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Pioneer trail - Discovery tour across Flevoland

(208 km)

Discover the Pioneer Trail!

After a scenic introduction through the water-rich Wieden region in Overijssel, this Long-Distance Walking Trail largely traverses land that didn’t exist eighty years ago. Over the course of 208 km, you walk from Steenwijk to Muiden. The Pioneer Trail tells the story of Flevoland, the largest land reclamation project in the world. This area breathes innovation and offers space for experimental landscape art, architecture, and design. Put on your hiking boots and explore Flevoland using this trail or one of the six additional circular walks. It's a journey through forests and wetlands, interspersed with stunning views of endless lowlands.

New Nature

Planners, designers, and pioneers cre…

Discover the Pioneer Trail!

New Nature

Planners, designers, and pioneers created this land. Agricultural fields, where pioneers transformed heavy clay into fertile soil, are interspersed with large stretches of nature. Expansive areas like the Oostvaardersplassen, the Knarbos, and the Horsterwold offer breathtaking views. You’ll also find green ribbons of vegetation lining the waterways and canals. Animals and plants have found their home here, and you’re likely to encounter deer, foxes, or birds of prey along the way. The stunning vistas, captivating patterns, and sense of peace will surprise you.

Experience Flevoland

Immerse yourself in the rich water heritage of the past and present, discover the most beautiful spots in Flevoland’s new nature, admire the impressive artworks along the route, and experience the benefits of the ultra-modern and sustainable agricultural methods that are unique to Flevoland.

Scan the QR Codes

Along the trail, you’ll encounter QR codes that you can scan. These lead to inspiring podcasts and videos where local experts share Flevoland’s story. Be amazed by its unique history, diverse nature, modern and organic agriculture, and iconic landscape artworks.

Maintenance and Management

The maintenance and management of the Pioneer Trail are made possible by volunteers and donors of Wandelnet. The creation of the trail, its facilities, and the trail guide have been supported by financial contributions from the Province of Flevoland and route partners: Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, Flevo-landschap, Batavialand, and Visit Flevoland.

The Route: App, GPX, and Walking Guide

The total trail is 208 kilometres long and divided into 11 stages, with an additional 6 circular walks. The entire route is marked in both directions with white-red markers by Wandelnet volunteers.

View the full route on the Wandelnet website. Be sure to use the Wandelnet app as your guide for walking the Pioneer Trail. In the app, you’ll find the most beautiful walking routes in the Netherlands, including Long-Distance Trails, Regional Paths, and NS-walks. The app can be downloaded via Google Play and the App Store.

Would you like to download GPX files for all 11 stages individually? Click the links below:

Stage 1: Steenwijk - Zuideinde (15.4 km)
Stage 2: Zuideinde - Vollenhove (15.3 km)
Stage 3: Vollenhove - Enservaart (13.1 km)
Stage 4: Enservaart - Ketelmeer (19.7 km)
Stage 5: Ketelmeer - Klokbekerweg, Lely (20.1 km)
Stage 6: Klokbekerweg - Hollandse Hout (21.7 km)
Stage 7: Hollandse Hout - Knarbos (21.7 km)
Stage 8: Knarbos - Zeewolde (18.1 km)
Stage 9: Zeewolde - De Eemhof (20.3 km)
Stage 10: De Eemhof - De Kemphaan (20.4 km)
Stage 11: De Kemphaan - Muiden (21.9 km)

Prefer a paper version? That’s also possible. The walking guide for the Pioneer Trail is available for €19.45 in the Wandelnet webshop.

For even more inspiration before you set out to walk the Pioneer Trail, watch the videos about the Flevoland section of the route on the Wandelnet website. These can also be viewed by clicking the photos below and then scrolling to the right.