trek utrecht

Op bezoek bij Trek Bicycle Store Utrecht

Trek vroeg ons eens een kijkje te gaan nemen in één van hun Trek Bicycle Stores. Ze hebben nu zeven van deze winkels verspreid over Nederland en België. Winkels vol met fietsen en spullen van Trek en Bontrager, maar naar personeel moet je soms zoeken. Nou ja, zo erg is het nou ook weer niet natuurlijk, maar ze zijn voor nagenoeg elke winkel hard op zoek naar mensen, en die liggen niet voor het oprapen.

Wij gingen naar de dichtstbijzijnde Trek Bicycle Store, en voor ons zit die in Utrecht aan de Koningsweg. Daar zitten ze nu sinds juni 2018. Niet heel lang nog dus, maar wel naar alle tevredenheid. Ik sprak er Store Manager Lukas Lamberechts. Hij is niet de eigenaar, dat is namelijk Trek zelf. Dat is een belangrijk gegeven, want het zijn dus geen franchises of popup of concept stores . Het komt vanuit Trek zelf en iedereen in de winkel is dan ook in dienst van het Amerikaanse fietsenmerk.

Lukas komt zelf uit België waar hij bij eerder bij de Trek Bicycle Store in Kortrijk werkte. Zodoende kwam hij in de gelegenheid om Store Manager te worden in Utrecht, een verhuizing had hij daar graag voor over. Dit voorbeeld geeft meteen aan hoe kan het lopen in zo’n organisatie. Je werkt niet alleen bij zo’n winkel, maar je maakt onderdeel uit van een veel grotere organisatie.

Groot familiebedrijf

Trek mag je gerust een groot bedrijf noemen, maar het is geen enorme multinational met honderdduizenden mensen in dienst. Het is een familiebedrijf en er werken wereldwijd ongeveer 6.000 mensen. Niet beursgenoteerd dus en daarmee zijn er ook geen aandeelhouders die tevreden gehouden moeten worden. De lijnen zijn kort en er is veel ruimte voor eigen initiatief.

De lijnen worden veelal uitgezet vanuit het hoofdkantoor van Trek in Waterloo, Wisconsin , maar toch is die afstand niet zo groot als hij misschien lijkt. De CFO van Trek, Chad Brown, is nauw betrokken met alle winkels en kent ook de mensen die er werken. Initiatieven en bijzondere verrichtingen, met name richting de klant, gaan niet onopgemerkt voorbij. En je kan er ook voor beloond worden. Een mooi (en heerlijk Amerikaans) voorbeeld hangt achterin de winkel bij “de eerste-lijns werkplaats”, een ijshockeyshirt met nummer 24 en de naam “Wink” erop. Bij deze werkplek komen klanten met een probleem aan hun fiets als eerste terecht en beoordeeld een technicus wat de volgende stappen zullen zijn.

Het streven is om iedere fiets binnen 24 uur weer klaar te hebben. Dat is niet altijd even makkelijk dus het werk moet goed ingeschat worden. Zo handelde ook Thomas Wink, de chef werkplaats in de winkel, en dat ging niet onopgemerkt voorbij. Als blijk van waardering kreeg hij dit ingelijste ijshockeyshirt (Trek heeft een soort personeelsclub in Waterloo) met zijn naam erop. En er hangt er ook één op het hoofdkantoor in Waterloo.

Elke week krijgt men ook een video met updates van Trek wereldwijd en daarin komen dan ook dit soort bijzonderheden weer in terug. Het is dan misschien niet direct een reden om er te gaan werken maar het laat wel aan dat men vanuit ‘hogerop’ betrokken is, en ook iedereen erbij wil betrekken.

Niet alleen goed voor Trek zelf

Een van de dingen die ik graag wilde weten, was waarom Trek winkels als deze heeft. Er zijn toch de dealers en de lokale fietsenmaker die hun fietsen verkopen? Het antwoord is minder ingewikkeld dan je misschien zou denken. De winkels zijn onderdeel van Trek en de mensen in de winkel werken bij Trek. Het is daarmee een ideale plek om hun boodschap uit te dragen zoals ze dat het liefste zien. Ze willen hun bestaande dealers hier niet mee wegjagen. Sterker nog, ze stellen dat de winkels bijdragen aan de naamsbekendheid van het merk waardoor er ook ‘om de winkels heen’ meer Trek-fietsen verkocht worden. Goed voor Trek en goed voor die dealers dus. En nog goed om te vermelden is dat je niet enkel met een Trek welkom bent, maar ook met elk ander merk fiets. Of dat nou een racefiets, mountanbike, stadsfiets of e-bike is.

Je favoriete fietsenwinkel

Een van de speerpunten van de winkel is ervoor te zorgen dat ze de “favoriete fietsenwinkel” van de lokale fietsgemeenschap worden. Een winkel waar men graag heen gaat en dat ook graag deelt met anderen. Dat bereik je alleen met gemotiveerde mensen die blij zijn met waar ze werken. Dan straal je vanzelf iets positiefs uit. Dat gevoel krijg ik ook als in de winkel ben en iedereen aan het werk zie. Niet dat het er allemaal zo dik bovenop ligt, zoals Amerikanen dat zo goed kunnen soms, maar heel ontspannen en oprecht plezier in wat ze doen.

Er wordt dan ook nog eens onderstreept dat iedereen die er werkt op zijn eigen manier een passie voor het fietsen heeft. Klinkt wellicht logisch, maar zo simpel is het niet altijd. Wat mij ook opvalt is dat men ook verschillende achtergronden heeft en niet per se hiervoor opgeleid is. Met een rechtenstudie, de drive en liefde voor de fiets kan je ook goed werk verrichten, om maar een concreet voorbeeld te noemen.

