Old crafts on Utrechtse Heuvelrug

(48.0 km)

Discover Dutch crafts and trades during this cycling route through the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. This beautiful cycle route takes you past several Heuvelrug highlights and introduces you to some of the area’s traditional crafts. Departing from TCP Amerongen, you will soon reach the first crafts venue: the Tabaksteeltmuseum, or museum of tobacco cultivation. The route continues towards Maarn, crossing the woodlands of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park before ending in Veenendaal, where you can visit the Vriendschap windmill. From Veenendaal, you circle back to where you started in Amerongen.

Sheep and sustainability
Did you know that sheep are masters of soil improvement? By grazing they keep weeds under control, their dung is natural fertilizer for the soil and the seeds they carry along in their wool support biodiversity. Shepherd Daniel looks after his flock every day, helped by his dog Lily, on the wonder ful heathland of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug national park.

The miller's craft
The miller’s craft has also been recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2017. It’s a classic Dutch tradition with deep historical roots. You’ll find many windmills in the region that are still in operation today. Take a guided tour with the miller, experience the story of craft milling or buy a bag of mill flour.

Take a look

Take a look

Sights on this route

Starting point:

TOP Amerongen
Burgwal 6
3958 ER Amerongen

TOP Amerongen

Tabaksschuur Amerongen

Tobacco Cultivation Museum

Learn about the history of tobacco cultivation. At the Tabaksteeltmuseum, or Tobacco Cultivation Museum, tobacco fields transport you to the times of tobacco cultivation. Photographs and animation further explain this trade.

Landgoed Zuylestein

The main entrance of the Zuylestein country estate, which dates from the fourteenth century, is located on the Leersum-Amerongen border by the Utrecht-Arnhem secondary road (N225).

End point:

TOP Amerongen
Burgwal 6
3958 ER Amerongen

Directions

Starting point:

TOP Amerongen
Burgwal 6
3958 ER Amerongen

This route follows the cycle network junctions, identified by the white-and-green signs with two-digit numbers. Follow the numbers: 65 – 17 – 18 – 11 – 10 – 08 – 70 – 07 – 06 – 89 – 85 – 84 – 81 – 22 – 23 – 99 – 58 – 59 – 46 – 44 – 43 – 42 – 65.