Do you want to take a lovely walk with your dog in the most beautiful places in the Netherlands? You can! - View the best dog walking places per province here:
Drenthe – Dwingelderveld National Park
This National Park near Dwingeloo is one of the larger parks (4000 ha, of which the largest off-leash area, Lheerderzand, is 120 ha). The area consists of fields, forests, heathlands and drifting sands. This area has both off-leash areas and places where dogs must be on a leash. An ideal place for an adventurous walk full of different nature that you and your dog can enjoy.
Flevoland – Erkemede beach & Nulder dike
This area just below Zeewolde has both a dike and a beach where dogs can run free. The water at the beach slopes very gradually, making it an ideal area for dogs to play with each other and learn to swim. It is also quite centrally located in the Netherlands, so you never have to travel far. Erkenmedestrand was voted the best dog beach in the Netherlands in 2018. There are free toilets available, poop bags, dog showers and dogs are also welcome at the campsite!
Erkmede beach near Zeewolde (photo: Gouwenaar)
Friesland – Bakkeveense Dunes
In the nature reserve east of Bakkeveen, the 'Bakkeveense Duinen', there is a sandy plain where dogs can run free all year round. Here too, there is a pond where dogs can swim and dunes where they can romp. Please note that there is much more water in the winter than in the summer. The off-leash area is fenced and wheelchair-friendly. The dogs can do their own thing there!
Gelderland - Rozendaalse Veld
The Rozendaalse Veld is located near Arnhem and is a great area for dogs. With the sandy plains, hills, heathland and forest you can enjoy the different Dutch landscapes. The off-leash areas for dogs are well indicated and you can easily enjoy yourself here for a while.
Rozendaalseveld in the mist (photo: Marco Derksen)
Groningen – Lauwersmeer National Park
The Lauwersmeer in the National Park at Lauwersoog borders the Wadden Sea. Here, dogs are allowed to run free on the third beach all year round. They can swim well here and there are many meadows where the dogs can run through. Ideal for sunbathing and playing with your dog on a sunny day with lots of sun.
Limburg – Sint-Pietersberg
Just below Maastricht is a large and impressive limestone plateau with a fenced off-leash area for dogs on top. Here the dogs can play with each other while you sit on one of the benches or have a picnic and enjoy the view. You can also take various walks in this area provided your dog is on a leash.
North Brabant - Loonse and Drunense Dunes National Park
In this nature reserve near Drunen, you will find forest, heathland and especially lots of sand. The Loonse en Drunense Duinen is one of the largest drifting sand areas in Western Europe. This park has a 3.5 kilometre off-leash area with a lake in the middle. On this terrain, dogs can run around, play and cool off in the sand and in the water.
The Loonse- and Drunense Dunes are one of the largest drifting sand areas in Europe (photo: Frank de Wit)
North Holland – The Amsterdam Forest
Near Amstelveen there is a beautifully landscaped nature reserve where you can walk around for several hours. Dogs are allowed to run free almost everywhere and they can swim in several places to play and cool off. There are also many different grass fields. Ideal for sunbathing yourself and throwing balls or sticks for the dog.
Overijssel – Twickelerbosch
Near Delden is the Twickelerbosch. The estate consists of Twickel Castle and the surroundings have gently rolling fields, ancient oaks, heathlands and fens. The estate is 4000 ha and has two off-leash areas for dogs, provided they are under control. This rich area of nature is wonderful to get some fresh air while you walk with a happy dog!
Utrecht – Long Dunes
In the province of Utrecht are the Soesterduinen near Soest. The Lange Duinen are part of this. Here is the largest dune area of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. It is a drifting sand area. Dogs are allowed to run free everywhere here. There is no real swimming water but there is a small pond that is shallow. When it has rained there are many more pools in this area. In the summer these pools are dried up again. A wonderful area where many people walk their dogs and you see the dogs romping through the dunes and playing with each other!
The Soesterduinen are a great place to walk your dog (photo: Angelbattle Bros)
Zeeland – Fort Rammekens
Near Vlissingen lies the oldest sea fort in Western Europe, Fort Rammekens. Around this fort is an impressive nature reserve with forest, creeks, beach and meadow. Here dogs are allowed to run free all year round except during the breeding season of the birds between 15 March and 15 June.
South Holland – Hondendijk
The Hondendijk is located in Monster and is a large piece of dune that is completely fenced. Ideal to let your dog run free here and play with other dogs. You can also walk to the dog beach at the end of the dike. Ideal to let your dog cool off!