Community bouwen, binnen en buiten de winkel

Je merkt in de winkel dat er aandacht is voor de consument. Logisch ja, er staan fietsen en kleding en dergelijke, maar bijvoorbeeld ook een bord met routes in de buurt. Er is een koffiehoek en je bent welkom om voor, na of tijdens je rit langs te komen en een ‘bakkie’ te komen doen. Dat doet Ellen van Dijk ook nog weleens, naar het schijnt, die niet al te ver van Utrecht woont. Er worden ritten georganiseerd, maar het personeel gaat er zelf ook regelmatig op uit.

Een van de dingen die Lukas tijdens onze gesprek onderstreept is dat je als werknemer bij Trek veel ruimte krijgt om jezelf te ontplooien. Zo is hij ook als Store Manager in Utrecht terecht gekomen. De kansen zijn er, maar je moet ze wel zelf grijpen of initiëren. Heb je een goed idee, al dan niet met goede business case erachter, dan is er vanalles mogelijk.

Personeel gezocht!

Er zijn nu 7 van deze Trek Bicycle Stores verspreid over Nederland en België. In Kortrijk en Utrecht dus, maar ook in Eindhoven, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Ede en Zwolle. En er zijn plannen om er nog een aantal te openen. Ze hebben nu al heel wat mensen nodig, in de winkels, maar ook op kantoor van Trek Benelux in Harderwijk en in het distributiecentrum in Wijchen. Zo staan er vacatures open als Service Technician en Service Lead, maar ook die van B2B Coördinator op de Customer Care afdeling. Een open sollicitatie sturen mag ook via [email protected].

Hieronder de openstaande vacatures op onze Fietsbanen pagina. Een actueel overzicht van alle vacatures is te vinden is op de vacature pagina van Trek Bikes .

• Service Lead Utrecht
• Service Center Technician (Wijchen)
• Service Technician Rotterdam
• B2B Coördinator (Harderwijk)
• Service Technician Ede

Dit artikel is tot stand gekomen in samenwerking met Trek Bikes.

Gezien en gebruikt

Review: Leeze Boom Board Pro Rocker plate

Eerste indruk: Lazer Z1 KinetiCore

Review: Sportful Sky Rider Supergiara gravelbroek

Review: Lazer Cerro KinetiCore fietshelm

Laatste berichten

Het Vittoria Park is groot en uitdagend

Op bezoek bij Origine Cycles in Noord-Frankrijk

Nieuwe Canyon Speedmax CF 7 triatlonfiets heeft nieuwe cockpit

De Pinarello Bolide F HR met de nieuwe Campagnolo GHIBI 0.9 wielen

Kasseien van Parijs-Roubaix op de fiets, hoe voelt dat nou?

Vier nieuwe bagagedragers in de Acid Beam collectie

Rapha viert 20 jarig jubileum met de Flandrien collectie en limited outfit voor EF Pro Cycling tijdens de Ronde

Privacy overview.

• 1.1k Followers
• 8k Followers
• 110k Followers

Trek Bicycle Utrecht | Trek Bicycle Utrecht

• Shop address
• Koningsweg 27
• Utrecht, Utrecht, 3582 GA  Nederland
• 00310308993250
• Get directions

Google reviews

Ask us about, the best kids' bikes.

Check out our helpful information guide to ensure your child has the best ride possible!

Zorgeloos fietsen voor een vast maandbedrag

Wist je dat een fiets leasen super aantrekkelijk is voor ondernemers en werknemers? Behalve de fiets gebruiken voor woon-werkverkeer mag je er ook onbeperkt privékilometers mee maken.

The Fundamentals of Awareness

Check out the Fundamentals of Awareness to see the steps you can take to stand out on every ride.

Fiets inruilen? Dat kan!

Je kan nu je huidige fiets inruilen bij aanschaf van een nieuwe fiets! Dat is nog eens voordelig upgraden! Kom langs en met je fiets ontvang binnen 12 uur een bod!

e-bikes: everything you need to know

We’re excited to get people riding e-bikes, and we know there are lots of questions about them. Check out the link below or pop in to talk with our experts to learn more about what electric bikes are all about!

Electra bikes

We’re proud to carry fast, fun and fabulous bikes from the Electra line-up. Stop in today to take a test ride!

Our service packages

Want to learn more about what a bike tune-up includes? Explore our different service packages below.

Love it or we’ll take it back

If you’re not 100% happy with your purchase, bring it back within 30 days for a refund or exchange.

Low Price Guarantee

We’ll match any price for products we carry in-store or on trekbikes.com.

24-hour service for all makes and models

Our skilled technicians will service your bike within 24 hours, or we’ll give you a loaner for free.

Your new favourite bike shop

From first-time riders of every age to the seriously addicted, we’re here to help!

Hiking near Utrecht: 11 Most Beautiful Forest Hiking Trails for All Levels

• Updated on: April 11, 2022

This article may contain affiliate links.  For more information, please see our disclaimer  here.

Table of Contents

The Netherlands is our home country, and we love sharing its underrated gems that fly under the travel radar. One such place is the stunning forests just outside of the beautiful city of Utrecht. Although it’s the 4th largest city in the Netherlands, Utrecht offers many nature trips to escape urban life. In minutes you go from chaotic city streets to tranquil woodlands. 

If your Dutch itinerary leads you to this city, hiking near Utrecht in its nearby forests is a must-do during your visit. You’ll discover a world filled with blooming wildflowers, sparkling lakes, floodplains, and amazing wildlife. It really doesn’t feel like you’re just moments away from the city. 

To help you explore this beautiful part of our country, we’ve listed 5 incredible places for hiking in Utrecht. Each area has one or multiple walking tracks to give you many options for your hiking excursion. So, wander through the forest and find out why we love this piece of Dutch paradise so much. 

