Cycling through the Utrecht forests

This route takes you for a day through the Utrecht forests. A varied route that also takes you through some beautiful towns such as Zeist and Bilthoven.

Picturesque Maartensdijk
The route runs through Maartensdijk, a picturesque village in the Utrecht polder. On the Dorpsweg you will see several monumental farms and country houses, such as Eyckenstein Castle from the seventeenth century and Rustenhoven country estate from the eighteenth century. You drive through villages such as Bosch en Duin, Bilthoven and Den Dolder. Rich merchants had their holiday homes built in this region around 1900, so that you now cycle through a beautiful mosaic of forest and country estates.

Utrechtse Heuvelrug
Beyond Zeist you really notice that you are on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug: the landscape starts to undulate a little more. The route starts in the middle of the woods at Woudschoten Hotel & Conference Center, a beautiful hotel where you can spend the night comfortably and in peace. You cycle through the vast and silent forests. One moment you are driving under a thick canopy, the next you can smell the fresh conifers or look out over a quiet and rolling heathland.

Special outing
There are two special places close to your route where you can take a trip. You can view or visit Slot Zeist. This pleasure ground was built in the seventeenth century on behalf of Willem Adriaan van Nassau, a grandson of Maurice of Orange. Just past Soesterberg you can visit the beautifully renovated National Military Museum. Here you will find interesting exhibitions about historical and new weapon systems. Would you like to enjoy nature on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug even more? Then also drive route 524601.