A tour around the Utrechtse Heuvelrug

This beautiful route from Veenendaal takes you across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and through the Amerongse Bos. This region is known for its many estates, and you'll quickly spot the first: behind a perfectly circular driveway rise the turrets of the magnificent Prattenburg country estate. Prattenburg is located in the Prattenburgsche Bosch on the northern slope of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, near the transition to the Gelderse Vallei. The castle-like country house is nestled among the trees in its park-like surroundings. It was built between 1887 and 1890 in an eclectic style on the site of an earlier house, which likely dated from the late 16th or early 17th century. The coach house, with its distinctive stepped gable, is located to the left of the country house.

It's worth stopping here for a stroll. Prattenburg was long an estate with an agricultural component, but this only ended with the new construction at the end of the 19th century. During the construction of the house, designed by E.G. Wentinck, in 1887, the garden and park layout were also altered. In the woods, which had previously been divided into sections, the current walking forest with winding paths, the "Engelse Werk," was created. The family grave was also built here in 1890. Around 1925, a large, deep winding pond surrounded by rhododendrons was excavated.

Afterwards, enjoy a cup of coffee in style at Residence Rhenen, nestled in the woods. The former Orangery houses the à la carte Restaurant de Rotisserie. This contemporary restaurant features a beautiful open kitchen, where dishes are prepared under the watchful eye of guests. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. for lunch (including sandwiches) and dinner. In summer, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, or simply a good glass of wine on the beautiful terrace.

Partridges and corncrakes also breed in the western part of the Bovenpolder. Occasionally, even fish eagles and sea eagles are spotted. So keep your binoculars handy!

You cycle along the floodplains to another castle. When first mentioned, Natewisch was a fief of Guelders and thus a Gelderland enclave within Het Sticht. The first feudal lord was Gijsbert van Zuylen. Under Gelderland feudal law, inheritance is also possible through the female line, and this indeed happened once. From 1270 to 1689, Natewisch was owned by the Van Zuylen van Natewisch family, but in 1663, David III van Zuylen van Natewisch died, and his daughter Emerentia Natewisch inherited. This daughter, Emerentina Geertruid van Zuylen, died in 1689. She was married to Joost Taets van Amerongen, and thus Natewisch came into the possession of this family. It has remained in the same family ever since.

Bergestein House, also called Berkestein, was also a knight's manor, but little remains of it today. Before 1566, Bergestein was known as "Huis op den Hoeven" (House on the Farm). A farmhouse with the castle's coat of arms on its facade stood on the site of the castle, but it was demolished to make way for a new house. The moat is still visible on the south side. The castle grounds are now an orchard and pasture.

The Duurstede ruins are a romantic spot. The current complex is dominated by the tall, round Burgundian tower and the square tower. The actual ruins consist of the remains of the facades of the former residential wings on the west and south sides of the castle complex. Further on, above Wijk bij Duurstede, you can see another beautiful spot: the Groenestein ruins, but here only a gatehouse and part of the moat remain.

You'll also encounter sheepfolds here frequently. The entire municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug boasts no fewer than 31! These buildings are a reminder of the history of sheep farming. With their distinctive shapes, wooden facades, and thatched roofs, they are characteristic buildings of great cultural and historical value. Most sheepfolds have since been given a new purpose and are thus preserved for the future. Take a look at the sheepfold.