From the Baarn Forest to Amersfoort

Forest, country estates and vast polders. You will experience them with this beautiful route through the area of Baarn and Amersfoort. Time left? Then visit Paleis Soestdijk, while you still can.

Old Soester Dunes
From the Baarnse Bos you drive into the Laagte van Pijnenburg, a lower part of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The soil here is wetter and richer than on the higher parts of the ridge, so there is more natural variation. In the Soesterduinen you will find a unique and centuries-old drifting dune area. A wonderful environment to relax and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind you.

Imperial city Amersfoort
On the edge of Amersfoort you make a stop at Het Lokaal. You can go inside or on the terrace for a bite to eat and a drink. A little later you drive a bit through the Eempolder, a peat meadow area along the river Eem. This used to be a flood plain of the Zuiderzee, now you can enjoy the silence and beautiful views. In Baarn you come across sights such as old villas and the Pauluskerk dating from 1385.

Soestdijk Palace
Close to the start and end point of the route is Soestdijk Palace. This palace was built around 1650 as a country house for the Amsterdam merchant Cornelis de Graeff. The original country house probably forms the core of the current Soestdijk Palace. The palace has been expanded and renovated over time.

Since 1815, the building has been in use by the royal family, with Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard as the last residents. The building is now owned by the Dutch State. Pending a new purpose, the palace and the garden are temporarily open to the public. So don't wait too long if you want to take a look around here again.