Haagse Hout, Landgoed Clingendael, Prinsenberg and Scheveningsche Loop

This is a long, flat, city-greenbelt walk linking some of The Hague’s best “big trees” parks and estate woodlands with the sheltered dunes/parkland around Scheveningen. At ~24 km (about 15 miles) with ~0 m gain (0 ft), it’s physically easy, but it’s still a full day on your feet—plan for 5–7 hours of walking time depending on stops, crowds, and how much you linger in the estates.

A practical start point that fits the “Haagse Hout” theme is Den Haag Centraal Station (Central Station), by the Malieveld field—a major landmark directly beside the green corridor you’ll be walking through. (If you’re using HiiKER, set the start near “Den Haag Centraal / Malieveld”.) The route then threads northeast into Haagse Bos/Haagse Hout, swings through Landgoed Clingendael, continues via Prinsenberg and on toward the Scheveningse Bosjes / Scheveningsche Loop area before looping back through urban-green connectors.

Getting to the start (public transport + car)

• By train/tram/bus: Den Haag Centraal is one of the Netherlands’ main rail hubs, with frequent intercity and local trains plus trams/buses right outside. Starting here also makes it easy to bail out mid-walk if weather turns.
• By car: Aim for parking around Malieveld / Den Haag Centraal (paid city parking is the norm). If you prefer a quieter “park-edge” start, you can also park nearer the Benoordenhout/Haagse Bos edges, but availability varies and restrictions are common in residential streets.

What to bring: comfortable road-to-trail shoes (you’ll be on a mix of paved paths, compact gravel, and park tracks), a light rain layer (coastal weather changes fast), and a windproof if you’ll be near Scheveningen. Water and snacks are easy to top up in the city, but it’s still smart to carry at least 1–1.5 L.

From Den Haag Centraal, you’ll step almost immediately into the open grass of Malieveld, a huge city field famous nationally as a gathering place for major events and demonstrations. (en.wikipedia.org) From here, the feel shifts quickly: broad lawns and avenues give way to the long, rectangular woodland of Haagse Bos, one of the oldest surviving forests in the Netherlands. (en.wikipedia.org)

Over the first 3–5 km (2–3 miles), expect: - Wide, well-surfaced paths suitable for all abilities - Commuter and cyclist traffic near the station edges (stay alert at crossings) - A classic Dutch “city-forest” mix: tall deciduous trees, ponds, and straight sightlines

There’s also a sobering layer of history here: during World War II, parts of Haagse Bos were used by the German army in connection with V-1 and V-2 rocket activity, and the area around the forest is tied to wartime events in The Hague. (en.wikipedia.org)

As you continue toward Landgoed Clingendael (roughly 8–12 km / 5–7.5 miles into the day depending on your exact connectors), the scenery becomes more “estate-like”: quieter lanes, ornamental water, and landscaped woodland. Clingendael is a historic estate with a 17th-century manor; since 1982 the manor has housed the Clingendael Institute (Netherlands Institute of International Relations). (en.wikipedia.org)

Landgoed Clingendael highlights (and a key planning note)

Clingendael’s headline feature is the Japanese Garden, created in the early 20th century by Baroness Marguérite “Lady Daisy” van Brienen, who brought back lanterns, bridges, a pavilion, and plants from Japan. (en.wikipedia.org) It’s considered fragile and is only open for limited periods each year—so don’t build your timing around it unless you’ve checked the current opening window before you go. (denhaag.nl)

Even when the Japanese Garden is closed, the estate paths are still worth it for: - Mature beech and oak stands, rhododendron/azalea plantings in season - Quiet ponds and curving parkland paths (a contrast to the straighter Haagse Bos corridors) - Occasional WWII-era remnants in the broader area (