Walking is one of the simplest ways to enjoy nature, clear your mind, or simply take a moment of peace while on the go. It’s also an ideal way to get to know a country. If you’re on vacation in the Netherlands, go for a walk and see the most beautiful gems of our country, filled with history, nature, and culture.
In the Netherlands, we have a wonderful way to create your own walking routes: the Nodenetwork. With this system, you can make beautiful walks in almost every province. Well-known routes like the Noord-Hollandpad (read our blog) and the Oranje-Nassau Pad (blog coming soon) also use this network.
Have you been walking in the city or nature? If so, you may have seen them: those wooden posts with a number and arrows on them. Before I started walking, I didn’t know what they were; now I see them everywhere. The Netherlands is the creator of this amazing network. The network for walkers and cyclists is also growing in Belgium. Other countries often choose different ways to mark their walking paths. For example, Germany primarily marks with a logo; think of the Eifelsteig or the Camino that you encounter all over Europe.
Back to the Dutch Node network for walkers. The network is extensive but not yet present everywhere in the Netherlands; about 80% of the Netherlands has a Node network. In places where it is not yet available, they are often working on it; it continues to grow. Each area has its own network with its own colors. Brabant has the extra feature of Nature Gates, where many walking Node networks start. Natuurmomenten and Staatsbosbeheer also have starting points in many places in the Netherlands. The starting points of Natuurmonumenten often have places where you can get a drink, eat, and gather interesting information.
The Node network is a well-thought-out system of walking routes established throughout almost all of the Netherlands. At a knot point, different paths converge, indicated by numbers or colors. You can easily walk from Node to Node by following the signs. Along the way, you may also encounter posts with only an arrow or number; that is not a knot point, but it is necessary to clarify which path you should take.
Choose a walk of your desired distance and note the numbers of the knot points you wish to follow. The signs will guide you along the way. The network is very flexible: whether you want to make a short walk of 5 kilometers (or shorter) or a day trip of 15-20 kilometers, everything is possible. You can plan a route using a walking map (available at ANWB or VVV), a paid website, or you can search online for a walk with the corresponding knot points.
There are various websites where you can create your own Nodewalk. We (OutdoorPins & More) use Route.nl for this. This is a free website, although you need a paid account to create your own route. Our advice: look for websites that offer free Node walks so you can easily get started. At the end of this blog, you will find links to some handy websites.
We are big fans of Node walks.
As an active walker, I regularly use the walking Node network. The convenience of being able to walk with just a piece of paper with numbers represents freedom for me.
Whether you’re a beginner walker or have been enjoying long hikes for years, the Node network offers something special for everyone. Put on your walking shoes, find your route, and let the adventure begin!
Our Photos
We take photos with our iPhone, mirrorless camera, or compact camera. We don’t edit our experience photos with colors or filters; all the colors you see are exactly as we observed them.
A Walking Pin
Would you like a pin as a souvenir? You can click here.
Other Hikes
If you’d like to read more about our hikes, check out our overview page.
Node Walks
Here you can find junction walks. Unfortunately, they are only available in Dutch.
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