De Nieuweburgwal, Het Paradijs and Oosterbosch Loop

With around 14 km / 8.7 mi of almost perfectly flat walking (≈0 m / 0 ft gain), this loop is a relaxed, low-effort day out through Heiloo’s green belt: estate woodland and formal lanes around Landgoed Nijenburg, quieter park paths near Het Paradijs, and the young-but-nature-rich Oosterbos with wetter pockets and reedier edges. Expect easy navigation on a mix of gravel paths, compacted dirt, and short paved connectors, with a few potentially muddy stretches after rain where the ground holds water.

Getting to the start (and what to put in your navigation) A practical place to begin is by **Landgoed Nijenburg**, which sits right on the edge of Heiloo.

- Nearest known address / landmark for the start: Landgoed Nijenburg, Kennemerstraatweg 278, 1851 BG Heiloo (North Holland, NL). ([skbl.nl](https://www.skbl.nl/kbl-locaties/nijenburg/?utm_source=openai)) - By train: Take the train to Heiloo Station (direct connections are common from the Amsterdam–Alkmaar corridor). From the station it’s roughly 2–3 km / 1.2–1.9 mi to the estate depending on your exact approach. Use HiiKER to choose the cleanest walk-in line that matches your loop direction. ([hiiker.app](https://hiiker.app/hikes/netherlands/barneveld/de-nieuweburgwal-and-het-paradijs-loop?utm_source=openai)) - By bus: Local buses stop near Heiloo; one commonly referenced stop for reaching the Nijenburg area is Heiloo, Kattenberg (short walk onward). ([hendrickskaravaan.nl](https://www.hendrickskaravaan.nl/locaties/buitenplaats-nijenburg?utm_source=openai)) - By car: Aim for parking near the Nijenburg area (availability can vary with events). If you want a reliable “park and walk” option, Heiloo Station (Stationsweg area) is often used as a parking base, then you can walk in and stitch the loop together with HiiKER. ([wandelnetwerknoordholland.nl](https://www.wandelnetwerknoordholland.nl/en/startpunten/startpunt-heiloo-station/174?utm_source=openai))

What the walk feels like, section by section **0–4 km (0–2.5 mi): Nijenburg’s lanes, water, and old trees** You’ll quickly settle into estate walking: straight, tree-lined avenues and quieter woodland edges, with water features and open lawns giving that classic Dutch “buitenplaats” feel. The surfaces here are typically firm and forgiving—ideal for trainers or light hiking shoes—though leaf litter can make roots and slick patches harder to spot in wetter months. Keep an eye out for birds working the canopy and understory (woodland songbirds and drumming species are common in this kind of habitat). ([hiiker.app](https://hiiker.app/hikes/netherlands/barneveld/de-nieuweburgwal-and-het-paradijs-loop?utm_source=openai))

4–8 km (2.5–5 mi): Het Paradijs and the calmer green corridors As you arc away from the estate core, the route threads through quieter green corridors and neighborhood-edge parkland. This is where the loop tends to feel most “local”: dog walkers, cyclists at crossings, and short paved links between greener pockets. Because the terrain is flat, the main effort comes from pace and wind—if it’s breezy, open stretches can feel cooler than expected, especially outside summer.

8–12 km (5–7.5 mi): Oosterbos—young woodland, wetter ground, and seasonal mud Oosterbos is a relatively modern green area in Heiloo, designed with a mix of woodland types and wetter “nat bos” character in places—so after rain, expect soft edges, puddling, and occasional slick mud on narrower paths. The layout intentionally includes transitions between open and closed vegetation and makes the most of local water and soil conditions, which is why it can feel surprisingly “wild” for a town-edge forest. ([hollandschap.nl](https://www.hollandschap.nl/projecten/landgoederen-villaparken/heiloo-oosterbos/?utm_source=openai))

12–14 km (7.5–8.7 mi): Return toward Nijenburg and the finish The final stretch is straightforward: easy paths back toward the estate area. If you’re timing your walk for late afternoon, this is often the prettiest light through the lanes and park trees—also when damp ground can start to cool quickly, so a light layer can be welcome even on mild days.

Landmarks and historical context you’ll actually notice on the ground - **Landgoed Nijenburg (estate and grounds):** This is the historic anchor of the loop. The estate’s history