Best time for hiking near Utrecht

While each season in the Utrecht forests offers something unique, autumn (September-November) is our favorite time of year. The trees transform into a kaleidoscope of autumn colors, and it’s a spectacular sight to witness. Moorlands reach full bloom to create purple landscapes, and the leaves dazzle with shades of orange, red, and yellow. 

And the weather provides the perfect temperature to unwind without being drenched in sweat or clutching heavy winter gear. Autumn is a magical time to go hiking in Utrecht due to the breathtaking spectacle produced by Mother Nature. 

Also read: When is the best time to visit the Netherlands?

Video: Hiking Near Utrecht Inspiration

Wildlife & nature around utrecht

The Netherlands may not be on your mind when imagining wildlife, but the Utrecht forests make you think otherwise. Wander through its dense forests and grassy plains to witness a wide range of roaming creatures. 

Some of the animals you might encounter include deer, foxes, buffalo, badgers, and pine martens. Bird watchers are in for a special treat since the forests nurture beautiful species such as ravens and bluethroats. 

5 incredible areas for hiking near Utrecht

Utrecht is among the most picturesque areas for hiking in the Netherlands. The forests surrounding Utrecht allow hikers to connect with nature unlike any other province in our home country. Just a short drive from the city, you’ll encounter beech-lined avenues, heathlands, dunes, pinewoods, crystal-clear lakes, and beautiful wildlife. It’s one of our favorite Dutch destinations to unplug and escape the human world for a little while. 

Amerongse bos Hiking Trails

Amerongse bos captures the mystic of the Utrecht forests with its diversity of plant and animal species. It’s among the oldest sections of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park and has some rare climbs for the area. Trails in Amerongse bos seem to stretch for miles and sit beside many imposing beeches. The forest is located at 69 meters height on the ‘hoge Amerongen Berg’ the highest point of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Did you know that there are trees in this forest dates back to 1770.

1. Amerongse Berg

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

• Distance:  14.2 km (8.0 miles)
• Elevation gain:  192 m
• Duration:  3 hours 25 minutes
• Difficulty level:  Moderate
• Kind of trail:  Loop
• Starting point:  OVS Amerongen, open in Google Maps

This diverse path lets you marvel at beeches, rest under oaks, and take panoramic pictures along tree-lined avenues. Wildflowers carpet the fields, and birds flutter around its rich floodplains. There are several benches scattered on the trail to rest, and you’ll pass gorgeous monuments. You’ll also get a sensational view of the medieval Amerongen Castle.

Zeisterbos Hiking Trails

Nestled in Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park, Zeisterbos has some of the most peaceful old-growth forests in Utrecht. Animals flock to the woodlands, and the area feels light-years from the city. You’ll notice a rich array of plant species dotting the forest floor as you trek along the tree-lined pathways.  

2. Zeisterbos

• Distance:  6.9 km (4.5 miles)
• Elevation gain:  70 m
• Duration:  1 hour 38 min
• Difficulty level:  Easy
• Starting point:  Zeist, open in Google Maps

This scenic trail wanders through dense forests and along peaceful waterways. The thick undergrowth attracts wildlife, and you’ll likely spot deer or colorful bird species. Sunlight pokes through the pine and oak forests to provide some warmth as you marvel at the lush foliage around you. 

3. Bornia Red Trail

• Distance:  4.3 km (2.1 miles)
• Elevation gain:  36 m
• Duration:  1 hour 05 min
• Starting point:  Zeist, open in Google M aps

For a short hike to majestic forests and crystal-clear water, you can’t beat the Bornia Red Trail. The path courses through plains, shifting sands, bridges, and even goes through a tunnel. As an easy stroll and obstacle course rolled into one, the trail is a fun way to explore the Utrecht forest. Your final reward is the small, tree-dotted island where the pinewoods sparkle on the water’s surface. 

Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg Hiking Trails

4. Vliegbasis Soesterberg

• Distance:  12.5 km (7.2 miles)
• Elevation gain:  35 m
• Duration:  2 hours 15 min
• Kind of trail:  One Way
• Starting point:  Soesterberg, open in Google Maps

This former airbase is one of the coolest places for a hike around Utrecht. From Cold War-era buildings to untapped explosives, it’s a fascinating site surrounded by scenic nature. Two designated paths give you ample space to explore every inch of the military relic. 

5. Munitiepark

• Distance:  4.5 km (7.2 miles)
• Elevation gain:  54 m
• Duration:  1 hour 5 min

Trek through dense forest and discover concrete ammunition bunkers that held explosives years ago. The sounds of nature fill the air while you weave between the woodland trees. It’s hard to imagine that such a tranquil area once had such destructive force hiding within its beauty. If you’re wondering about the untapped explosives, the trails were marked safe for hikers. 

6. Estate De Paltz

• Distance:  3.2 km (1.2 miles)
• Elevation gain:  49 m
• Duration:  45 min
• Starting point:  Salzburg, open in GoSoesterberg, open in Google Maps

The surreal landscape around the magnificent De Paltz Estate lets you connect with nature. Around the property, the woodlands host lots of wild creatures and lush greenery. Listen closely, and you’ll hear the heart-warming sound of birds chirping and small mammals scurrying through the grass. The path’s beech-lined sections and verdant valley paint stunning portraits of the temperate forest within the park.

Interesting: 10 most beautiful national parks of the Netherlands

Leusderheide (Pyramid of Austerlitz) Hiking Trails

Did you ever imagine you’d find a pyramid in the Netherlands? The 36-meter high green pyramid dates to 1804 during the time of Napoleon. You’ll also notice a stone obelisk that sits atop the pyramid. Dense forests surround the historic structure, and several hiking paths course through the woodlands. Walk through fields of wildflowers, spot adorable animals, and see blooming purple heather during your trip. 

