View of Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk Waterfront

The Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk is the old dike road through Oud-Loosdrecht, on the edge of the Loosdrechtse Plassen, and the view across the water from it is among the best known in this part of the Netherlands. The lakes lie in the area between Utrecht, Amsterdam and Hilversum, in a landscape that looks natural but is largely the work of people. They are the remains of centuries of peat digging, in which the peat was cut for fuel, leaving long strips of land and open water behind. Over time the strips became narrow islands, and the pools widened into a chain of connected lakes.

Walking or cycling along the dike gives you the full effect. On one side are houses, boatyards and gardens with their own jetties, and on the other the lakes spread out with reed beds, small islands and sailing boats. The road itself is narrow and quiet in places, and it works best at a slow pace. Waterside terraces and small cafes offer a place to sit and watch the boats, and there are marinas, rental points for sloops and small motorboats, and boathouses that give the shoreline its character.

Water sports are a large part of local life. Sailing, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and sloep cruising are all popular, and the many connected lakes make it easy to spend a day on the water without covering the same ground twice. The reed beds and quiet inlets are home to waterbirds, including grebes, herons and ducks, and the area is well known to birdwatchers, particularly in spring and autumn. Because parts of the lakes are protected, some stretches are best seen from the water or the path and not entered.

Nearby there is more to explore. Castle Sypesteyn in Loosdrecht is a reconstructed medieval castle with a museum, a garden and moat, and it makes a good addition to a day on the lakes. The Nieuweweg cycle path leads on towards Fort Tienhoven, and the countryside around is flat and easy for cycling. Hilversum and Utrecht are within easy reach for those who prefer to combine the lakes with a city.

The waterfront suits cyclists, boaters, photographers and anyone looking for a calm day close to the Randstad. Summer weekends are busy with leisure boats, so early mornings and weekdays are quieter, while autumn brings mist and low sun over the reeds. Bring a windproof layer, since the open water can feel cooler than the town.