Meijendel route

The cycle route starts at TOP Voorschoten (Duin, Horst and Weide) behind the Van der Valk hotel De Gouden Leeuw.

TOP Voorschoten - at Van der Valk hotel De Gouden Leeuw - is located in the middle of the Duin Horst & Weide area. This open area between The Hague and Leiden extends all the way from the coast in the west to the Groene Hart inland. The relatively young dunes on the coast form a valuable nature reserve with various functions: water extraction, coastal reinforcement and recreation. The first settlement took place on the old beach walls (horsten) around 2000 BC. Around 1200 AD, castles were built in strategic places in the area, including Duivenvoorde Castle. Due to the higher and drier location of the beach walls, the first villages, such as Wassenaar and Voorschoten, also emerged here. From the 17th century onwards, country estates with estates were built on the beach walls. In the east, the area flows into the reclaimed land and the open peat meadow area of the Groene Hart.

Tip 1: Duivenvoorde Castle
Duivenvoorde probably takes its name from the rivers Duve (or Dobbe) and Voor, between which the castle was built. In 1226,'Duvenvoirt\\\' is mentioned for the first time in a deed. The castle took its current shape around 1631. The castle can only be visited with a guided tour. You can walk on the estate all year round - with an entrance ticket.
Address: Laan van Duivenvoorde 4, Voorschoten. Telephone: 071 - 561 37 52. Internet: www.kasteelduivenvoorde.nl

Tip 2: Voorstraat (Voorschoten)
The Voorstraat - recognizable by its characteristic lime trees and old houses - is the medieval heart of Voorschoten. The street was made extra wide at the time to make room for the market. Not only horses were traded, but also poultry and products such as salt and medicinal herbs.

Tip 3: Tea Pavilion De Horsten
Hidden in the greenery on the 'Royal Estates de Horsten' between Wassenaar and Voorschoten lies Tea Pavilion De Horsten. It is a so-called 'shooting house' and was built in 1861 by order of Prince Fredrik, brother of King Willem II. Today the building is used as a tea pavilion. A ticket must be purchased for access to De Horsten and the tea pavilion.
Address: Papeweg 36, Wassenaar. Telephone: 070 - 511 26 19. Internet: www.theepaviljoendehorsten.nl

Tip 4: Meijendel dune area
The extensive Meijendel dune area is located between Scheveningen and Wassenaar. The dunes here function as a water extraction area for The Hague and Leiden and are also very valuable as a nature reserve. In the Meijendel valley, next to the Pancake House, is the Dunea visitor center'De Tapuit\\\'.
Address: Meijendelseweg 40, Wassenaar. Telephone: 088 - 347 48 49. Internet: www.dunea.nl/ Visitors Center

More information about this TOP