7. Austerlitz – Noordhout

• Distance:  7.2 km (4.8 miles)
• Elevation gain:  109 m
• Duration:  1 hour 45 min
• Starting point:  Woudenberg, open in Google Maps

This loop guides you around the thick forests that engulf the Pyramid of Austerlitz. You’ll wander into grassy fields in several areas and find beautiful homes, wild berries, and diverse flora. Staring from the open plains, you can take gorgeous panoramic snapshots of the forest. Gaze carefully at the ground, and you’ll notice the waves of purple heather taking form. 

8. Landgoed Den Treek-Henschoten

• Distance:  11.4 km (7.2 miles)
• Elevation gain:  169 m
• Duration:  2 hours 45 min
• Starting point:  Pannenkoekenhuis Bergzicht, open in Google Maps

While this Utrecht hike is one of the longest on our list, you’ll love the spectacular views of the Austerlitz Pyramid. The looped trail courses just beyond the pyramid for the perfect angle to take pictures of the obelisk. You’ll find several types of trees, colorful plant species, beautiful wildlife, and an enchanting pond. This scenic path offers an abundance of idyllic settings for a picnic surrounded by nature. 

Utrechtse Heuvelrug Hiking Trails

Just a 30-minute drive outside of Utrecht, Utrechtse Heuvelrug is a majestic national park with roughly 15,000 acres of diverse scenery. Walking around this stunning area reveals oak & beech forests, heathlands, and radiant flora. With more than 100 bird species and numerous reptiles, it’s among the best spots to view wildlife in the Netherlands. The enormous park is the country’s 2nd largest forest and contains Amerongse bos and Zeisterbos. 

9. Kwintelooijen

• Distance:  22.5 km (13.2 miles)
• Elevation gain:  405 m
• Duration:  5 hours 40 min
• Starting point:  Cuneraweg, Rhenen, open in Google Maps

If you’re up for a lengthy hike, Kwintelooijen winds through dense forests, plains, and tranquil waterways. Colorful trees engulf parts of the loop, and you’ll often spot animals near the lake. Whether you arrive for blooming flowers in spring or that eye-popping fall foliage, the flora puts on an epic display. You’ll also face a decent climb for breathtaking panoramas of the landscape. 

10. Hoog Moersbergen – Uitzichttoren de Kaap

• Distance:  6.8 km(4.4 miles)
• Elevation gain:  111 m
• Duration:  1 hour 40 minutes
• Starting point:  Woestduinlaan, Doorn, open in Google Maps

Roaming mostly through pinewoods, Ruiterberg offers spectacular images from the De Kaap View Tower. You’ll notice some trees are misshapen, and it creates a mysterious aura before reaching the open grasslands. When you climb up the tower, the 360° views make this one of the top places to admire the Utrecht forest. 

Discover the purple heathlands and shimmering lakes that make Utrechtse Heuvelrug such a gorgeous national park. The trail wanders through floodplains and interesting flora as you course around the water. Picnic tables on the path create the perfect setting for lunch as you listen to the sounds of nature. While hiking through the woodlands, keep your eyes peeled for animals or curious faces carved into the trees. 

You might also like: Thrilling outdoorsy things to do in the Netherlands

11. Helenaheuvel Kaapse bossen loop

• Distance:  10.3 km(6.7 miles)
• Elevation gain:  83 m
• Duration:  3 hours 05 min
• Starting point:  Tea House Helenaheuvel, open in Google Maps

In the middle of the National Park ‘Utrechtse Heuvelrug’ you will find the forest called ‘Kaapse Bossen’ which offers some nice hilly trails. The trail Helenaheuvel is in my opinion a must visit because of the diversity in nature and the history of this area. The hike is well marked with yellow signs along the way. As you start and finish at the Châlet Helenaheuvel Kaapse bossen / tea house, I would really suggest to get some sweets and a cup of tea/coffee before or after your hike.

Best tours hiking utrecht

Pin for later.

Thanks for checking out our guide on hiking near Utrecht along some beautiful forest trails. Hopefully, this has provided the information you need to plan a peaceful nature escape in the Netherlands. If you have experiences from the Netherlands or other tips to recommend, please leave a comment below.

Don’t forget to check out our Netherlands Travel Guide for other ideas to do when visiting the Netherlands. For more travel tips and inspiration, check out more of our travel tips . 

All Netherlands posts

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

One Incredible Day Trip to Rotterdam

Ultimate Guide Tulip Fields Netherlands 2024: Best Places and Activities By A Local

The Ultimate Best Time To Visit The Netherlands in 2023 + Events and Weather Chart

Deals netherlands, activities & tours, travel insurance, accommodations.

5x Breathtaking Faroe Islands Waterfalls

Top 5 Faroe Island Lakes to Explore in 2024

2024 Insider’s Guide: 12 Essential Tips for Driving in the Faroe Islands

Deals faroe islands, destinations, travel tips.

Trek Bicycle Utrecht | Trek Bicycle Utrecht

• Shop address
• Koningsweg 27
• Utrecht, Utrecht, 3582 GA  Nederland
• 00310308993250
• Get directions

Google reviews

Ask us about, the best kids' bikes.

Check out our helpful information guide to ensure your child has the best ride possible!

Zorgeloos fietsen voor een vast maandbedrag

Wist je dat een fiets leasen super aantrekkelijk is voor ondernemers en werknemers? Behalve de fiets gebruiken voor woon-werkverkeer mag je er ook onbeperkt privékilometers mee maken.

The Fundamentals of Awareness

Research shows that cyclists drastically overestimate the distance at which they are detectable by motorists. Check out the ABC of Awareness to see the steps you can take to stand out on every ride.

Fiets inruilen? Dat kan!

