Highlights of Baarn

(29.0 km)

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This cycle route through the countryside around Baarn runs past Soestdijk Palace, De Hooge Vuursche Castle and Groeneveld Castle. Come experience the same tranquillity and hospitality that drew wealthy merchants here in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Soestdijk Palace
Soestdijk Palace is the former residence of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and her consort, Prince Bernhard. Starting life as a manor house, it was expanded into a hunting lodge in 1674. Over the years, the palace has been home to such luminaries as Stadtholder-King William III, Louis I of Holland, William II and his consort Anna Pavlovna and – most famously – Queen-Regent Emma.

Lage Vuursche
The hamlet of Lage Vuursche boasts no f…

Lage Vuursche
The hamlet of Lage Vuursche boasts no fewer than 44 listed monuments and is a designated village conservation area. These include an inn from 1652, which is now a restaurant; the Stulpkerk; and Drakensteyn Castle. Many visitors flock to this picturesque hamlet each year to enjoy nature, culture and pancakes!

How to get there
The route starts at TOP Kasteel Groeneveld. A Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) is a starting point where you can leave your car and continue on foot, by bike or by boat. TOPs are easily reached by car and offer ample parking space. A large number of them are located near a hotel, restaurant and/or cafe and some of them have charging points for e-bikes. If you are coming by train, you can also start the route at trainstation Driebergen-Zeist.

Take a look

Sights on this route

Starting point: TOP Kasteel Groeneveld
Groeneveld 2
3744 ML Baarn

TOP Groeneveld Castle

Groeneveld Castle is an 18th-century country estate, one of the finest of that era. Regents and merchants had been coming to country estates since the 17th century to get away from the city for a taste...

Hoeve Ravenstein

Hoeve Ravenstein is located on the Groeneveld country estate, in the middle of the Baarn wooded areas.

The Waterloo Needle

If you stand with your back to Soestdijk Palace, the Waterloo Needle is in a beautiful, straight line of sight. This is a commemorative pillar from 1815 for a brave crown prince.

TOP De Generaal

Soestdijk Palace

A visit to Soestdijk Palace is a unique experience. Visitors are mainly shown the most formal and oldest part of the palace, i.e., the period rooms where guests used to be formally received.

De Hooge Vuursche Castle

The castle was built on the orders of merchant navy officer Johannes Adrianus van den Bosch and his wife Baroness van Hardenbroek. The architect of the building was none other than master builder Eduard Cuypers.

The Vuursche

Every part of the Vuursche has its own distinct character. In one part, you walk through thick and dark forest. A few metres further, the trees thin so that the sun can reach the forest floor.

TOP Groeneveld Castle

End point: TOP Kasteel Groeneveld
Groeneveld 2
3744 ML Baarn

Directions

Starting point: TOP Kasteel Groeneveld
Groeneveld 2
3744 ML Baarn

This route follows the cycle network junctions, identified by the white-and-green signs with two-digit numbers. Follow the numbers: 16 - 21 - 20 - 19 - 17 - 15 - 64 - 65 - 62 - 97 - 98 - 90 - 63 - 22 - 16.

End point: TOP Kasteel Groeneveld
Groeneveld 2
3744 ML Baarn