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KasteelWandeling
KasteelWandeling
The De Haar Castle Walk (Kasteelwandeling) is held every June. Participants can choose a short route of about 13 km or a long route of about 21 km, and the route can also be completed by running or cycling. On Saturday, participants may walk or cycle; on Sunday, runners can take part in the half marathon or a shorter distance. Cycling routes range from approximately 70 to 150 km.
Picture Perfect Hiking Route
Picture Perfect Hiking Route
If this walk fits into agenda, definitely go for it, as it is one of the most picturesque walking routes in The Netherlands. The castle is visible for a large part of the route. I recommend taking photos regularly from every angle to have perfect Christmas cards with the castle in the background to send to everyone.
The Castle Garden
The Castle Garden
The start and finish are at the castle, and the majority of the route runs through the castle park. The castle park was laid out around 1900 in the English landscape style. The walker passes the Kruisvijver, the deer park, the maze (doolhof), and the orchard in the castle garden. Both routes run past the Haarijnse Plas and the Geertjes Hoeve. And the 21 km route also goes through the Máxima Park and the lily pond in this park.
Seize The Opportunity
Seize The Opportunity
Seize the chance and stay near the castle before and/or after the walk, because it is a beautiful nature reserve in Utrecht and the buses do not run often. The best way to get to the start and end of the Castle Walk is by bike. I stayed at a hotel in Harmelen in 2023. It was a good hotel and I was in the quiet section, even though it was located in the middle of Harmelen. I had breakfast with a view of the Old Rhine (Oude Rijn). It is a family hotel that has been run by the same family for four generations. From my hotel, I walked about 4,5 km in the early morning in peace and quiet to the start of the Castle Walk.
The Surroundings Of The Castle
The Surroundings Of The Castle
Most routes run through the Castle park. If walking the long route, there is also much to see outside the Castle park. The nature reserve in this part of Utrecht is beautiful and diverse. But there is also a new residential area, the Maximapark, and Haarrijnseplas. I visited Haarrijnseplas in the past for work. At that time, it was a new business park with a lake, for which I had to write an advisory report. Since then, it has grown into more than just a business park. There are homes in the new residential area Haarrijn, a beach pavilion, a swimming lake, and walking routes.
Geertjes Hoeve Rest Stop
Geertjes Hoeve Rest Stop
There are several rest stops, but Geertjes Hoeve is worth mentioning. It is a small experience farm in Haarzuilens with goats, chickens, mini-golf, a playground, a petting zoo, a cheese factory, and pony riding. There is plenty of room to sit down for a moment and rest the legs before walking to the finish.
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