Wandelbos Groenendaal

Beautiful park in the heart of Heemstede. You’ll find long walking trails to enjoy, a big playground (admission 2.50) and a small petting zoo for the kids. We loved coming here as children, to learn about the forest or do treasure hunts. We would gather beukenootjes (beech nuts?) here, which we would bake into delicious cookies with the help of a recipe my mother once found in the NRC.
I went back today with my baby brother who is three now, and we had a great time going to the playground and the petting zoo. When he’s a little older, we’ll take him for walks here, and perhaps make beukenotekoekjes with him too.

I love this place. This small ‘forest’ is so nice! Whenever I’m in need of green and nature I go to this place. It is so lovely and 100 times better then Amsterdamse bos. It is never to crowded, especially the mornings are nice. There are all kinds of trees, birds (yay!) and other small forest animals. It is great to walk and relax. Inside the forest are many paths, big ones and small ones and you can easily spend a few hours strolling around this place. It is also very popular with dog owners. If you own a car and live around Amsterdam, I highly recommend going here, because it not a far drive from Amsterdam.
If you have kids; near the parking lot is a playground and a children’s farm with cute animals.