Je kan nu je huidige fiets inruilen bij aanschaf van een nieuwe fiets! Dat is nog eens voordelig upgraden! Kom langs en met je fiets ontvang binnen 12 uur een bod!

e-bikes: everything you need to know

We’re excited to get people riding e-bikes, and we know there are lots of questions about them. Check out the link below or pop in to talk with our experts to learn more about what electric bikes are all about!

Electra bikes

We’re proud to carry fast, fun and fabulous bikes from the Electra line-up. Stop in today to take a test ride!

Our service packages

Want to learn more about what a bike tune-up includes? Explore our different service packages below.

Love it or we’ll take it back

If you’re not 100% happy with your purchase, bring it back within 30 days for a refund or exchange.

Low Price Guarantee

We’ll match any price for products we carry in-store or on trekbikes.com.

24-hour service for all makes and models

Our skilled technicians will service your bike within 24 hours, or we’ll give you a loaner for free.

Your new favourite bike shop

From first-time riders of every age to the seriously addicted, we’re here to help!

• Go! E-bikes
• Accessories
• Find a retailer

ABOUT ELECTRA

• Electra history
• Flat Foot Technology
• Brand partners
• Electra Funbassadors
• Work at Electra
• Bike registration
• Manuals and user guides
• Newsletter sign-up
• Global distributors
• How to shop safely
• Privacy policy and terms of use
• Cookie policy
• © Electra Bicycle Corporation 2024

Worldwide Walkers

15 Things to do in Utrecht – A Complete City Guide

I clearly remember my time in Utrecht – eating freshly cut gouda cheese by the canal, learning about Utrecht’s interesting past in the central museum, and watching the whole city from above after walking the almost 500 steps to the top of Dom Tower. We honestly have so many amazing memories from Utrecht!

During our trip, we learned that there are so many great things to do and see in Utrecht that you can easily spend days exploring the city. In fact, we extended our visit with an extra day because we loved it so much here!

And today, while writing this city guide, we hope to do Utrecht justice.

We’re going to share how to get there, where to stay, and (of course) all the best things to do and see in Utrecht. When we’re done with this guide, we hope that you can see just how amazing Utrecht is, and that you want to visit this beautiful Dutch city yourself some day.

Enough rambling, now let’s begin this guide!

AFFILIATE LINKS DISCLOSURE: Dear Reader, this blog post contains affiliate links. If you click on them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here .

Things to know before you visit Utrecht

Before diving into all the best things to do in Utrecht, let’s take a moment to figure out how to get there and where to stay. If you already know, then skip ahead to the attractions.

How to get to Utrecht

From Amsterdam:

Utrecht is only located 45 kilometres away from Amsterdam, so it’s super easy to get there if you’re already in the capital of the Netherlands.

Just jump on the train from Amsterdam Central Station. The train only takes a small half hour and the ticket will cost around €8-9 depending on whether you buy it online or at the train station.

From Brussels:

It’s also super easy to get to Utrecht from Belgium – that’s actually the route we took! We booked a cheap flixbus from Brussels North Station to Utrecht Central Station.

The bus takes between 3-4 hours and prices start at €6, which makes it the most affordable option for those who are traveling from Belgium. Check out the bus time tables here: Flixbus.com

Where to stay in Utrecht

During our 3 nights in Utrecht, we stayed in 2 different hotels. We always use Booking.com when looking for the best hotels, and it was also here we found these 2 great hotels. We really liked both of them, so luckily we can recommend them to you:

BUNK Hotel Utrecht : This was without a doubt our favorite place to stay in Utrecht! The hotel is located in the city center, just a short stroll from Utrecht Central Station. The best part about BUNK Hotel is that it’s such a beautiful space! It’s an old church that has been converted into a modern hotel. Everything is new and up to date – and the food they serve in the restaurant is delicious! It’s also easy to meet other people here or to work from the hotel. Both private rooms and shared dorms are available – and pretty affordable as well. We cannot recommend this place enough!

Holiday Inn Express Utrecht : This was the second hotel we stayed at in Utrecht, although only for one night. It was located out of the city center and the price was higher, so in that way it wasn’t as great as BUNK Hotel. However, it’s a great option for those of you who are traveling by car since they have private parking. It’s also easy to get into the city center with public transportation from Holiday Inn, so this is not really an issue. The best things about this hotel are the big spacious rooms and the delicious breakfast!

15 best attractions & things to do in Utrecht

All right! Now that we’ve settled how to get to there and where to stay, it’s time to dive into the fun part of this blog post – all the best things to do in Utrecht!

1. Chill out by the canal

Utrecht is one of the most beautiful canal cities in Europe, so one of the best things to do is of course to enjoy the incredible waterway!

You can easily hike around the historical city center of Utrecht by following the 6-kilometer long canal that encircles it. But make sure to also walk down the “Oudegracht”, which is the old canal that runs straight through the city center. Here you’ll experience some of the city’s most incredible cityscapes!

Along Oudegracht, you’ll also find many bars and restaurants. Glenn and I ate at a Mediterranean restaurant named “Silk Road” and a German restaurant named “Kartoffel”. Both places were good and situated right by the canal!

One of the days, we also went to a cheese shop named “Zuivelhoeve Utrecht Lijnmarkt” and bought some freshly cut Gouda, a sausage, and some marmalade. So we made our own little tapas by the canal while watching the boats, kayaks, and paddle boards that went by. It was so cozy!

One of the best things is to do in Utrecht is definitely to chill by the canal.

2. Go on a canal cruise

Want to see the city from the canal while learning about it? One of the top things to do in Utrecht is to go on a guided canal tour.

You can find the canal cruise at Oudegracht 85 where the first boat leaves at 11 AM. There are two different tours: The 1 hour tour, and the 1,5 hour tour. The price ranges depending on the tour you do, and you can easily look up prices or book your canal cruise here .

