One of Flevoland's most extraordinary forests is the Horsterwold. Here you walk among towering poplars, ferns, mosses and creepers. And with a bit of luck, you might bump into a herd of Konik horses.
At over 3,700 hectares, Horsterwold is the largest continuous deciduous forest in the Netherlands. Here you will find a huge diversity of plants, trees and animals. At the heart of the Horsterwold lies the Stille Kern, an area of no less than 1,100 hectares, where you can wander everywhere in the footsteps of the herd of wild Konik horses, which ensure that the enormous variety of woods, grasslands and marshes in the Horsterwold is preserved. Oh, and don't you know what wandering means? Seeking and finding your own path, straying off the beaten track. And yes, this is allowed almost nowhere, but in the Stille Kern it is actually encouraged. So for an adventurous walk, this is the place to be!
There’s something for everyone to enjoy in this forest – whether you’re sporty or not, and whether you’re heading out for just an hour or want to spend the whole afternoon in nature. You can walk and cycle to your heart’s content, and there’s even a challenging mountain bike trail running through the Horsterwold. Many of these adventures start best at the TOP – the Tourist Transfer Point. It’s the perfect place to begin: you can park your car and head off on foot or by bike to explore the forest, for example by following one of the suggested routes signposted at the TOP.
More about the TOP in the Horsterwold
Fancy seeing the Stille Kern from a different perspective? Then head to the Tuurtoren ('Gazing Tower')! From the top of this 12-metre-high tower on the Horsterberg hill, you’ll get a perfect view of what the Stille Kern is all about: wide open nature and total tranquillity. Even the ANWB (Dutch motoring and travel organisation, similar to the AA in the UK) has taken notice – the Tuurtoren made it into their Top 5 most beautiful lookout towers of 2024.
More about 'the Gazing Tower'
Discovering the Horsterwold on your own is fun enough of course, but if you want to know more about the plants and animals found here, you should really go out with the Horsterwold forester. He also knows the best places to spot the deer and fallow deer of this area. You can go on safari through Horsterwold on foot, by canoe or in the (sustainable) eco-cart. Along the way, the guide will tell you more about the significance of the animals found here for the landscape.
Book your own eco-car safari with the state forestry
Sternweg 2
3898 LJ Zeewolde
