Landgoed Oostbroek

I’ve been doing some research online on short hiking - walking paths in Utrecht. Nature walks during the weekend has become a priority for me these days as it is known to be the perfect stress reliever (aside from being a healthy activity). I needed nature and space to empty my hectic mind since as of late I have been dreaming of work related stuff. I can’t seem to stop working at home in the evening and think all the time about work, and work, and work that when I wake up on a Saturday morning, I feel like I have a huge sack of rice nesting on my head.

A small barn or perhaps a tool shed in Landgoed Oostbroek just by the entrance near the Orangerie. I think these flowers are pansies?

Nevertheless, Dutchman liked the idea that we don’t have to drive far to do our healthy walking regimen. In the summer, which is about a few weeks from now, I plan to buy a new bike. My old one was stolen more than 2 years ago and since then I haven’t had the time to replace it. Well, we will use more the bike soon for these short weekend trips.

So this is what I have found -- a small piece of property called Landgoed Oostbroek that is now owned by the Stichting het Utrecht Landschap (NGO Utrecht Countryside/Landscape).

For more info: Utrecht Landschap - Landgoed Oostbroek


This goose couple made a lot of cluck-cluck noise when they realized I was nearing them. They sure did not want me around, ha-ha! I like the creativity and ingenuity put into this wreath - made of thin barks from trees.

We actually found the place with the help of my Nokia Navigator which was very impressive as the location is nicely tucked away from civilization. We had to pass through this small street that seems to be partially hidden from sight nearby the grounds of Utrecht University. I don’t think I would be able to easily find the property if I had put my trust in Michelin.nl or Route.nl so bravo to Nokia Navigator! It has served its purpose once again =)

So near yet so far - the highway is actually just beside the forest and this little bit of countryside paradise. Check out the sheep grazing across the still waters. Just a few meters further ahead you can see the A28 highway. Nature and man-made infrastructure are examples of great compromises in small countries like the Netherlands.

The whole area is about 90 hectares and is split into two by the highway A28. It’s quite an interesting experience to walk in the forests and listen to the sounds of happy birds chirping away and at the same time hearing the background noise of the cars passing through the highway.

Landgoed Oostbroek has short 1 to 2 kilometer walking trails which is very ideal when you just want to have a quick commune with nature.


This is the entrance to the walking trails in the Landgoed Oostbroek forest.

Unfortunately the Orangerie which is now a shop and information center was closed. A real bummer as I was looking forward to checking out their organic foods for sale and having tea there. However, the property was open for guests to stroll. There were a few people around too but it was relatively quiet for a public holiday.

It also poured hard that we stayed in the car for a few minutes until the dark clouds passed through. In the Netherlands, the weather can change in a matter of minutes, sometimes seconds.


There is a reason why the gates are purposely constructed this way: slanted = to make sure it is always closed as (a) wind is omnipresent in this country (b) to make sure domesticated animals like dogs will not get in (these areas are preserved where wildlife are suppose to freely roam around).

Nearby the Orangerie, I found a botanical garden full of herbs. It was so tempting to pick a few peppermint herbs so I can make fresh peppermint hot tea at home, or yeah why not Mojitos, but I restrained myself, he-he. Instead I took fotos of them.

More fotos here: Landgoed Oostbroek in Utrecht


Just a few fotos of the herbs in the botanical garden. I think they have like 3 to 4 dozens of herbs planted.

After the walk, Dutchman suggested we go to Rhijnauwen for dinner, home to the famous Theehuis Rhijnauwen and their mouthwatering variety of thin pancakes. I quickly agreed as I was starving and the place is just 2 kilometers from Oostbroek anyway.

For my next entry I will write about Rhijnauwen and Ameliswaard, 2 other lovely nature parks with short walking trails in Utrecht and the amazing and packed traditional Dutch pancake house nearby.