Both canal tours will take you down the old Oudegracht Canal, but the difference is that the 1 hour tour will take you to the left outer canal whereas the 1,5 hour tour will take you to the east outer canal.

We unfortunately never got to do a canal tour in Utrecht, so it’s hard to recommend which tour is best. But if we were to choose one, we would go for the 1 hour tour where you supposedly get to glide under the massive shopping mall named “Hoog Catharijne”.

3. Walk up the Dom Tower

The Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in all of the Netherlands, and it’s the ultimate landmark of Utrecht.

It’s more than 700 years old, and it stands 112 meters tall! You really cannot miss this historical building on your trip to Utrecht.

There is currently a scaffolding surrounding the tower, which is going to stay until the restoration is done some time in 2024. However, it didn’t stop us from visiting the marvellous building. We learned all about the tower by visiting all the rooms in it, and we walked a total of 495 steps up to a 100 meter viewpoint. We actually got to see a higher viewpoint than usual because of the scaffolding!

So in a way, visiting the building while it’s under restoration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Or maybe it’s just me trying to put a positive spin on the fact that Utrecht’s landmark is covered in metal?

Anyways, we highly recommend a visit to the Dom Tower since it’s clearly one of the best things you can do in Utrecht! Plus, we really just loved to experience Utrecht from above.

Related blog post: How to Visit the Dom Tower

4. Visit the Dom Church

Another historical building you can visit is the Dom Church.

The iconic church was built on top of a Roman church, which burnt down in 1253, and the construction lasted nearly 3 centuries from 1254-1520. And funnily enough, the Dom Church actually wasn’t completely finished in 1520. At this point there was just no money or energy left for the project.

The Dom Church used to be attached directly to the Dom Tower. But in 1674, a tornado ravaged through the city and caused the nave of the church to collapse. It was never rebuilt – instead you have the Dom Square today.

You can easily visit the Dom Church on your trip to Utrecht. The church is open between 10 AM – 5 PM in the summer season (May to September) and between 11 AM – 4 PM during winter season (October to April). Notice there are different opening hours in the weekend.

Visiting the church is definitely one of the best free things to do in Utrecht. It’s a beautiful building that’s full of history, and right next to it you’ll find “Pandhof van de Dom”, which is the wonderful church garden you just can’t miss!

5. Explore Utrecht from below at DOMunder

One of the most unique things to do in Utrecht is visiting DOMunder. Here you basically go on a tour below the Dom Square and explore archaeological remains that are up to 2000 years old!

It honestly sounds like one of the coolest things to do in Utrecht! Unfortunately, we never got to experience DOMunder. The day we decided to visit, all of the tickets were sold out. But hopefully, we’ll visit Utrecht in the future and can update this blog post with more information!

Please feel free to share your story of DOMunder in the comment section below, we’d love to hear about it.

6. Don’t miss Utrecht Centraal Museum

One of the best things we did in Utrecht was visiting the Centraal Museum. We were lucky to visit the museum while an exhibition named “The Healthy City” was on display, which was one of the most interesting museum exhibitions we’d seen in a long time.

However, since museum exhibitions constantly change, we’ve no clue what’s on display today. But you can always be sure to find the more than 1000-year-old Utrecht Ship in the basement, and the Atelier of Dick Bruna (creator of Miffy/Nijntje) in the attic.

You can easily get your tickets here – notice that museums in Utrecht are closed on Mondays.

7. Other popular museums in Utrecht

Maybe the Centraal Museum doesn’t sound like your cup of tea – or maybe you’ve already been there? Not to worry, Utrecht has many other interesting museums you can visit. Check out the list below:

• National Railway Museum : Want to visit the highest-rated museum in Utrecht? Apparently, one of the most popular museums in Utrecht is the National Railway Museum. Here you can learn about how trains changed the world – after reading up on it, it honestly looks like a really cool museum! Get your tickets here .
• Miffy Museum : Are you traveling with small children? Then make sure to check out the Miffy Museum. In the museum, you will go through 10 different rooms that are fun and full of valuable learning experiences. Get your tickets here .
• Catharijneconvent Museum : Want to dive into medieval Utrecht? Then consider the Catharijneconvent Museum. Walk through the hallways of a medieval convent while admiring medieval art from the Netherlands – it’s even said to have a Rembrandt painting in there! Get your tickets here .
• Speelklok Museum : Want to try something different? Check out the Speelklok Museum where you are going to discover a world of self-playing instruments. This truly sounds like a unique museum experience. Get your tickets here .

8. Walk to Utrecht’s historical saw mill

Only a short 10-minute walk from Utrecht city center, you’ll find “Molen De Ster”.

Molen De Ster is a wood saw mill that dates back to 1739. The windmill in the picture below was placed on top of a saw barn and helped to efficiently saw wood with the wind power it yielded.

Today, you can visit Molen De Ster on Saturdays for a free guided tour between 1 PM and 4 PM. There is also a café on site, which is open from Wednesdays to Sundays. Either way, you should go and check out this old mill because it’s beautifully situated right next to a cozy canal, which is full of houseboats. We honestly loved our little walk to Molen De Ster.

9. Visit the Rietveld Schröder House

Are you into art and architecture? Then visiting the Rietveld Schröder House is a must thing to do in Utrecht!

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, this particular house has been a significant landmark for the Dutch artistic movement named “De Stijl”.

The house was built in 1924 and remained the private residence of Truus Schröder until her death in 1985. Today, the fascinating house is open for visits – but make sure to get your tickets beforehand on the official Rietveld-Schröderhuis website .

