Baarn, Laren and Blaricum

Deciduous forests, coniferous forests and heathland, but also grasslands with sand-pit ditches, estates and unique remains of englands and commons. A bike ride through Het Gooi shows you a landscape that is almost nowhere else in the Netherlands. On the east and west side of the high sand ridge, the landscape is flat and meadows stretch out, while the highest point of Het Gooi is the Tafelberg, which is 36.4 m above NAP. Sandy plains and wooded areas alternate in subtle transitions from high to low and the heathland is thus surrounded by forests in a consistent, unique way. The differences in height create beautiful waters on the edges of Het Gooi. Although the development is advancing, parts of Het Gooi are protected, so that the unique coulisse landscape can be preserved. Laren, among other places, is expanding rapidly. The town is named after a'laar\\\'; an open space in the forest and that is a place that appeals to the imagination. It is therefore not surprising that Laren is one of the oldest inhabited places in the Gooi. The very first people lived here around 2500 BC and in 1085 the bishop of Utrecht founded the Sint Janskerkhof. Although it was initially a farming village, Laren has grown into a commuter village, where many people who live in Utrecht seek refuge. You park your car in the parking lot in Baarn. Profile Henk Wind (F) is located here and we therefore advise you to have your bike checked here before you set off. With the bicycle discount card you get a 10 euro discount on maintenance or repairs and it is a reassuring thought to know that your bike has been properly checked before you start the bike ride. To kill time, you can admire Huis Peking, which was built half a kilometer away from the bicycle specialist. The house dates from 1792 and the Chinese architectural style is a reference to the trade that the owner conducted with China and with which he had become rich. On the roof you can see two beautiful lions that are characteristic of the house. Nowadays, the head office of Portaal is located in the building, so you cannot visit the house from the inside. Take the time for a walk through the Peking garden, which is located around the house. This beautifully landscaped garden is freely accessible. Until 1857, Hooge Vuursche officially belonged to the municipality of De Vuursche. However, this hamlet is now part of the municipality of Baarn. In 1840, Hooge Vuursche had 53 inhabitants in four houses. The most important building on the territory is the castle of the same name, which is hidden between the trees. Kasteel De Hooge Vuursche was opened in 1912 and, because of its green surroundings, it is a location where weddings, presentations and parties are regularly held. Previously, the castle was used as a hotel-restaurant, but in the years after WWII, important conferences were held there. Heineken also owned the castle and used a wing of the building as a safe house. The last attraction of the tour is also located near Baarn. Drakenburg Castle was a knight's manor and a castle that was built around the fourteenth century. The castle existed until the beginning of the nineteenth century and was inhabited for a long time by its namesakes, the Lords of Drakenburg. Over the years, the castle has been renovated a lot. Nowadays, new buildings have been placed within the national monument canal remnant. A remnant of the old coach house has been incorporated into this.