Leersum Forestry - De Wildeman nature reserve, Broekhuizen estate and the Leersumse Veld

By car: Start at the (busy) parking lot * of the Leersumse Veld, Maarsbergseweg 18 (N226), 3956 KW Leersum, Utrechtse Heuvelrug municipality, Netherlands. Free parking.

Bus: line 50, Donderberg stop in Leersum. This is two-thirds of the way along the route.

A beautiful woodland walk in any season, spanning two veritable "mountains" northwest of Leersum and through the countryside surrounding the hamlet of Darthuizen. Immediately after the start, you'll climb the Darthuizerberg, and halfway up, you'll be amazed by the historic Broekhuizen Castle. The water in the pond comes from natural springs (spring head) in the De Wildeman nature reserve. After climbing the Donderberg and the Stormpad Breeveen, the walk ends in the beautiful Leersumse Veld (500 hectares), the easternmost part of which is closed from March 15th to August 31st (breeding season). Detailed information, particularly about the nature and the history (and origins) of this part of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, is provided in the "Sights and Landmarks" section. In summary, you'll encounter several surprising spots in the Leersum Forestry, which consists of deciduous and coniferous forests with ancient avenues, heathland with fens, and ecologically managed grain fields.

* Restaurants and cafes are located 3 km from the car park in the centre of Leersum.