10. Go shopping in Hoog Catharijne Mall

One of the best things to do in Utrecht, for those who like to shop, is to visit the Hoog Catharijne Shopping Center. The mall is situated right between Utrecht’s Central Train Station and the old historical city center – you can’t miss it.

It’s a big shopping center where you’ll find everything from clothing stores, to cafés, to (my favorite) the Amazing Oriental Asian Supermarket – love it!

It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for new additions to your wardrobe or if you just need to escape the summer heat or winter cold for a while. The mall is open daily from 10 AM – 8 PM except for Monday and Sunday when the opening hours differ a bit.

11. Go for a swim in a nearby canal

Are you visiting Utrecht during a summer trip to the Netherlands? Then one of the best things to do is to go for a swim!

We saw some people swim in the outer canals, but we don’t know if this is legal, so we won’t recommend that. Remember there are a ton of boats in the canal that could hit you. So please don’t jump in the city canals unless a designated swimming spot is clearly marked.

However, we found this really cool online guide about how to escape the summer heat in Utrecht – read it here: Spots to cool down in Utrecht .

12. Find the murals around Utrecht

One of the coolest things to do in Utrecht is to see the murals. Scattered all over the city, you’ll find several pieces of street art that cover whole facades.

So make sure to keep your eyes open when you’re walking around the streets of Utrecht! We fell over a lot of impressive pieces during our trip – most of them by accident.

Check out the list and locations of these incredible murals here: Street art in Utrecht .

13. Discover Utrecht on a guided walking tour

Want to dive deeper into the history and hidden gems of Utrecht? Then you should consider doing a guided walking tour.

While we didn’t go for this option, it’s a great thing to do for those who wants to learn more about Utrecht. I mean, the knowledge you get from this city guide goes as far as what we learned during our trip.

So if you really want to get to know Utrecht, then you should consider teaming up with a local guide: Book a guided walking tour .

14. Visit Utrecht’s botanical gardens

The Botanical Gardens of Utrecht is located a 4-kilometer walk out of the city center, but you can easily take a public bus there. Just jump on the bus towards “Science Park” or ask at the bus station.

You’ll find the botanical garden is situated around an old fort that dates back to the late 19th century. The gardens are full of plants from all over the world, you can visit tropical greenhouses, and you can walk in one of Europe’s largest rock gardens.

Due to unlimited time, we never made it to the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Utrecht – but it’s always good to have something saved for next visit. The garden is open every day between 10 AM to 4:30 PM from March 1 to November 30. Ticket prices (2023) for adults are €8,5 and children up to 12 years old have free entry.

15. Take a trip to the nearby De Haar Castle

One of the most spectacular things you can do close to Utrecht is visiting De Haar Castle.

De Haar is the largest castle in all of the Netherlands, and it’s luckily located very close to Utrecht. So you can either get in a car and drive, jump on a local bus, or rent a bike and ride there.

The castle is a historical, beautiful building that dates back to the 13th century. However, the castle you see today is rebuilt between 1892 and 1912 for baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar – a man with an extraordinary long name.

The castle is beautiful in itself, but its surroundings make it even more so. De Haar is surrounded by a park with several gardens that cover more than 135 acres of land. In the park, you’ll find ponds, bridges, flower gardens, forests, a maze, a lake, and even deer.

There are two types of tickets to De Haar: 1) Only the Castle Park , or 2) Castle Park and Castle Entrance . So you can either choose to just have a stroll in the lush park, or you can go visit the magnificent castle.

By now, I hope you’re ready to visit Utrecht during your trip to the Netherlands! It’s such a picturesque city with so many great attractions and things to see. Luckily for us, we haven’t seen it all yet, and we cannot wait to be back for more in the future.

If you have any questions about things to do, how to get there, where to stay, or general wonderings about visiting Utrecht, then please leave a comment below.

Thank you for reading and happy travels!

Is it your first time in the Netherlands? Then check out: 25 things the Netherlands is famous for

Hi, I'm Cecilie! And I'm the writer behind our travel blog. I only write about places that we've personally been to and want to recommend to you. I'm passionate about creating truthful travel guides, which can help you plan your own trip. When I'm not traveling or writing, you'll find me on a hiking trail, in a coffee shop, or in a shoe store around Copenhagen.

Similar Posts

25 GREAT Things the Netherlands is Famous and Known for

Bicycles, cheese, and tulips. That’s just some of the many GREAT things the Netherlands is famous for. After spending just a couple of nights in the Netherlands during our summer…

How to Visit the Dom Tower – Utrecht’s Most Iconic Landmark

One simply cannot visit Utrecht without seeing the Dom Tower. Not only is the Dom Tower Utrecht’s finest landmark, it’s also the tallest church tower in all of the Netherlands!…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Flat Rock resident killed during ‘Fast and…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Things to Do
• Classifieds

Flat Rock resident killed during ‘Fast and Furious’ operation to be honored with 2,000 mile bike ride

Erik “Trek” Utrecht is about to depart on a 2,000-mile journey to honor slain border patrol agent Brian Terry.

Utrecht is a veteran of intense physical events, he’s completed a marathon, half marathon, two multi-discipline adventure races, two Tough Mudder events and a score of other small events.

That all pales in comparison to what he is about to undertake to raise awareness for the foundation that honors Terry, a former Lincoln Park police officer and a Flat Rock native.

Utrecht will ride his bicycle from Flat Rock City Hall, 25500 Gibraltar Road and travel more than 2,000 miles to the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station in Bisbee Az.

Terry, 40, was killed Dec. 14, 2010, during a gunfight in southern Arizona near the U.S.-Mexico border. He was part of an elite tactical unit investigating weapons’ smuggling by Mexican drug cartels. The operation, called Fast and Furious by federal authorities, allowed guns to be sold to criminals so they could be tracked back across the border.

The program was halted shortly after Terry’s murder.

