Goois Natuurreservaat

The Gooi is a wooded, hilly region in the middle of the Netherlands, east of Amsterdam and south of the Gooimeer, and it is one of the best areas in the country for walking. Its landscape was shaped by ice sheets in the last ice age, which pushed up ridges of sand and gravel, and for centuries it was covered with heath, grazed by sheep, and with scattered woods. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, wealthy people from Amsterdam built villas here, and the area was in danger of being broken up by development. A foundation, the Goois Natuurreservaat, was set up in the 1930s to protect a large part of the heath and woodland, and it now manages thousands of hectares in the area between Naarden, Hilversum, Laren and Bussum.

The reserve contains a mosaic of habitats. The open heath, with its purple heather and pale sand, is the most characteristic, and in August and September the heather flowers in great sheets of colour that draw walkers from all over the region. Pine and oak woods cover the slopes and valleys, and there are fens, pools and drifting sand. The variety supports many plants and animals, including birds of the heath, deer, rabbits and foxes, and reptiles such as lizards and adders in the sunny open ground. Grazing animals are used to keep the heath open, since without them it would be overgrown with trees. Flocks of sheep led by a shepherd and herds of Highland cattle can be seen on some of the heaths, and their presence is part of the charm.

The reserve is open to walkers and cyclists, with a network of marked paths and sandy tracks that lead through the different landscapes. Large parts are free of cars, and the quiet is striking, given how close the area is to the Randstad. Signs and information boards describe the ecology and the history of the area, and visitors are asked to stay on the paths, to keep dogs on a lead where required and to avoid disturbing animals, particularly in the breeding season. Entry is free, and parking is available at several entry points. Some paths are suitable for pushchairs, while others are sandy and heavy.

The edge of the reserve is close to Naarden, with its star-shaped fortress, and a walk can be combined with a visit to the Vestingmuseum and the ramparts. The Naardense Bos, the woods beside the town, and the towns of Laren and Hilversum offer further stops.

The reserve suits walkers, cyclists, families and nature lovers. A walk takes an hour or a whole day. The best seasons are late summer for the heather and autumn for colour. Bring water and sturdy shoes.