‘A walk around the Veluwe’ is the Hicle Hiking Route of the Year 2026

At the Fiets en Wandelbeurs in Ghent, this route was selected by the walking jury. They described the winning route as “a nature path par excellence, fully living up to its subtitle ‘Longest Forest Walk in the Netherlands’.”

“Even the edges of the largest nature reserve in the Netherlands are very appealing, with their forests, heathlands, and sand drifts. The trail is divided into twenty stages, all beginning and ending near a train station or bus stop,” according to the jury.

According to the jury, the beautiful nature, the large proportion of unpaved paths, the attractive guide, the precise route description, and clear maps are major strengths. Another strong point is that all stages are accessible by public transport. The guide also provides detailed instructions on reaching the OV (public transport) stops — an extra service for walkers. The jury noted the lack of on-site signage as a minor drawback.

Winner:
Een wandeling rondom de Veluwe (300 km – NL)

“Een wandeling rondom de Veluwe” (A walk around the Veluwe) is a completely revised remake of the guide of the same name, originally published in 2012. The described route has changed significantly. During the re-exploration, it became clear that conditions in several areas had changed so much that the route needed to be adjusted. For example, some parts of nature reserves – and therefore paths – were closed to create resting areas for wildlife, prompting the search for new alternatives. In addition, better options were sought for certain sections. As a result, the route is now nearly 20 kilometers longer and even more attractive. About 20% of the trail follows new paths. The walk is almost 300 km long, divided into 20 stages.

Menno Faber and Ad Snelderwaard produced a comprehensive 176-page guide. The authors describe their creation as “the longest forest walk in the Netherlands”, featuring a variety of appealing landscapes with hills, forests, heathlands, and sand dunes.

Info: Gegarandeerdonregelmatig.nl

The election of the Hicle Hiking Route of the Year is an initiative by Hicle/Fiets en Wandelbeurs, aimed at encouraging the development of high-quality hiking routes. Eligible for the award are new or recently updated routes in the Benelux. The winner receives the coveted honorary title of ‘Best Hiking Route’.