The Brian Terry Foundation operates on donations from sponsors who make the many missions of the charity a reality.

By making the ride, Erik hopes to raise awareness and garner support and sponsorship from those who may have never heard of the foundation or about the life, death and legacy of Brian Terry.

Utrecht joined the United States Air Force in 2001 as a Military Police Officer and was stationed in Aviano, Italy as a Patrolman and Nuclear Security Team Leader. After two deployments to the middle east in support of Operation Enduring and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Utrecht was then selected as a Professional Military Educator at Ellsworth Air Force Base, in San Diego. While there he trained over 600 non-commissioned officer candidates as a college accredited instructor.

After nearly a decade of military service, he has returned to Michigan where he founded Blue Cell Protective Services as a Professional Investigator and is the Co-Owner of the Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute where he continues to teach.

More in News

Things To Do | 7 signs your child might be experiencing bullying

Crime and Public Safety | Huron police chief transparent on 2015 controversial hire, effort to warn others 

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Health | four years after shelter-in-place, covid-19 misinformation persists.

Health | Hospitals cash in on a private equity-backed trend: concierge physician care

Top 10 Best Food Trucks Near Utrecht, Utrecht

1 .  Trek Utrecht

This is a placeholder

“LOVE trek! And really, what's not to love? Food trucks : check Music: check Nice weather: even that...”   more

2 .  Thrill Grill

“So many dreams I overslept...... I thought this quote I happen to read on a blog (fatfatsheep) seemed so fittingly for this piece. You see, I really wanted…”   more

4 .  Lepeltje lepeltje

5 .  Frietfiets

6 .  Taiwan Style

7 .  The  Beef Chief

“One of the best burgers. I'm from the USA and have had my share a great burgers but I have to admit this was one of the best burgers I've had. Ever. I ordered…”   more

8 .  Madame Poulet

9 .  Friska

10 .  Spanish Churros

“The owners have the same Food Truck here during the darker months, Oliebollen is what they sell...”   more

• 1 2 3 4 5 Next Page

Can't find the business?

Adding a business to Yelp is always free.

Got search feedback? Help us improve.

More Nearby

Food Stands

Street Vendors

Related Articles for Business Owners

How to start a food truck

Write food truck business plan

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What are people saying about food trucks in Utrecht, UT?

This is a review for food trucks in Utrecht, UT:

"One of the best burgers. I'm from the USA and have had my share a great burgers but I have to admit this was one of the best burgers I've had. Ever. I ordered the KimChief and the sourness of the kimchi complimented the richness of the burger and cheese. The spicy Mayo and sriracha added the perfect amount of heat. The fries were delicious and huge... 1 order was easily split between the 3 of us."

See more reviews for this business.

• NETHERLANDS
• SWITZERLAND
• Expat events & festivals

TREK food truck festival

Visit Festival TREK 2024 food truck festival for a delicious day out in  Amsterdam ,  Rotterdam ,  The Hague ,  Utrecht ,  Den Bosch ,  Maastricht , Tilburg  and Nijmegen .

Don't miss Festival TREK food truck festival 2024

The freely accessible TREK festival (Dutch for "appetite") tours the Netherlands, calling at parks in a handful of Dutch cities .

• TREK Food Festival Rotterdam: Vroesenpark - May 9-12
• TREK Food Festival Utrecht: Griftpark - May 16-20
• TREK Food Festival Maastricht: Stadspark - May 23-26
• TREK Food Festival Nijmegen: Hunnerpark - May 31 - June 2
• TREK Food Festival Tilburg: Spoorpark - June 7-9
• TREK Food Festival Den Bosch: Petterlaarse Schans - June 28-30
• TREK Food Festival Amsterdam: Amstelpark - July 5-7
• TREK Food Festival The Hague: Westerbroekpark - August 30 - September 1
• TREK Food Festival Utrecht: Maximapark - September 6-8

A wide variety of mobile eateries transform city parks into huge open-air restaurants, brimming with delicious food and atmosphere! Besides the mouth-watering cuisine, you can enjoy great live music and theatre and much more.

The glass policy at TREK food festival 2024

Your first drink at the bar requires a purchase of an environmentally-friendly plastic glass. You will receive a rinsed glass when you return for a refill.

Food trucks at TREK

To give you a taste of the food trucks that will be appearing at  TREK food truck festival , imagine being able to wander around and find such a wide variety of fresh food all in one park, like French crepes, Dutch poffertjes, Dim Sum, Pad Thai, sushi, hotdogs, Mexican burritos, ice cream, Belgian waffles and basically anything you can imagine!

Mobile Menu

• Store Locator
• (800) 223-9132

NEW AT UTRECHT

Get inspired with these creative essentials.

AN ARTIST'S GUIDE TO UTRECHT GESSOES

Discover what makes Utrecht stand out.

BLICK STUDIO ALUMINUM TRIPOD TRAVEL EASEL

Made for travel and small studio spaces.

HOLBEIN DUO AQUA WATER SOLUBLE OIL PAINTS AND SETS

Rich, vibrant color that cleans up with soap and water.

THE ART OF PLEIN AIR

Capture the outdoors with portable, artist-loved supplies.

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Shop departments.

• Watercolor Paint and Gouache
• Oil Paint and Sticks
• Stretched Canvas
• Canvas Rolls, Panels, and Pads
• Stretcher Bars and Tools
• Natural Hair Paintbrushes
• Synthetic Paintbrushes
• Palette Knives and Painting Knives

ART PAPER & BOARDS

• Pastel and Charcoal Paper and Boards
• Printmaking Papers
• Graphite and Charcoal
• Pencils and Lead
• Colored Pencils

GIVE THE GIFT OF UTRECHT

Learn more about what makes utrecht so great, more ways to shop.