost everything you can find in National Park Zuid-Kennemerland: beach, dunes, diversity and with a bit of luck also Wisents. A beautiful walk from Zandvoort along the unique Vogelenmeer and the Wisent lookout point.
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is home to several large grazers, such as Scottish Highlanders, Konik horses and Shetland ponies. The animals roam freely here and are used to 'prune' the vegetation in a natural way. You can encounter the animals during the walk.
Rocking at Paal 69 in Zandvoort is really something special. The fresh sea breeze in your face, the sound of the waves and the view of the sea complete the moment. As you swing back and forth, it feels like you are flying for a moment, completely detached from the daily hustle and bustle. It makes you feel like a child again, carefree and full of fun. The best part is that you can do this not only at Paal 69 – you can also experience such a magical moment at other beach bars in Zandvoort.
-Lotte-
Although you can explore the area around Zandvoort on your own, there is also an incredible amount to tell. Stories and facts about nature, animals and history. If you want to know more, book a guided walk. In some cases you can join the guide, in others you have to make a request yourself.
More info
Over 400 bunkers are hidden in the water supply dunes. Each one has its own history and former function. During the bunker walk, the guide will tell you more about some of these bunkers. He can also tell you exactly which bunkers you can still visit. Please note that you walk off the beaten track and that the hike is not suitable for pushchairs and people with walking difficulties.
To the Zandvoorts Museum
Zandvoort’s sloppies are relics from the time when Zandvoort was still a fishing village. Entire fishing families lived in the narrow streets, the sloppies: father, mother, children and grandparents. During this walk through the Zandvoort Museum, the guide takes you through the streets in the centre of Zandvoort. He regularly stops at various houses to relive the history of the fishermen.
Juttersgeluk
Large amounts of plastic wash up on the beach in Zandvoort every year. Beachcomber’s Luck organises beach clean-ups for groups, where you clean up the beach during a walk. Beachcomber’s Luck then sorts the plastic that has been washed out and recycles it into new products. Also suitable as a team-building activity
Every year, several events are organised especially for hikers.
30 van Zandvoort
The sportiest weekend in Zandvoort takes place every last weekend in March. In addition to the Circuit Run and the Omloop van Zandvoort on Sunday, the sporting event organisation Le Champion organises the ’30 of Zandvoort’ on Saturday. A beautiful 30-kilometre walk that takes you through the centre of Zandvoort, across the circuit and through the beautiful nature around Zandvoort. A real must for walkers. If you think 30 kilometres is too much at the moment, sign up for the 18-kilometre route. It’s a little less far, but just as beautiful.
Zandvoort Light Walk
Every year in February, Le Champion organises the Zandvoort Light Walk. The walk starts at Circuit Zandvoort and takes participants on various routes through the village and to the beach. Various works of light art can be admired along the route, making every walk worthwhile. So watch out for the registration date in the agenda.
Zandvoort is the starting point for wonderful hikes. We have selected the most beautiful walking routes for you. Over the beach, through the dunes and the woods. You’ll discover all sorts of things along the way. Put on your hiking boots and set off. Have fun!
If you want to go for a walk in nature, please note that the nature reserves are only open between sunrise and sunset.
There are plenty of car parks at the entrance to the nature reserves. Bear in mind that there are paid car parks. Many starting points of the routes are also easy to reach by train or bus.
There are several walking junctions in Zandvoort. You can easily follow one of the network’s walking routes or create your own route.
Both at Zandvoort station and at the entrance to the Waterleidingduinen on the Zandvoortselaan you will find a Toerist Transfer Point with all the turn-offs and various routes
Zandvoort is also a great starting point for longer walks. Through the dunes to IJmuiden via narrow paths in the peaceful countryside, where you can find an anti-tank wall and bunkers hidden in the bushes. Or walk south to Noordwijk. This tour is 17 kilometres long and runs along the wide sandy beach. On this route you will pass through the Noordvoort beach reserve, a quiet stretch of beach between piles 70 and 73, a unique resting place on the beach where you have to follow a 3 kilometre footpath up through the dunes. There are three beautiful viewpoints where you can even spot seals.