Around Soest

Soest is located in a particularly varied landscape on the edge of the Heuvelrug: polder, forests and river area. We cross Soest and head towards Baarn where we pass Groeneveld Castle. The house was built in the first half of the 18th century and is one of the most beautiful examples of a country house from that time. We continue the route to the forest edge of Pijnenburg. The route then takes you past the Soesterduinen. These sand drifts were formed 10,000 years ago during the Ice Age. We reach the Eempolder via the old village of Soest. A beautiful meadow area through which the Eem river quietly meanders. You hear the meadow birds until you are in the vicinity of Groeneveld Castle. Here we see a different, specific flora and fauna. The stately beech avenues in this wooded area are beautiful. Via the Lage Vuursche we go to Maartensdijk with the Eyckenstein and Roverestein estates. The grasslands here are lined with ancient oaks and beech trees. The route now continues along the north side of Soest via the Lange Brinkweg back to the starting point. On the way we pass the famous Soestdijk palace. When Princess Beatrix was inaugurated as queen in 1980, Soestdijk Palace was no longer a royal residence. Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard continued to live there until their death in 2004.