Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland

The Amsterdamse Bos park was designed at the beginning of the 20th century as an urban forest for enjoying nature and recreation. The construction started in 1934 as a job creation project. More than twenty thousand unemployed people worked with shovels and wheelbarrows to realise the ‘Boschplan’ (Forest Plan). Work even continued on the forest during and after the Second World War, with the last tree being planted in 1970. Large areas of the forest are designed in the English landscape style with winding water features and rolling grass lawns. It also features elements from German public parks and an exceptionally large number of bridges, each with their own unique design. Visit De Boswinkel for more information about the forest and booklets with the walking routes.

• The Oude Polderwandeling or Old Polder Walk (blue) takes you through the old Dutch polder landscape between the Bosbaan lake and the Nieuwe Meer. You will walk along the Bosbaan, which is at a much lower level than the polder next to it. At its lowest point, the Amsterdamse Bos is 6.5 metres below sea level (NAP).
• The Heuvelwandeling or Hill Walk (yellow) takes you through both natural and park forest landscapes. Walk past playgrounds and paddling pools and climb the Heuvel. This is where children completed the construction of the forest on the tree planting day of 1970. The wheelbarrow on the Grote Speelweide recreational area commemorates the people who built the forest.
• The Riekermolenroute or Rieker Windmill Route (green) connects the Amsterdamse Bos park with the Amstelpark and the much-photographed Riekermolen windmill on the Amstel river. Follow this route through the lovely natural surroundings along the Kalfjeslaan and the Gijsbrecht van Aemstelpark.

Photo: Westphil Photography