Holiday apartment in Houten: cycle paths, water and forts

Houten combines broad green corridors, bodies of water and a fully segregated cycle-path network with the town centres and the open countryside. There are also excursions by the water, child-friendly play and learning locations, as well as historic forts of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Houten is part of the Kromme Rijnstreek, which can be explored via walking and cycling routes and also includes places such as Bunnik, Doorn and Wijk bij Duurstede.

Landscape and paths

Broad green corridors and bodies of water run through Houten, connecting residential neighbourhoods, town centres and the open countryside. The dedicated cycle-path network runs between residential neighbourhoods, facilities and town centres; the cycle connections are continuous and separated from other traffic. The green areas also offer opportunities for walking, playing and outdoor sports. For travel to and from Houten, there are two railway stations with train connections to Utrecht and destinations elsewhere in the Netherlands.

Water and nature

At Kooikersplas, visitors can fish and go boating. The municipality of Houten has several fishing spots, although a Vispas is required for fishing. Rietplas beach has a sandy beach and an adjacent grassy area for sunbathing. Since 8 July 2026, swimming at Rietplaseiland has been strongly discouraged; in Rietplas, swimming within the existing designated area has been stated by the municipality to be safe.

At Nieuw Wulven, a former branch of the Kromme Rijn has been restored. Animals living there include roe deer, hares, grass snakes, Eurasian jays and wood mice. Speelbos Nieuw Wulven is open year-round from sunrise to sunset and can be accessed free of charge. On the Eiland van Schalkwijk, paths lead through polder landscapes and the floodplains of the Lek; visitors can canoe, walk and cycle there.

Play and exercise

Speelboerderij Houten combines a petting zoo with a playground. At Speelbos Nieuw Wulven, children can climb, build and play with water. The Vijfwal sports circuit is almost five kilometres long and includes 16 exercises, sports equipment and a sprint course.

The Underwater Trail KIDS teaches children about trees, birds, aquatic animals and the forts of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie along the route through activities in a free booklet. At Fort Lunet aan de Snel, they can climb a hill, and at Gemaal Bokhoven they can check the water level. The Slagmaatpad in the countryside around Bunnik and Houten offers opportunities for discovery, learning and play, including crossings through meadows. The route passes Fort bij Vechten, goes past Nieuw Slagmaat farm and runs through Speelbos Nieuw Wulven.

History along the Waterlinie

Fort 't Hemeltje dates from 1877 to 1881 and is the last fort built as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. A walking path runs around the fort; there is also a spy route with activities for children. The tower of Fort Honswijk was built between 1841 and 1848 and is considered the oldest and largest tower of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Guided tours of Fort Honswijk are conducted by volunteers from Stichting Honswijk–Everdingen.

The 10-kilometre-long Lint en Liniepad runs through meadows, past forts and through the floodplains of the Lek in the Schalkwijk area. It connects the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie with historic defensive structures such as Werk aan de Groeneweg. Fort Werk aan de Korte Uitweg was built between 1876 and 1879 to support Fort Honswijk. There are klompenpaden and other short walking routes around the fort; cycling trips are possible in the surrounding area, and canoes can be rented at the fort.

De Roskam is a historic building in Houten that dates back at least to 1630. Its present appearance was created around 1735.

Culture and information

Houten's heritage map provides an overview of monuments, historic paths, historic field and parcel structures, and archaeological sites. Wereld van Weelde is an official VVV information centre and provides tourist information about the Kromme Rijnstreek, as well as walking and cycling routes and excursion destinations.

For further navigation around the area, you can visit the pages for Houten, 'T Goy and Schalkwijk.

For the higher-level travel overview: Utrecht.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

De Ronde Venen, Lopik, De Bilt, Bunschoten, Nieuwegein.